8530-Deputy Probation Officer SFERS Exam Announcement

 Job Description: Deputy Probation Officer (SFADP and SFJPD)

INTRODUCTION

Under supervision conducts general and presentence investigations; investigates and supervises

adult or juvenile defendants or court wards; prepares various reports for the courts; prepares

recommendations and assists the courts in detention decisions and recommendations for

sentencing decisions; supervises and counsels probationers to assist in complying with the court

orders educational and vocational services and family counseling; performs intensive casework

management; assists in the training of new and reassigned officers; performs a variety of

specialized assignments; and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This class is unique in that it encompasses a wide range of levels from beginning through the fully

experienced journey level. Positions in the class exist in both Adult and Juvenile Probation

departments and perform assignments that require a high degree of ability and initiative as

experience is gained. It is distinguished from the Supervising Probation Officer Juvenile Court and

Supervising Adult Probation Officer which are first line supervisory classes.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position may coordinate the work of clerical/technical personnel and may be required to

supervise other less experienced Deputy Probation Officers in the absence of the Supervising

Probation Officer.

Working Conditions

Deputy Probation Officers may be required to work nights weekends and holidays with hours and locations determined by departmental needs. Officers at the Adult Probation Department may need to carry firearms. Newly hired Adult Probation Officer must complete mandatory training including firearms training during their 12month probationary period.

Ethical conduct is critical as offduty behavior can impact employment status. Officers must also meet all requirements to maintain peace officer status under California Government Code regulations. The exam process for this role creates eligible lists to fill vacancies at both the Adult and Juvenile Probation Departments.

MAJOR IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES

According to Civil Service Commission Rule 109 the duties specified below are representative of the range of duties assigned to this job code/class and are not intended to be an inclusive list. An 8530 Deputy Probation Officer may be assigned to any of the department divisions/units or locations.

Deputy Probation Officers serve an essential role in supervising and rehabilitating adults and juveniles in the justice system. This position involves working with individuals who may face significant challenges including mental health issues aggressive behavior or homelessness. Officers conduct interviews and investigations visit individuals in custody and gather extensive background information to evaluate the circumstances and needs of those under supervision. They also prepare detailed reports and recommendations to assist courts in detention sentencing and case management decisions.

In their daily work officers may make arrests conduct home and jail visits and represent the department in court to address supervisionrelated matters. They also interact with a variety of stakeholders including law enforcement victims families employers and social service agencies to ensure a coordinated approach to rehabilitation and accountability. A key aspect of the role includes counseling probationers monitoring compliance with court orders and connecting individuals to resources such as educational programs substance abuse treatment and family counseling.

Officers may participate in specialized assignments targeting highrisk populations including gangrelated offenders habitual offenders or those involved in drugrelated activities. They may also serve on task forces and collaborate with community organizations to address broader public safety concerns. Beyond direct casework officers assist in training new staff and may take on supervisory responsibilities as needed.

IMPORTANT AND ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGES SKILLS AND ABILITIES

To succeed as a Deputy Probation Officer candidates must possess a deep understanding of the causes of crime and delinquency as well as the principles of supervision and counseling. Knowledge of state federal and local laws is essential along with familiarity with social casework methods cultural dynamics and community resources. Proficiency in information systems and the ability to work within an automated environment are also crucial.

Key abilities include effective communication problemsolving and decisionmaking as well as the capacity to manage a caseload prioritize tasks and maintain confidentiality. Officers must demonstrate selfawareness interpersonal skills and the ability to navigate challenging situations with professionalism and tact. Physical fitness and the ability to use a firearm (APD Only) selfdefense techniques restrain individuals and apply restraint devices like handcuffs are also necessary for the role.

NOTE: The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties in the Examples of Duties section of this recruitment.

Knowledge of:
Elementary psychodynamics of behavior and modes of adjustment.
Interviewing techniques and effective application of interviewing.
Training and learning theory techniques including recreational activity.
Principles methods procedures and facilities used in modern progressive correctional programs including methods of social casework.
Concepts and effective techniques in facilitating sociocultural relationships.
Social economic and psychological factors forces and trends relating to crime delinquency and social adjustment.
Social and correctional case and group work.
Developmental theory and social theory relating to rehabilitation.
Counseling and guidance principles and principles of normal and abnormal psychology and personality theory.
Theory principles and trends of probation work.
General provisions of the law relating to the legal rights and obligations of adults and juveniles.
Techniques and methods of investigating and supervising adult and juvenile offenders.
Operation of Municipal and Superior Courts.

Skills:

Strong interpersonal and critical thinking skills.

Have high ethical standards.

Ability to:

Verbally communicate sufficient to communicate with a variety of people in various ethnic educational and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Effectively apply interviewing skills including listening skills.
Speak publicly including planning and preparation of material and effective presentation principles of group work and group dynamics.
Proofread for grammar punctuation spelling and typographical errors.
Define problems collect information establish facts and draw valid conclusions to formulate recommendations and solve a wide variety of intellectual and practical problems.
Write clearly accurately and concisely using grammatically correct English to convey ideas in written reports letters memoranda etc.
Read and interpret complex technical and legal documents in English such as codes psychological and medical documents manuals etc.
Be flexible and tolerant in adjusting to changes in workload assignments and work under the stress of meeting deadlines.
Demonstrate interpersonal techniques relating to establishing rapport tactfulness controlling stress gaining confidence and dealing with emotional stress.
Follow oral and written instructions.
Be willing to accept and follow direction.
Understand ones self and have selfcontrol in relation to self and others (selfawareness).
Establish and maintain good objective working relationships with clients to determine needs in individual situations and take an effective course of action.
Analyze complex emotional and behavioral disorders and carry out treatment plans.
Exercise skilled judgment in the assessment and treatment of probationers families and dependent children. 

