Juvenile Institutions Officer- Extra Help

The Santa Barbara County Probation Department invites applications for Juvenile Institutions Officer – Extra Help. The Extra Help position represents an on-call position. Note: Hours worked per year are limited to 1,040 for the year and average 28 hours per week maximum. Hours are NOT guaranteed. Juvenile Institutions Officer, Extra Help staff should reside within one hour and 30 minutes of the facility to ensure a reasonable response time. Please take this information into consideration before deciding to proceed in applying for this position.

THE POSITION:

The primary role of a Juvenile Institutions Officer is to supervise, control, guide, routinely counsel and motivate a group of juveniles in detention and/or treatment facilities under the supervision and direction of a full time Juvenile Institutions Officer, Senior Juvenile Institutions Officer and or Senior Deputy Probation Officer.

Examples of Duties
– Orients, observes, supervises, controls, motivates, and counsels juveniles in a detention and/or treatment facility; enforces disciplinary rules and policies of the institution/facility; delivers medication as prescribed; particpates in individual, group, or crisis counseling and facilitates the application of certain programs.

– Plans, organizes, and coordinates work project details, recreation, and leisure activities for juvenile detainees; ensures juveniles complete activities within allotted timeframes.

– Observes and writes reports on the attitude, behavior, and adjustment of juvenile detainees; and enters pertinent narrative and statistical information into computer programs.

– Receives and releases juveniles; supervises visits between parents and juveniles; supervises juveniles who are on alternative release status or on probation and living at home.

– Searches minors and their rooms for safety and security reasons; physically restrains assaultive juveniles; secures and transports detained juveniles.

Employment Standards
– Completion of 90 transferable quarter units or 60 transferable semester units of college coursework, including 14 quarter or 9 semester units in sociology, psychology, criminology, or a related field that would provide the required knowledge and abilities; OR

– A combination of training, education and experience equivalent to that listed above that would provide the required knowledge and abilities (an example of equivalent experience would be working with juvenile offenders as a counselor in a group home).

Appointees must be at least 21 years of age.

Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License and current automobile insurance. Driver’s license must be kept valid throughout the term of employment. Incumbents must be able to travel independently.

Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship.

Must meet minimum peace officer standards as specified in Government Code Sections 1029 and 1031 including, but not limited to: not currently on probation for a misdemeanor; no prior felony convictions (unless fully pardoned); good moral character as determined through a background check (including a polygraph examination); and no physical, mental or emotional condition which might adversely affect the powers of a peace officer.

All appointees must successfully complete 40 hours of intense, on-the-job training, which focuses on facility security and operations, psychological principles and techniques applicable to the care and rehabilitation of juvenile offenders, and the growth, development, needs and problems of minors. Additionally, within the first year of hire appointees must successfully complete 160 hours of Juvenile Institutions Officer Core training, 40 hours of 832 PC training and 24 hours of departmental specific training.

Knowledge of: standard English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage; college-level report writing; standard computer applications used in an office; basic math including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers and percentages.

Ability to: read and comprehend material at college level; learn and apply psychological principles and techniques applicable to the care and rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents; learn about the growth, development, needs, and problems of minors; gain the confidence and respect of juveniles; supervise juveniles; perceive, evaluate, and de-escalate or resolve tense group situations; make rational decisions; observe, recall and document behavior; note behavior patterns and behavior changes for signs of potential problems; read, understand and apply laws, regulations and procedures; enforce rules while maintaining flexibility; counsel and motivate individuals and groups and provide support and control as needed; work with juveniles in an assertive, calm manner; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; work well under pressure; work in a structured, regimented environment; meet deadlines; maintain confidentiality and impartiality; maintain professional demeanor even when dealing with hostile or abusive individuals; use a computer keyboard.

Supplemental Information
Desirable Qualifications:

Knowledge of adolescent psychology, juvenile justice, juvenile delinquency, counseling, basic knowledge of the criminal justice system.

Education: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university with related course work focus is most desirable along with bilingual Spanish skills.

The background process will include:

• Completion of the Personal History Statement and associated documents and waivers
• Fingerprint submission
• Credit/Financial check
• Medical evaluation
• Polygraph examination
• Psychological evaluation

Please be advised that the following circumstances are cause for disqualification:

• Use of any controlled substances within one year and within a specified time frames after one year depending on the drug.
• Any felony convictions
• Convicted for any sex offense with a victim.
• Conviction with elements of violence within the past five (5) years.
• Conviction for crimes against property within the past five (5) years.
• Felony conviction reduced to a misdemeanor within the past five (5) years.
• Evidence of alcohol or substance abuse dependency within the past 24 months which demonstrates impairment must be accompanied by a minimum of 24 months sobriety.
• Presently on probation (formal or informal).
• Domestic violence

The ideal candidate will possess:

• Excellent command presence
• Strong written and oral communication
• Reputation for honesty and trustworthiness
• Good moral character
• Credibility
• Integrity