Probation Community Associate - Project

Job Description:

Probation Community Associate - Project

Description

The Position

Why join the Contra Costa Probation Department?
The Contra Costa County Probation Department is pleased to announce a recruitment to fill (1) one vacancy for Probation Community Associate. This is an excellent career opportunity for system-impacted individuals with a passion for community work, who are interested in probation work.

Positions in this class are exempt from classified service and work in State and/or Federally funded project positions administered by Contra Costa County.

Assignments will be throughout Contra Costa County, working in collaboration with sworn staff serving adult and/or juvenile clients through our Richmond, Antioch, or Martinez offices. Work may involve both office and field settings and will include a variety of departmental functions to support client success.

Under general direction, Probation Community Associates will manage and coordinate supportive services for Probation clients, maintain accurate electronic records of client contacts and other vital information, make referrals, and perform other related work as required.

The ideal candidate will be able to collaborate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds, exercise sound judgment, understand community resources available to clients, and be familiar with interviewing and counseling techniques.

The Probation Department upholds principles of integrity, equity, and excellence. Our mission is an unwavering commitment to justice, ethical application of the law, and a proven approach to rehabilitation. We are building a skilled probation team that fosters collaboration and creates opportunities for those we serve to achieve positive outcomes-strengthening individuals and making our community safer.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Ethical - acts with integrity and values fairness and excellence.
• Collaborative - works well with others while also thriving independently.
• Innovative - brings f orward-thinking ideas and creative solutions.
• Organized - can prioritize tasks efficiently and meet department deadlines.
• Results driven - focused on achieving goals and delivering quality outcomes.
• Reliable - maintains consistent attendance and fulfills commitments.
• Communicative - engages effectively with staff and clients, both verbally and in writing.

What you will typically be responsible for:

• Communicating clearly, timely, and effectively with probation staff, clients, and their families, including addressing questions and concerns.
• Attending and participating in departmental, community, and interagency meetings.
• Instructing clients in daily living skills such as budgeting, cooking, shopping, hygiene, and self-advocacy.
• Educating clients and families about the foster care system and available resources.
• Offering housing assistance and support to youth in residential treatment programs, individuals in board-and-care homes, and clients in transitional housing.
• Documenting vital client information in the probation electronic case management system.
• Reviewing functional assessments, determining client needs in partnership with parents/guardians and probation staff, and contributing to case and treatment plans.

A few reasons you might love this job:

• You will work in a professional, supportive, and collaborative environment.
• You will make a meaningful difference in the lives of probation clients and the community.
• You will enjoy a healthy balance of teamwork and independent work.
• You will collaborate with dedicated, mission-driven colleagues.
• You will engage in purpose-driven work that has a lasting impact.

A few challenges you might face in this job may include:

• You will ensure compliance with Department policies and procedures while meeting performance expectations.
• You will navigate stressful situations and interact with individuals who have experienced trauma.
• You will balance competing priorities, manage multiple tasks, and still meet critical deadlines.
• You will adjust your work schedule when needed to accommodate client needs and departmental requirements.

Competencies Required:

• Decision Making: Choosing optimal courses of action in a timely manner.
• Safety Focus: Showing vigilance and care in identifying and addressing health risks and safety hazards.
• Using Technology: Working with electronic hardware and software applications.
• Attention to Detail: Focusing on the details of work content, work steps, and final work products.
• Handling Stress: Maintaining emotional stability and self-control under pressure, challenge, or adversity.
• Professional Integrity & Ethics: Displaying honesty, adherence to principles, and personal accountability.
• Handling & Resolving Conflict: Managing interpersonally strained situations.
• Customer Focus: Attending to the needs and expectations of customers.

To read the complete job description, please visit: Probation Community Associate - Project (Class Spec Details)

The resulting eligible list will remain active for six (6) months or until it is exhausted or expired.

Minimum Qualifications

License Required: Candidates must possess and maintain throughout the duration of employment a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's License. Out of state valid motor vehicle operator’s license will be accepted during the application process.

Education: High School Diploma, GED, or current enrollment in or successful completion of a training program approved by the County Costa County Probation Department.

Examples of approved training programs include: 1) Fresh Lifelines Youth (FLY) leadership training program, 2) Men and Women of Purpose Mentorship Program, 3) Rubicon Job Training Program, 4) City of Antioch Job Training Program

OR

Experience: Six (6) months of experience providing peer support to individuals who are re-integrating into the community after incarceration.

Applicants with lived experience and expertise related to the adult or juvenile justice system or child welfare system are preferred.
Desirable Qualifications:

• Previous personal experience with justice or child welfare systems.
• Certification of successful completion of Fresh Lifelines Youth (FLY) leadership training program, Men and Women of Purpose Mentorship Program, Rubicon Job Training Program, or City of Antioch Job Training Program.
• Knowledge of available public benefits and ability to guide the application process.
• Prior experience facilitating groups and training classes.
• Basic computer skills, office equipment, and other electronic devices.

Selection Process

Application Filing and Supplemental Questionnaire Evaluation - Applications and supplemental questionnaire (SQ) responses will be evaluated to assess relevant education, training, and experience to determine which candidates will move forward in the next phase of the recruitment process. Any incomplete applications or unclear SQ responses may result in disqualification.Departmental Interview- Qualifying candidates from Step 1 will be referred to the department to conduct further interviews or other selection activities to make the final hiring decision

Meeting the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the selection process.

The Human Resources Department may change the examination steps noted above in accordance with the Personnel Management Regulations and accepted selection practices.

For recruitment-specific questions, please contact Norma Martinez at Norma.Martinez@hrd.cccounty.us. For any technical issues, please contact the GovernmentJobs’ applicant support team for assistance at +1 855-524-5627.

CONVICTION HISTORY

After you receive a conditional job offer, you will be fingerprinted, and your fingerprints will be sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history (if any) will be used to determine whether the nature of your conviction conflicts with the specific duties and responsibilities of the job for which you have received a conditional job offer. If a conflict exists, you will be asked to present any evidence of rehabilitation that may mitigate the conflict, except when federal or state regulations bar employment in specific circumstances. Having a conviction history does not automatically preclude you from a job with Contra Costa County. If you accept a conditional job offer, the Human Resources Department will contact you to schedule a fingerprinting appointment.

DISASTER SERVICE WORKER

All Contra Costa County employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law. Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker-related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

It is the policy of Contra Costa County to consider all applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, ancestry, medical condition, genetic information, military or veteran status, or other protected category under the law.

To find more information on Benefits offered by Contra Costa County, please go to https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/1343/Employee-Benefits

Closing Date/Time: 8/19/2025 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$47,004.26 - $57,133.96 Annually