Corrections Services Officer I

Under general supervision, Corrections Services Officers (CSO), perform progressively complex correction services duties associated with the custodial care of juveniles; supervision and guidance of persons detained in a facility or placed under close supervision following commitment. Additional duties may include, but are not limited to, oral/written communications, force and self-defense, first aid, and custody operations.

EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE: Some positions may be eligible for educational incentive.  This incentive may be 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% for incumbents in eligible positions based on completion of an Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree that is not required by the classification.

EDUCATIONAL/BILINGUAL INCENTIVES:  Possible educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of Associate's, Bachelor's, or Master's degree. Incumbents may also be eligible for bilingual incentive depending upon operational need and certification of skill.

AGENCY/DEPARTMENT: Ventura County Probation Agency

Corrections Services Officer I is represented by the Ventura County Professional Peace Officers Association (VCPPOA) and is eligible for overtime compensation.

NOTE: This classification is within a bargaining unit subject to an agency shop arrangement which mandates a Regular employee to either join VCPPOA and pay dues as a member OR either pay a service fee to VCPPOA or direct that an amount equivalent to the service fee be distributed to a qualified charitable organization. 

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies within the Ventura County Probation Agency.  There are currently eight  (8)  vacancies.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
OPENING DATE:  June 1, 2018
CLOSING DATE: Continuous and may close at any time depending upon when a sufficient number of qualified applications is received to meet business needs.

CSOs work at a 24-hour facility supervising juvenile detainees. Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Supervise the conduct and behavior of persons in custody.
• Plan, organize, and direct inmate activities.
• Maintain effective safety and security procedures within the facility at all times.
• Enforce facility rules, regulations and policies.
• Work effectively and take appropriate actions in emergency or crisis situations.
• Restrain and/or subdue hostile and/or violent detainees and de-escalate violent behavior, which may involve the use of verbal skills, pepper spray, physical force, take downs, and/or the use of restraints.
• Search for weapons and other contraband articles.
• Prepare observation reports and case plans on detainee attitude, behavior, appearance, interests, skills, progress, and needs.
• Be a positive role model and authority figure.
• Conduct strip or pat searches and collect specimens when required.
• Transport detainees.
• Maintain required computer records and reports.
• Administer basic first aid when required.
• Supervise consumption of medication as directed by professional medical personnel.
• Perform other duties as required.
• Participate in and successfully complete all officer safety training classes.  Maintain proficiency in Agency approved tactics such as control/restraint methods, the use of Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) pepper spray, mechanical restraints, and blocking and defensive striking techniques.

• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Have either earned a high school diploma or passed the General Education Development (GED) Test indicating attainment of the equivalent of a high school education;
• Possess at time of hire and thereafter maintain a valid, California driver license;
• NOT be a convicted felon; and
• Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien who has applied for citizenship. NOTE: If hired, a permanent resident must provide proof of his/her application status with the United States Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship, and Immigration Services (USCIS). Failure to cooperate with the USCIS to maintain required status, or being denied citizenship will result in dismissal from employment.

FILING DATE: This is a continuous recruitment and can be closed at any time; therefore, it is to your advantage to apply as soon as possible. The schedule for the remainder of the process will depend upon when we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications to meet business needs.

To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/jobs. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-5129 for application materials and submit them to County of Ventura Human Resources, 800 South Victoria Avenue, L-1970, Ventura, CA 93009.

Applicants must provide sufficient information under the Education/Work Experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire in order to determine eligibility. A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above-referenced sections; however, it may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

NOTE: If presently permanently employed in another "merit" or "civil service" public agency/entity in the same or substantively similar position as is advertised, and if appointed to that position by successful performance in a "merit" or "civil service" style examination, then appointment by "Lateral Transfer" may be possible.  If interested, please click here for additional information. 

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit this questionnaire for this examination AT THE TIME OF FILING. The supplemental questionnaire is considered part of the application and may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position.

Please note that all applicants must be able to work all shifts and locations, and must indicate this on their applications and supplemental questionnaires.

APPLICATION EVALUATION - qualifying: All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met. Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will be invited to continue to the next step in the screening and selection process.

PRACTICAL (PHYSICAL AGILITY) EXAMINATION - Pass/Fail:  A job related physical agility examination will be administered.  The physical agility examination may include, but is not limited to, the following events:  75 yard run in 18 seconds maximum, 165 pound manikin drag for 20 feet within 30 seconds, and a weighted agility run through a 150 foot zigzag course of three (3) sharp turns, pick up a 20-lb. fire extinguisher at the 75 foot mark, and carry it back through the course in 30 seconds maximum.  Only those candidates who take and pass the physical agility exam will be invited to the written exam. 

WRITTEN EXAMINATION - 100%: A job related, written examination will be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which have been determined to be essential for successful performance of the job. Candidates must earn a score of 70% or higher to qualify for placement on the eligible list.

Candidates successfully completing the examination process may be placed on an eligible list for a period of one (1) year.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: After successful completion of the examination process, certified candidates will undergo a thorough background investigation that will include, but not necessarily be limited to, contacting personal, educational and business references, and Livescan fingerprinting for a criminal records check. Additionally, certified candidates will undergo a polygraph, psychological, and medical examination. Those entering the background process are required to provide a current (issued within the past 30 days) Department of Motor Vehicles printout (H6) to the Background Investigator.

CONDITIONAL OFFER OF EMPLOYMENT: Certified candidates may receive a conditional offer of employment pending successful completion of physical and psychological examinations.

For further information regarding this recruitment, please contact Jessica Ruiz by e-mail at jessica.ruiz@ventura.org or by telephone (805) 654-2419.