Juvenile Institutional Officer

Introduction
THIS IS A NEW CONTINUOUS EXAMINATION. The eligible list resulting from this examination will cancel any existing list and may last approximately one year, but can be extended. This examination may be reopened as necessary and the names of additional candidates merged onto the existing list according to examination score.
Supplemental Questionnaire: A properly completed Supplemental Questionnaire must be submitted with each application.
Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires must be in the possession of the Human Resource Services Department by 5:00:00 p.m. on the Last Day for Filing. Failure to submit the Application or Supplemental Questionnaire will result in disqualification.
Applications and Supplemental Questionnaires will only be accepted on-line.
This is a continuous filing exam with filing deadlines on the following dates at 5:00:00 PM:

• January 31, 2024
• March 29, 2024
• May 31, 2024
• July 31, 2024
• September 30, 2024
• December 2, 2024

***If you have previously applied or started an application for the Juvenile Institutional Officer, Examination #23-6216-02 , to reapply for this recruitment, please contact the examination analyst, Tracy Gonzalez, at to have your previous application released back to you.***
*The scores and dispositions of candidates for this examination will be merged with previous exam participants. If you previously submitted an application and choose to reapply, your new score/disposition will replace your current disposition. If you do not wish to change your score/disposition, you are not required to reapply to this examination. Candidates who received a qualifying score cannot participate in the examination within six (6) months of their disposition notice. Candidates who did not qualify may reapply sixty (60) days from their disposition notice. Candidates who failed any of the exam components (i.e., oral exam), may reapply sixty (60) days from the exam date.*
MEN, WOMEN, MINORITIES, AND MILITARY VETERANS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
Veterans who pass the examination process and provide a DD214 that meets the County's criteria will receive additional points added to their final overall score.
Please read the recruitment announcement in its entirety for important dates and information.
DESCRIPTION
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Alameda County Probation Department is to protect the public safety by providing supervision, services, support and opportunities to our clients on behalf of the people of Alameda County through quality supervision, leadership, services and effective partnerships.
THE DEPARTMENT
The Alameda County Probation Department is an essential element of the County's system of public protection and human services. The Department's role is to reduce the impact of crime in the community by providing accurate, comprehensive and timely information and recommendations to the Courts, providing community-based sanctions and treatment for offenders, and working cooperatively with law enforcement agencies and community organizations with similar objectives. The Department provides a wide range of mandated and discretionary investigative, advisory, and supervisory services to adult and juvenile probationers pursuant to State law and the County Charter.
For more detailed information about the department, visit: Alameda County Probation Department.
THE POSITION
Under general supervision, act as group leader in directing the activities of youths detained in Juvenile Institutions; to supervise and counsel a group youth placed in Probation facilities; may provide lead direction to entry level Juvenile Institution Officer Associates; and perform related duties as required.
The class of Juvenile Institutional Officer is a sworn, journey level in the Juvenile Institutional Officer series. Positions in this class may be located in all Probation areas including, but not limited to, Juvenile Hall, Camp Sweeney, the Court Staging Area, the Weekend Training Academy, Global Positioning Satellite (GPS), Home Supervision, the therapeutic response unit, intake, central control, and medical escort. Juvenile Institutional Officers are assigned a group of youths in one of the Probation Departments' facilities, and are responsible for all aspects of care, custody and control, and short-term counseling to youths. They may also be assigned to intensive individual and group counseling in the Probation facilities. For example, at Camp, the Juvenile Institutional Officer coordinates recreational and work programs, participates in educational and counseling programs and is regularly assigned group work with a focus on changing anti-social behavior and developing self-responsibility. The Juvenile Institutional Officer may be utilized as a lead counselor as needed.
For more detailed information about the job classification, visit: Juvenile Institutional Officer (#6216).
To learn more about the exciting work of our Juvenile Institutional Officers, please watch the short video below.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EITHER I
Experience:
The equivalent of one year of full-time experience in the classification of Juvenile Institutional Officer Associate or in an equivalent or higher level probation classification in the Alameda County classified service.
OR II
Experience:
The equivalent of one year of full-time experience in the classification of Juvenile Institutional Officer Intermittent in the Alameda County classified service.
OR III
Experience:
The equivalent of two years' full-time experience in correctional casework or in recreational/correctional group work.
License:
Possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license. May be required to obtain a Class "B" driver's license. A good driving record according to DMV negligent operator guidelines and qualifications for automotive insurance.
Special Requirements:
Applicants must be at least 21 years of age at the time of appointment.
Persons appointed to positions in this class in the Probation Department must meet the minimum standards for a Peace Officer (Sec. 1031 Government Code).
Applicants are not required to be a US citizen, but must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law (Per SB 960).
Any felony conviction is disqualifying.
Graduation from high school, a satisfactory score on a G.E.D. test or passing a California High School proficiency examination.
Fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal records.
Found free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a Peace Officer, as determined by a licensed examining authority in accordance with the California Government Code.
Within the prescribed time limit after date of appointment, satisfactory completion of training for Juvenile Institutional Officers as specified by the California Board of State and Community Corrections, Peace Officer Standards and Training PC 832, PC 6035 and PC 6036 as required and any other training required under law.
Must be available to work all shifts and locations.
NOTE: The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.
KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
The most suitably qualified candidates will possess the following competencies:
Knowledge of:

• Principles of general psychology and child development, including behavior patterns of youth and the causes of youth delinquency.
• Principles of group and individual counseling work as applied to youth.
• Standard health and first aid practices.
• Recreational and leisure time activities.
• Procedures involved in the care, safety, and custody of youth.
• Basic laws and codes governing local welfare, penal, and institutional practices and procedures.
• Local welfare, correctional, and recreational facilities.

Skill in:

• Physically restraining youths.
• Administering first aid.
• Applying restraint devices such as handcuffs, etc.
• The appropriate use and deployment of pepper spray.

Ability to:

• Plan, supervise and direct the activities of a group of youth.
• Maintain firm discipline in a fair and tactful manner.
• Aid in the rehabilitation of youth.
• Secure and maintain the cooperation of coworkers and subordinates.
• Supervise housekeeping and recreational activities appropriate to a detention setting.
• Write accurate and meaningful observation and other types of reports.
• Maintain group control in stressful situations.
• Diffuse crisis situations in a calm and positive manner.
• Work effectively with a variety of youths and adults from various ethnic cultures, social and economic backgrounds.
• Communicate effectively with individuals or groups both orally and in writing.
• Read and interpret departmental policy and procedures.
• Make constructive and appropriate decisions.
• Exercise sound judgment.
• All staff are expected to be fully alert while on duty.

EXAMINATION COMPONENTS
THE EXAMINATION WILL CONSIST OF THE FOLLOWING STEPS:

1. A review of applicants' applications and supplemental questionnaires to verify possession of the minimum qualifications. Those candidates who possess the minimum requirements for the class will move on to the next step in the examination process.
2. A review of the supplemental questionnaire for preliminary background screening.
3. A review of the supplemental questionnaire to determine the best qualified. Those candidates considered the best qualified will move on to the next step in the examination process.
4. An oral examination which will be weighted as 100% of the candidate's final examination score.
5. Candidates passing the oral examination will move on to the next steps of the Probation Department's selection process.
6. All candidates must successfully complete the following (after passing oral examination):

