Need insights

[nrgcruizer]

So I applied at Mendocino County Department of Corrections to be a deputy probation officer. I thought I would get turned down because I don't have an LE background.

But for the past 3 yrs, I became a youth & young adults pastor for a small church. I thought it would be a good idea to be able to council juveniles and get paid for what I do (just being honest here). I don't have a criminal record. But I don't have a stellar past either.

I never wanted to become an LEO, let alone work with teens. Nothing bad or anything. Just a preference to do something else with my life.

But for the Big Man's own reason, here I am. I love working with kids and young adults. I have one kid I worked with since he was 15. He's not a genius. But he's serving his country in Iraq right now. Gets me eyes all sweaty thinking how far this kid has gone.

I'm due to take the written exam in May, as well as, a barrage of other exams in the near future. Then I'd have to go back to school and take modules for PC832, possibly at least an AA degree in Admin of Justice, plus some proby courses.

Does anyone have any advise on how I get through this barrage of exams? i.e. psyche, written, poly....Your time is greatly appreciated. Much thanks in advance.

[CaptMike]

The process for joining a probation department is established by the California Corrections Standards Authority, Standards and Training for Corrections (STC) division. the exam process and help guides are located here:

http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Divisions_Boards/CSA/STC/Selection_Standards_And_Training.html

At the website you will find the candidate orientation booklet as well as information on the medical process. I highly recommend you study their handouts since the exams are established by the state, not the agency. What you see in the booklet will be in the test, only with more questions.

the oral interview is the most important part in my opinion. the oral is established by each individual agency based on their needs and established criteria. I dont know what they will ask you in mendecino because I dont work for them. for the most part a law enforcement oral interview is trying to find out a few basic things about you. Are you the type of person that maintains a professional demeanor (how you present yourself), can you deal with stressfull situations correctly (they may throw situational use of force questions), are you the type of person that that can react appropriately (think community policing) while still have the ability to use force when necessary (will you pull the trigger if you had to). I would hghly recommend you contact the agency and see if they offer tours of the facility so you can see what you are applying for and also talk to the officers that are working the job. find out from them what the positives and negatives are about the job and you may also ask them for any pointers on their departments oral interview. you have to do really well in the oral interview to continue the hiring process.

the psych is like any other law enforcement psych. the psych is trying to determine if you are mentally stable (hearing voices is a no go), can you deal with stressfull situations appropriately (are you reasonable when it comes to force), do you have anything in your life that may lead you to criminality (drug abuse, alcoholism, bizare sexual practices), etc. the psych will take the scores from your written psych test and then ask you about any possible anomolies. I believe the written psych test that most probation departments use is the MMPI (Minnisota Multi Phasic Personality Inventory, I think thats what it is, search for psych MMPI test). You cant really prepare for this one to much, your either mentally prepared for this job or not.

hope this helps and PM me if you have any more personal questions about the job. I dont work for mendecino but I do work for a probation department. Good Luck.

[Ron-Solo]

Work on your spelling and grammar. Probation officers do a lot of writing. The proper use/spelling of words is important. Words such as "advice" intead of "advise" and similar problems. I'm not bagging on your post, just trying to help you out. As a supervisor, it is a common problem these days, and could hold you back.

Best of luck,

Ron

[9mmepiphany]

i support what Ron-Solo says.

you could be the greatest worker in the world, but they'll judge you by how and what you write. they used to say write as you'd speak, please don't...most folks don't speak well enough to be understood by a reader anymore

[BigDogatPlay]

All the information above is golden. But I'll toss in a couple of other things.

Many probation departments, including the one my wife used to work for, like to see a background or coursework in counseling. While there are units in every probation department that deal with hard core, criminal a-holes, a good many of the POs are often engaged in a great deal of what could be termed social work. AJ classes are fine and all, but coursework in counseling, psych (above the 101 level) and social work could all be considered pluses especially in a county like Mendocino. A key element of the mission in a probation department is to help facilitate the rehabilitative process with an offender.

As part of the interviewing process they will almost certainly ask you what you have done that prepares you for the role. Be prepared to discuss the counseling work you have already done, cite your successes such as the young man who is now in the service.

The psychological, background and medical examinations will all be (largely if not totally) identical to that which a uniformed peace officer would go through.

Good luck!!!!

[nrgcruizer]

Thank you all for the wealth of information you guys have given. I'll take the good, the bad, and the ugly. I sure as heck don't want to fail something because of my grammar.

I do have friends in LE. It's just that none of them are probation officers.

As far as, counseling, I was actually asked to go to the Covelo Indian Reservation by a friend to help start a youth and young adults ministry in the res (I may actually have to pursue another degree or certification in Child Development). I do have a job lined up with the TLC (Transitional Living Center) as a counselor for juveniles that are first time offenders. I just thought I'd take the extra step to apply as a probation officer with Mendocino County, since they were also hiring.

[9mmepiphany]

apply for everything, always have a Plan B.

beware of learning to write in jargon, you need to write for someone who has no idea what you are talking about. i knew several officers whose writings were almost unintelligible outside LE circles...much like college texting