DEPUTY PROBATION OFFICER II (TREATMENT AND COUNSELING)

Position/Program Information

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES PROBATION DEPARTMENT

EXAM NUMBER:

F8609S-TC

FILING PERIOD:

Thursday, September 5, 2024, at 8:00 a.m., (PT)

Until the needs of the service are met and is subject to closure without prior notice

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT:

Open Competitive Job Opportunity

The Los Angeles County Probation Department is leading the way in rebuilding lives and making our communities healthier and safer. Working hand in hand with the Board of Supervisors and partner agencies, our goal is to promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism through a "Care First, Jails Last" approach.

Are you looking for a place to make a difference in people's lives? Are you passionate about helping and guiding youth? Are you a respected and creative member of the community?

The Probation Department is looking for highly motivated individuals who can assist and advise youth on ways to redirect behavior into pro-social channels, while assisting youth in managing their behavior through coaching, counseling, and acknowledging pro-social behavior. Do you see yourself making a difference in the organization's mission and the community? Then join our team!

CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS:
Deputy Probation Officer II Treatment and Counseling positions are employed at the Probation Department's Residential Treatment, Detention Services, and Secure Youth Treatment facilities throughout the County of Los Angeles. Positions provide treatment to mentally ill probation youth and their families, and act as team leaders, plan and implement treatment programs utilizing accepted casework skills and techniques, prepare reports and recommendations for use by the Probation Department and the court, and supervise juvenile hall, Secure Youth Treatment Facility (SYTF), or camp, or Dorothy Kirby Center probation youth, run small group sessions utilizing evidenced-based cognitive interventions on an as needed basis.

Essential Job Functions

• Conducts individual therapy to address issues including stress, substance abuse, and family dynamics following developed treatment plans for purpose of modifying behavior and to improve pro-social and vocational skills.
• Conducts daily group therapy following evidence-based practices using cognitive behavioral interventions to improve the psycho-social functioning of youth.
• Conducts psychotherapy in order to alleviate or decrease mental health symptoms.
• Conducts family therapy as part of the treatment plans to enhance family communication and increase positive family dynamics.
• Provides crisis intervention counseling to minors to deescalate potentially harmful situations and/or high-risk behaviors.
• Motivates and encourages minors to engage in scheduled activities and schoolwork utilizing the principles of motivational interviewing.
• Evaluates the effectiveness of counseling or treatments and the accuracy and completeness of diagnoses, modifying plans and diagnoses as necessary.
• Consults with other professionals to discuss therapies, treatments, counseling resources, or techniques to ensure the effectiveness of the minor's treatment plan.
• Acts as the treatment team leader and facilitates weekly team meetings.
• Ensures minors health, hygiene, and personal needs are met in consultation with the nurse, medical doctor, and the housing unit staff.
• Records services in accordance with the Department of Mental Health standards for behavioral health services in the Integrated Behavioral Health Information System.
• Develops treatment plans for the individual and family.
• Writes progress notes on and documents sessions.
• Transports minors to courts or other locations on an as needed basis
• Drives single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of more than 26,000 pounds as needed.

Requirements

SPECIALTY REQUIREMENTS:
A Master's* Degree in Social Work, Social Welfare, Psychology, Counseling, or Marriage, Family and Child Counseling from an accredited college.

Appointees must either be currently licensed or pursuing their licensure in their area of specialty with the California Board of Behavioral Science Examiners or the California Board of Psychology.

LICENSE:
A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job related essential functions. Appointee must obtain a California Class B Driver License within 90 days of appointment.

PHYSICAL CLASS:
4- Arduous: This class involves frequent heavy lifting over 25 pounds, often combined with bending, twisting, or working above ground on irregular surfaces. It includes those positions that occasionally demand extraordinary physical activity such as those in Safety positions.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:
*In order to qualify and receive credit for any college such as a Master’s degree or higher, you must indicate on the job application and attach a legible copy of the official diploma or official transcripts, or official letter from the accredited institution which shows the area of specialization and degree awarded with Registrar's signature and/or school seal with your application at the time of filing in NEOGOV or within 7 calendar days from the last day of filing or your application may be rejected. We do not accept password-protected documents. Ensure documents are unlocked before attaching to your application or sending to the exam analyst.

Candidates must meet the qualifications for designation as a Peace Officer within the Probation Department, including, but not limited to:

1) No Felony Convictions
2) Citizenship - Must be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law. Applicants will be required to submit their documents during the background process.
3) At least 21 years of age at the time of appointment

Appointees will be required to meet State-mandated CORE training requirements as defined by Standards for Training in Corrections (STC), within one (1) year of appointment, per STC guidelines.

Positions to this class will be required to possess a certificate of completion of a 40-hour introductory training course on the laws of arrest under Penal Code Section 832 and Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST).

WORK CONDITIONS
California Penal Code 830.5 states that Probation Officers are peace officers whose authority extends to any place in the state while engaged in the performance of the duties of their respective employment and for the purpose of carrying out the primary function of their employment or as required under Sections 8597, 8598, and 8617 of the Government Code. The authority and expectations of probation officers extends to:

To conditions of parole, probation, mandatory supervision, or post release community supervision by any person in this state on parole, probation, mandatory supervision, or post release community supervision. To the escape of any inmate or ward from a state or local institution. To the transportation of persons on parole, probation, mandatory supervision, or post release community supervision. To violations of any penal provisions of law which are discovered while performing the usual or authorized duties of the officer’s employment.(A) To the rendering of mutual aid to any other law enforcement agency. As Peace officers, under the authority cited above, sworn Probation staff may need to address an escape, maintain supervision needs or quell illegal activity. Such duties may involve physical use of force, including restraining youth and/or adults. Therefore, any Probation Peace Officer position duties must include the ability to perform physical restraints on any person under probation, mandatory supervision, or post release community supervision (i.e., Field or Institutions).

