Parole Agent I, Youth Authority
California State Personnel Board Specification
Definition
Under supervision, either (1) to supervise a caseload of wards on parole; or (2) to interview and counsel wards in Youth Authority institutions and camps and to collect and evaluate information and make recommendations necessary for the ward's rehabilitation; to provide functional casework supervision to the treatment team staff in a living unit(s) or camps; and to do other related work.
Typical Tasks
As a community parole agent: supervises, counsels, and monitors the progress of wards in making social and economic adjustments; plans and implements casework strategies in promoting growth, maturity, and stability in wards; interviews wards on parole and explains the conditions of parole to wards and others; investigates the cause of the wards' prior behavior and current community factors and develops treatment plans; interviews parents, relatives, and others interested in the welfare of wards; analyzes case history data; develops parole plans and determines acceptability of such plans; investigates and provides assistance in improving the wards' living conditions; develops out-of-home placements; develops employment and educational opportunities for wards according to their individual aptitudes, training, and abilities; develops community resources to aid in the rehabilitation of wards; secures the cooperation and assistance of social, law enforcement, recreational, religious, educational, and other agencies concerned with the rehabilitation of wards; evaluates wards' progress and recommends to the Youthful Offender Parole Board needed changes in parole status and discharge from supervision when appropriate; utilizes casework methods in the supervision of wards and makes individual diagnosis and progress reports indicating case prognosis; provides surveillance and enforces conditions of parole; investigates parole violations and gathers required information which could cause a change in parole status; may apprehend parole violators and transport wards in custody; conducts searches as appropriate; may seize and secure evidence; may represent the Department with local justice systems on the disposition of wards; prepares case histories; dictates correspondence; and prepares reports.
As an institution/camp parole agent: Provides casework guidance in treatment strategies and techniques to be utilized by the living unit staff; provides necessary in-depth qualitative technical review of casework services performed by Youth Correctional Counselors, Senior Youth Correctional Counselors, and teachers; conducts wards' interviews for the purpose of monitoring and evaluating the progress made in individual treatment programs; interviews parents, relatives, and others interested in the welfare of wards; assists in planning new treatment programs; prepares reports indicating diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment progress of cases for inclusion in the wards' case record file; counsels wards on personal, institutional, and family problems, especially those resulting in patterns of delinquent behavior; recommends parole plans; consults with social agencies in preparing wards and their family for their eventual release on parole; cooperates with community parole agents in developing parole plans; counsels and assists in preparing wards for release on furlough or parole; reviews preparation of case material and may present cases to the Youthful Offender Parole Board; works with institution staff in the development of wards' training programs; maintains order and supervises the conduct of wards committed to the Youth Authority; prevents escapes and injury by wards to themselves, others, or property; maintains security of working areas and work materials; inspects premises and searches wards or visitors for contraband, such as weapons or illegal drugs; may participate in the Disciplinary Decision Making-System and grievance process; prepares case histories; dictates correspondence; and prepares reports.
Minimum Qualifications
Either I
Experience: One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Youth Correctional Counselor. and
Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.
Or II
Experience: One year of social casework, group guidance work, or community organization experience in one or a combination of the following:
1. A parole or probation department. or
2. A family or youth guidance agency. or
3. A juvenile bureau of a law enforcement agency. or
4. An education or recreation agency. or
5. A youth correctional agency.
(Experience in California state service applied toward this requirement must be performing duties of a class at a level of responsibility equivalent to a Youth Correctional Counselor.)
(Graduate work in educational guidance, sociology, psychology, criminology, or in a recognized school of social work may be substituted for the required experience on a year-for-year basis. Graduate students in one of these fields will be admitted to the examination, but must produce evidence of completion of one year of graduate work before they will be considered eligible for appointment.) and
Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Principles, techniques, and trends in rehabilitation parole and social casework; cultural difference and delinquent subcultures; methods used and problems involved in the supervision and rehabilitation of youthful offenders; laws relating to criminal and juvenile courts, Youth Authority commitment, probation, and parole services; causes, extent, and treatment of juvenile delinquency organizations, facilities, and services of public and private welfare and employment agencies available to youthful offenders; functions and procedures of law enforcement agencies; employment conditions and opportunities in California and facilities available for instruction, training, and placement of youthful offenders; vocational and educational counseling.
Ability to: Relate to youths; gain the interest, respect, and cooperation of wards; secure the cooperation of individuals and agencies interested in placement and parole work; establish and maintain effective working relationships; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; dictate correspondence and prepare comprehensive and accurate casework reports; communicate effectively.
Special Personal Characteristics
Interest in and respect for the dignity of individuals; concern for youths and the rehabilitation of youthful offenders; awareness of the street environment; acceptance of the various racial, ethnic, and cultural differences; willingness to work with the broad social spectrum of society; willingness to travel and to perform work requiring irregular hours; satisfactory record as a law-abiding citizen; possession of tolerance and tact; maturity and integrity; reliability; and neat personal appearance.
Special Physical Characteristics
Good health, sound physical condition, strength, endurance, and agility necessary to cope with the job; freedom from any physical, mental, or emotional condition that would interfere with the full performance of the essential duties of a Parole Agent I, Youth Authority.
Age Limitation
Minimum age for appointment is 21 years of age.
Peace Officer Standards
Citizenship Requirement: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031(a), in order to be a peace officer, a person must be either a U.S. Citizen or be a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for U.S. Citizenship. Any permanent resident alien who is employed as a peace officer shall be disqualified from holding that position if his/her application for citizenship is denied.
Felony Disqualification: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1029, persons convicted of a felony are disqualified from employment as peace officers except as provided under Welfare and Institutions Code, Division 2, Chapter 3, Article 8, Section 1179(b), or Division 2.5, Chapter 1, Article 4, Section 1772(b). Except as provided for by these statutes, persons convicted of a felony are not eligible to compete for, or be appointed to, positions in this class.
Firearm Conviction Disqualification: Anyone who is restricted for employment-related purposes from accessing, possessing, carrying, receiving, or having under his/her control a firearm or ammunition under all applicable State or Federal laws is ineligible for appointment to any position in this classification.
Background Investigation: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1029.1, persons successful in peace officer examinations shall be required to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to appointment. Persons who have previously undergone a Youth Authority background investigation may be required to undergo only a partial background investigation.
Medical Requirement: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031, persons appointed to a peace officer class shall undergo a medical examination to determine that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job safely and effectively.
Drug Testing Requirement: Applicants for positions in this class are required to pass a drug-screening test. (The drug-screening test will be waived for employees who are currently in a designated "sensitive" class for which drug testing is required under State Personnel Board Rule 213.)
Training Requirements: Under provisions of Penal Code Section 832, successful completion of a training course in laws of arrest, search and seizure, and in firearms and chemical agents is a requirement for permanent status in this classification.
