Description

Corrections Services Officers (CSO's) are Peace Officers pursuant to Sections 830 and 830.5 of the Penal Code and Sections 1029, 1031, and 1031.5 of the Government Code. Under general supervision, CSO's perform progressively complex correction services duties associated with the custodial care, supervision, and guidance of persons detained in a facility, assigned to a work crew, released on furlough for work, or placed under close supervision following commitment.

SALARY: $16.54 - $24.29 per hour; ALL NEW HIRES ARE CURRENTLY BEING APPOINTED AT A BASE RATE OF $20.42 PER HOUR

EDUCATIONAL INCENTIVE: Possible educational incentive of 2.5%, 3.5%, or 5% based on completion of Associate's/Bachelor's/Master's degree.

BILINGUAL INCENTIVE: Possible bilingual incentive depending on the MOA and the needs of the department.**

Examples Of Duties

Duties

CSO I's are assigned to work a variety of shifts at various facilities in support of detention & probation programs. Typical duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Supervising, observing & directing persons in custody;
• Planning, organizing & directing of all inmate activities;
• Enforcing facility rules, regulations & policies;
• Supervising the maintenance of personal hygiene, the care & distribution of clothing, the distribution/ consumption of food;
• Recording pertinent data regarding individual & group behavior;
• Supervising visitation;
• Participating in training;
• Maintaining required records & reports;
• Participating in treatment programs;
• Performing related work as required.
  
  

Typical Qualifications

These are minimum, entrance requirements to the exam process, possession of which assure neither continuance in that process nor placement on an eligible list.

EDUCATION: Possession of at least a High School diploma (or its equivalent).

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Pursuant to the Penal and Government Codes, CSO I's must also:

• Be at least 18 years of age;
• Possess at time of hire & thereafter maintain a valid, unrestricted (with the exception of corrective lenses) California Driver License;
• NOT be a convicted felon;
• Be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for U.S. citizenship. (NOTE: If hired, a permanent resident alien must provide proof of his/her application status with Homeland Security (Immigration and Naturalization Service). Failure to obtain U.S. citizenship within 3 years, failure to cooperate with Homeland Security or failure to maintain required status or to be denied citizenship will result in dismissal from employment.
  
  

Recruitment Process

FINAL FILING DATE: Your application must be received by the Ventura County Human Resources Department in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on the date the recruitment is closed.

To apply on-line, please refer to our web site at www.ventura.org/hr. If you prefer to fill out a paper application form, please call (805) 654-2106 for application materials. Our address is: County of Ventura, Human Resources Division, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Loc. # 1970, Ventura, CA 93009. We do not accept resumes in lieu of our application form, nor do we accept any application materials via email.

Applicants must provide sufficient information under the Education/Work Experience portion of the application to determine eligibility. Using "See Resume" or "Text Resume" instead of adequately completing all sections of the application will result in being removed from further consideration.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying: All applicants are required to complete & submit this questionnaire AT THE TIME OF FILING. The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position. Answer the first 16 questions with either “yes” or “no” and then respond appropriately to the final question. Applicants must be able to work all shifts and locations and must indicate this on their application and supplemental questionnaire.

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 the examination.

ONLINE EXAMINATION - 100%: A job related, online examination will be conducted to evaluate and compare participating candidates' knowledge, skills, and abilities in relation to those factors which job analysis has 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.

Immediately following are some of the more COMMON REASONS FOR REJECTION of CSO I applicants. Please read them carefully. What follows is designed to assist you in understanding/assessing the position of CSO I & for the County of Ventura in assessing your suitability for that position.

• Conviction of any felony.
• Less than eighteen (18) years of age.
• Conviction of/or sustained petitions for any sex crime.
• Use of marijuana, narcotics, or other habit-forming drugs (other than prescribed) may disqualify. Failure to reveal prior use will disqualify.
• Failure to possess &/or maintain a valid, unrestricted California driver license.
• Lack of a high school diploma or its equivalent.
• Failure to submit necessary application materials or submission of incomplete application materials.
• An unwillingness to perform duties of the position as evidenced by a "no" response to key questions on the supplemental questionnaire.
• Failure to pass a comprehensive background check which can include the following areas of concern: general work habits, safety & security, communication, workload management, judgment under pressure, learning ability, dependability, observational skills, problem-solving ability, willingness to confront problems, integrity, credibility as a witness in a Court of Law, & poor neighborhood reputation.
  
  

SELECTIVE CERTIFICATION: In order to meet operational needs, it may be necessary to selectively certify on the basis of gender &/or bilingual ability.

Spanish Fluency Examination: To receive the bilingual incentive, candidates will be expected to take and pass a Spanish/English fluency examination with a score of 70% or higher.

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

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

For further information regarding this recruitment, please contact Linda Messineo by email at Linda.Messineo@ventura.org or phone (805)677-8735.

Your Benefits As a County Of Ventura Employee

Ventura County Professional Peace Officers' Association

(VCPPOA)

To learn more about Benefits, Retirement, and the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), see links below.

• Benefits website or you may call (805) 654-2570.
• Retirement FAQ's
• Memorandum of Agreement
  
  

Union Codes: PVP, PVT