For more information regarding California Penal Code Section 830.5 please click Here

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION
A thorough background investigation will be conducted, which may include, but is not limited to, the following:

1) Live Scan and Criminal Records Check
2) Polygraph Examination or Computer Voice Stress Analyzer Test.
3) Psychological Examination
4) Medical and Drug Screening Examination
5) Credit Check
6) Physical Agility Examination

Candidates who are found unsuitable for employment will be removed from the eligible list pursuant to Civil Service Rule 6.04, including but not limited to the following:

• Who is addicted to the use of intoxicating liquors or narcotics or habit-forming drugs;
• Who is guilty of conduct not compatible with County employment, whether or not it amounts to a crime;
• Who has been dismissed or has resigned in lieu of discharge from any position, public or private, for any cause which would be a cause for dismissal from County service; or whose record of employment has not been satisfactory in the County service, or with any other agency or firm;
• Who has abandoned any position in County service or been absent from duty without leave of absence duly granted;
• Who has a made material false statement or who has attempted any deception or fraud in connection with this or any other civil service examinations;
• Who refuses to execute the oath as prescribed by law;
• Who refuses to be fingerprinted;
• Who refuses to take or fails to pass the prescribed medical examination

EXAMINATION CONTENT
This examination process will consist of a multiple choice and/or simulation assessment(s) weighted 100% assessing:

• Written English
• Following Instructions
• Numerical Calculation
• Achievement
• Professional Potential
• Responsibility
• Teamwork

Applicants must meet the Selection Requirements and receive a passing score of 70% or higher in order to be placed on the eligible register.

MULTIPLE-CHOICE AND SIMULATION ASSESSMENTS ARE NOT REVIEWABLE BY CANDIDATES PER CIVIL SERVICE RULE 7.19.

TRANSFER OF TEST COMPONENTS
Applicants who have taken identical components recently for other exams may have their responses automatically transferred to this examination.

This examination contains test components that may be used in the future for new examinations and your test responses may be transferred.

TEST PREPARATION
Study guides and other test preparation resources are available to help candidates prepare for employment tests. An interactive Online Test Preparation System for taking practice tests may be accessed on the Department of Human Resources website at http://hr.lacounty.gov/ . Please click on "Find A Job" and then "Job Search Toolkit." Test preparation information is located under the "Employment Test Assistance" section.

You can also access test preparation for the computerized portion of the test by going to https://www.shldirect.com/en-us/practice-tests/ . While the guides will help you prepare for the test, we advise you to review all related materials that you deem necessary.

NOTE: All notifications, including invitation letters, will be sent electronically to the email address provided on your application. Please add the below email addresses to your email address book and list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.

• Tatevik.Asulyan@probation.lacounty.gov
• klent@hr.lacounty.gov
• info@governmentjobs.com
• talentcentral@shl.com
• donot-reply@amcatmail.com

It is your responsibility to take the above steps to view correspondence. Los Angeles County will not consider claims of not viewing or receiving notification to be a valid reason for late test administration or rescheduling of a test component.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION
Applications will be processed on an as-received basis the names of candidates receiving a passing score in the examination will be placed on the eligible register in the order of their score group for a period of twelve (12) months.

VACANCY INFORMATION
The resulting eligible register for this examination will be used to fill vacancies located in the Los Angeles County Probation Department.

AVAILABLE SHIFT
Any

APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION
Applications must be filed online only. We must receive your application BEFORE 5:00 p.m., PT, on the last day of filing. Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person will not be accepted. Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" green button at the top right of this posting. You can also track the status of your application using this website.

Plan to submit your online application well in advance of the 5:00 p.m. PT, deadline. You may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty, you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.

Fill out your application completely. The acceptance of your application depends on whether you have clearly shown that you meet the requirements to qualify, as listed on this job bulletin. Provide any relevant job experience in the spaces provided so we can evaluate your qualifications for the job. For each job held, give the name and address of your employer, your job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed. If your application is incomplete, it will be rejected.

Important
Please note that all information included in the application materials is subject to verification at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of any information may result in disqualification or rescission of appointment. Utilizing verbiage from the class specification and minimum requirements serving as your description of duties will not be sufficient to demonstrate that you meet the requirements. Doing so may result in an incomplete application and you may be disqualified.

Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI)
The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Department of Human Resources is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

Social Security Number
Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.

Computer and Internet Access at Public Libraries
For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or the internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.

LA County Public Library may require prior reservations to use their computers. Please visit the following link at https://lacountylibrary.org/library-locator/ for more information.

No Sharing of User ID and Password
All applicants must file their application online using their own user ID and password. Using a family member's or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.

TESTING ACCOMMODATION
If you require an accommodation to compete fairly in any part of the assessment process, let us know by contacting the Testing Accommodations Coordinator at TestingAccommodations@hr.lacounty.gov. You will be required to complete the Request for Reasonable Accommodation form (Download PDF reader) (Download PDF reader) and provide supporting documentation from a qualified professional justifying the requested accommodation(s). The sooner you contact us, the sooner we can respond to your request and keep you moving through the process.

Department Contact Name: Probation Examinations & Recruitment Unit, Sworn Exams
Department Contact Number: (562) 940-2659
Department Contact Email: examinations@probation.lacounty.gov
California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922
ADA Coordinator Email: adarequests@hr.lacounty.gov
Teletype Phone: (877) 988-7800

For detailed information, please click here

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