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION includes a thorough check of police records, personal, military, and employment histories, and inquiry of persons who know you and evaluate whether you: respect the law and rights of others; are dependable and responsible; have demonstrated mature judgment in areas such as the use of drugs and intoxicants; are honest; and are a safe driver.
After a conditional offer of employment has been accepted, appointee must successfully complete the following:
PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION is given by a licensed clinician. You will be evaluated on the psychological factors related to successful performance to determine if you are presently suited for the difficult and stressful job of Juvenile Institutional Officer Associate.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION- The appointee must satisfactorily complete a probationary period.
Candidates must attain a qualifying rating on each portion of the examination
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED EXAMINATION STEPS.
Alameda County utilizes a Civil Service Selection System founded on merit. Such a system is competitive and based on broad recruitment efforts and equal opportunity for qualified applicants to test in an examination process designed to determine the qualifications, fitness and ability of competitors to perform duties of the vacant position. Many of our recruitments are targeted and specific to the needs of a current vacant position, in which case, the eligible list may be exclusively used for that current vacant position. Other recruitments many be more broadly used for both current and future vacancies, or for other alternate jobs with comparable scopes of work.
To learn more about our recruitment and selection process, please visit the "What You Need to Know" section of our website, hrs.alamedacountyca.gov.
RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PLAN
Applicants will be informed via email with reasonable notice in advance of any examination process which will require their attendance. The following dates are tentative and subject to change based on the needs of the Agency.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT PLAN: For applications submitted by the September 30, 2024 filing deadline
Deadline for Filing:
Continuous
Review of Minimum Qualifications:
Continuous Review of Supplemental Questionnaire for Preliminary Background Screening:
Continuous
Oral Examination:
Week of December 2, 2024
TENTATIVE SELECTION PLAN:
Background Investigation
Psychological Examination
Medical Examination
dates will vary
**updated 4/12/2024, TG **updated 6/4/2024, TG **updated 8/21/2024, TG **updated 10/8/2024, TG
Continuous: All applications must be completed according to the instructions. Incomplete applications, and resumes in lieu of properly completed applications, will not be considered. Applications and supplemental questionnaires will only be accepted electronically, via the County's online application system by 5:00pm on the deadline for filing. Please note that completing an application template is not the same as submitting an application for this position. To apply for the position, select the "Click Here to Apply" link on the announcement.
*The combined oral examination/hiring interview, in addition to establishing an eligibility list, may serve as the final selection interview for vacancies in this classification.
This is a new continuous examination. This examination may be reopened as necessary and the names of additional candidates merged onto the existing list according to the examination score.
*** The upcoming test dates below applies to applications received by the December 2, 2024 filing deadline***
Tuesday, December 10, 2024: Review of Applications for Minimum Qualifications
Thursday, December 19, 2024: Review of Supplemental Questionnaire for Preliminary Background Screening
Week of January 27, 2025 : Oral Examination Interviews: Those passing the written exam will be invited to participate in an evaluation conducted by an interview panel (the oral exam may include situational exercises).
Veterans' Preference
Each applicant entitled to veterans' preference as provided in the Alameda County Civil Service Rules who has served in the armed forces of the United States during a war or campaign as defined by Section 1897 of the Government Code of the State of California and who has been discharged or released under honorable conditions and wishes to claim such preference shall do so by presenting proof of his/her honorable discharge (DD214) from the armed forces of the United States, showing the dates of his/her military service. Each applicant entitled to Disabled Veterans' points as provided in the Alameda County Civil Service Rules, who wishes to claim such preference shall additionally present proof of military-connected disability from the United States Veterans Administration.
U.S. military veterans (including applicants already employed by the County of Alameda) intending to claim preferential consideration pursuant to Alameda County Civil Service Rules must present proof of honorable discharge or release (DD Form 214) concurrent with this application but in no event later than the final step in the recruitment process (usually the oral interview.)
To claim veteran's preference, proof must be presented during check in on the date of the applicant's scheduled oral interview. Failure to submit proof by this date will forfeit the applicant's claim to veterans' preference in such examination.
Candidates will be required to present a valid photo I.D. for admittance to each phase of the examination, i.e., driver's license, military I.D., Passport, or California Department of Motor Vehicle's I.D. card.
WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE ANNOUNCED RECRUITMENT & SELECTION PLAN
Alameda County and the Human Resource Services Department will make reasonable efforts in the examination and/or selection process to accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities and/or medical conditions in accordance/compliance with the State Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Alameda County's Reasonable Accommodation Policy and applicable statutes. To request an accommodation due to a disability/medical condition during this or other phases of the examination/selection process, please contact the assigned Human Resources Representative listed on the job announcement before the last date of filing . Alameda County requires applicants to provide supporting documentation to substantiate a request for reasonable accommodation. In order to qualify for a reasonable accommodation, applicants must have a disability/medical condition pursuant to the ADA, FEHA and applicable statutes.
For more information regarding our Reasonable Accommodation procedures, please visit our website: hrs.alamedacountyca.gov.
BENEFITS
Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being. These benefits include but are not limited to*:
For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical - HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental - HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1st United Services Credit Union

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement. This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.
Conclusion
All notices related to County recruitments for which you have applied will be sent/delivered via email. Please add @jobaps.com , @acgov.org , and as accepted addresses to any email blocking or spam filtering program you may use. If you do not do this, your email blocking or spam filtering program may block receipt of the notices regarding your application for recruitments. You are also strongly advised to regularly log into your County of Alameda online application account to check for notices that may have been sent to you. All email notices that will be sent to you will also be kept in your personal online application account. You will be able to view all of your notices in your online application account by clicking on the 'My applications' button on the Current Job Openings page.
Please take the steps recommended above to ensure you do not miss any notices about a recruitment for which you have applied. The County of Alameda is not responsible for notices that are not read, received or accessed by any applicant for a County recruitment.
NOTE: All notices are generated through an automated email notification system. Replies to the email box and are routed to an unmonitored mailbox. If you have questions please go to our website at hrs.alamedacountyca.gov. You may also contact the Human Resources Analyst listed on the bulletin for the recruitment for which you have applied.
Tracy Gonzalez | Human Resources Analyst
Human Resource Services, County of Alameda
510-272-5085 | Email:
hrs.alamedacountyca.gov.
Disaster Service Worker
All Alameda County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to report to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Alameda County has a diverse workforce, that is representative of the communities we serve, and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance and business need. Alameda County does not discriminate in employment on the basis of, race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors protected under federal, state and local law. Alameda County celebrates diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive, and welcoming workplace environment.