Description
What We Offer
The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package. Aside from our base salary range, an employee within this position will also be eligible for the following:
Educational Incentive – An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an Associate degree, 3.5% for completion of a Bachelor’s degree, OR 5% for completion of a Graduate degree.
Annual Leave – A candidate selected for this position will earn 112 hours of Annual Leave per year, increasing to 152 hours after 5 years of service.
Deferred Compensation – Eligible to participate in the County’s 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 2.5% match on your 401(k) contributions.
Health Plans – You are offered a flexible credit allowance of up to $13,182 annually for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from a group of authorized plans.
Flexible Spending Accounts – Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical, dental, and vision care expenses.
Pension Plan – Participation in the County’s defined pension plan. If eligible, you may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems such as CalPERS.
Bilingual Incentive – Proficiency levels by exam are $.65 per hour (Level I), $1.00 per hour (Level (II), or $2.00 per hour (Level III).
Holidays – 11 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
Uniform Allowance – A uniform allowance of $800 on November 1st of each year.
Textbook and Tuition – Up to a maximum of $2,000 per fiscal year in accordance with the memorandum of agreement.
The Position
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.
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.
The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular, Temporary, Fixed-term, Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies within the Ventura County Probation Agency.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE:
OPENING DATE: October 5, 2023
CLOSING DATE: Continuous and may close at any time; therefore, the schedule for the remainder of the process will depend upon when we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications to meet business needs.
REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS: All applications will be reviewed weekly.
Examples Of Duties
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.
Supplemental Information:
Work typically is performed either in the field, correctional facilities, or an office environment. Incumbents may encounter hostile reactions from others in the course of performing the job and may be required to restrain rebellious and violent individuals. Incumbents are required to work overtime and rotating shifts (including nights, weekends, and holidays) and flexible schedules to accommodate training and other special needs of the Agency. As dictated by operational needs, staff will be reassigned to other schedules, facilities, and programs, regardless of their initial and/or desired assignments.
Typical Qualifications
These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.
In addition to all the foregoing, no specific experience or training beyond that set forth immediately below is required; however, applicants must demonstrate an aptitude and willingness to perform those duties set forth in the section entitled “Examples of Duties” above. Completion of the PC832 (Arrest, Search and Seizure) training, First Aid and CPR training are desirable qualifications. Possession of a valid California Class C driver license is required at time of hire. Obtaining and maintaining such a license is a condition of continued employment.
EDUCATION: High School graduate or possession of a General Education Development (GED) certificate.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: All levels of the CSO classification series are “Peace Officers” pursuant to both the Penal and Government Codes of the State of California and applicants must therefore:
- 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.
- Be found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.
DESIRED
Completion of the PC832 (Arrest, Search and Seizure) training, First Aid, and CPR training.
ADDITIONAL SELECTION & EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION: Physical and Psychological Requirements – Prior to final appointment, applicants must submit to physical and psychological examinations provided by the County to determine their ability to meet Peace Officer standards. The physical examination will determine whether the applicant has the dexterity, strength, endurance and physical ability to restrain assaultive, combative, or violent offenders. The psychological examination will include the administration of psychological tests, an assessment of psychological factors, and an interview with a County-designated psychologist.
Background Investigation – applicants must be of good moral character, as determined by a thorough background investigation which involves contacting references and fingerprinting for search and disclosure of a criminal record. As part of this investigation, applicants may be subject to a polygraph examination and/or a voice stress analysis.
License – Must possess and maintain a valid, Class C, California driver license.
Training – CSO I’s are required to successfully complete all required State-mandated training (175+ hours) during the first year of employment, a portion of which will include physical conditioning to meet the physical standards, and 24-40 hours of approved training each year thereafter. In addition, CSO I’s are required to participate in and successfully complete all officer safety training classes and 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.
Probationary Period – Individuals appointed to the position of CSO I are required to serve at least a one (1) year probationary period subject to satisfactory performance and successful completion of all mandatory training.
Recruitment Process
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 (Download PDF reader)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. Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire may result in the application being removed from consideration.
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: Prior to appointment, a job related physical agility examination will be administered. The physical agility examination may consist of exercises to measure the candidate’s level of fitness and physical abilities to perform the essential functions of the assignment. The physical agility examination may include, but is not limited to the following events: 75 yard run in 18 seconds maximum, 165 manikin drag for 20 feet within 30 seconds, and a weighted agility run of 100 yards consisting of picking up a fire extinguisher and a first aid bag at the 25 mark, and carrying it back through the course in 35 seconds maximum.
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 (K4 – 10 year driving record) 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 Kristy Madrigal by email at Kristy.Madrigal@ventura.org or by telephone (805) 654-5094.
EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY
The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.