Qualifications :

Minimum Qualifications

These minimum qualifications are to be used as a guide for establishing the education training experience special skills and/or license(s) which are required for employment in the classification. Please note additional qualifications (i.e. special conditions) may apply to a particular position and will be stated on the exam/job announcement.

Education

Candidates must possess a bachelors degree in social sciences or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Licenses & Certifications

A valid California Class C Drivers License with a clean driving record is required.

 Additional Requirements

All candidates must meet the minimum standards for peace officers under Section 1031 of the California Government Code which includes being at least 21 years old and free from any physical emotional or mental condition that could affect job performance.

CORE Training Requirements:

The Deputy Probation Officer class employees must complete 200 hours of core probation officer training during the first year of appointment. Employees in this classification are peace officers as defined by section 830.5 of the Penal Code and must satisfy the State of California criteria for peace officer status. Appointees will be required to meet Statemandated CORE training requirements as defined by Standards for Training in Corrections (STC). Employees must also conform to all other requirements necessary to hold and maintain peace officer status pursuant to the California Government Code.

POST Background Investigation:

Prospective officers will undergo a thorough background investigation fingerprinting and medical and psychological evaluations. Within the prescribed time after appointment officers must complete required training including Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and any other mandated certifications. Candidates should be prepared to work irregular hours including nights weekends and holidays and must be willing to work across various positions shifts and locations.

Physical & Psychological Evaluations:

Deputy Probation Officers must pass a comprehensive medical and psychological evaluation to ensure they meet the physical and emotional demands of the job. The role involves physical activities such as restraining individuals applying restraint devices and maintaining fitness levels required for peace officer duties.

How to Apply: 

Applications for City and County of San Francisco jobs are only accepted through an online process. Visit  and begin the application process.

• Select the Im Interested button and follow instructions on the screen

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application. Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

Applicants may be contacted by email about this recruitment and therefore it is their responsibility to ensure that their registered email address is accurate and kept uptodate. Also applicants must ensure that email from CCSF is not blocked on their computer by a spam filter. To prevent blocking applicants should set up their email to accept CCSF mail from the following addresses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and @).

Applicants will receive a confirmation email that their online application has been received in response to every position to which they apply. Applicants should retain this confirmation email for their records. Failure to receive this email means that the online application was not submitted or received.

Verification:
Applicants may be required to submit verification of qualifying education and experience at any point during the recruitment and selection process. If education verification is required information on how to verify education requirements including verifying foreign education credits or degree equivalency can be found at .  

Note:
Falsifying ones education training or work experience or attempted deception on the application may result in disqualification for this and future job opportunities with the City and County of San Francisco. All work experience education training and other information substantiating how you meet the minimum qualifications must be included on your application by the filing deadline. Information submitted after the filing deadline will not be considered in determining whether you meet the minimum qualifications. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed City and County of San Francisco application. Applications completed improperly may be cause for ineligibility disqualification or may lead to lower scores.

Selection Procedures:

After application submission candidates deemed qualified must complete all subsequent steps to advance in this selection process which includes the following:

The selection process will include evaluation of applications education and a Written California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) multiplechoice examination.

Written MultipleChoice Examination: (Weight: 100

California Board of State and Community Corrections exam

Candidates will participate in a written multiplechoice examination designed by the

State of California to determine their relative knowledge skill and ability levels in job

related areas including but not limited to: problem solving reading comprehension

written communication ability and work attitudes. Please see the California Board of

State and Community Corrections website to view the Candidate Orientation Booklet by

clicking on the link: is a standardized written multiplechoice examination. In accordance with CivilService Rule 111.11.4 inspection privileges do not apply to the questions and answers in this examination.

Oral and written communication ability may be evaluated during the interview and hiring process.

• Information About The Hiring Process
• Conviction History
• Employee Benefits Overview  
• Equal Employment Opportunity 
• Disaster Service Worker
• ADA Accommodation
• Veterans Preference
• Right to Work
• Copies of Application Documents
• Diversity Statement

The terms of this announcement may be appealed under Civil Service Rule 111A.35.1. The standard for the review of such appeals is abuse of discretion or no rational basis for establishing the position description the minimum qualifications and/or the certification rule. Appeals must include a written statement of the item(s) being contested and the specific reason(s) why the cited item(s) constitute(s) abuse of discretion by the Human Resources Director. Appeals must be submitted directly to the Executive Officer of the Civil Service Commission within five business days of the announcement issuance date.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex race age religion color national origin ancestry physical disability mental disability medical condition (associated with cancer a history of cancer or genetic characteristics) HIV/AIDS status genetic information marital status sexual orientation gender gender identity gender expression military and veteran status or other protected category under the law.

The City and County of San Francisco encourages women minorities and persons with disabilities to apply. Applicants will be considered regardless of their sex race age religion color national origin ancestry physical disability mental disability medical condition (associated with cancer a history of cancer or genetic characteristics) HIV/AIDS status genetic information marital status sexual orientation gender gender identity gender expression military and veteran status or other protected category under the law.