The Administrative Services Division provides support to the Office of the Chief Probation Officer, as well as ancillary support to Probation and Institutional Services. Additionally, the Division is responsible for coordinating the Recruitment, Hiring and Training of all sworn personnel and oversees the activities of Human Resources and Clerical Support.

Background Investigations 

Coordination of the hiring process including entry level employment examinations, background investigations, medical and psychological exams, physical ability testing, among other activities, is a very complex function. The Hiring Coordinator tracks each candidate through the lengthy hiring process, generally beginning with the Applicant Orientation, which occurs prior to testing. After passing the employment examination or receiving notice of eligibility (Probation Aides), each applicant must complete an extensive background packet, which is then processed by the Background Investigations Unit. Investigators review personal histories, references, education, legal and financial issues among others. Once the background investigation is completed, eligible candidates may receive a conditional offer of employment pending their passing of both medical and psychological examinations.

Communications and Media

The Communications and Media Office (CMO) provides strategic support for both internal and external communication efforts promoting the Department.  The CMO creates and implements projects and products for a myriad of audiences, including staff, elected officials, the general public and stakeholders. All media inquiries, public record act requests, and department participation in countywide events, are managed by the Communications and Media Office.   

Human Resources

Commonly referred to as “Personnel”, the Human Resources (HR) unit is responsible for processing timesheets and paychecks for over 800 Probation Department employees. HR also works closely with the Hiring/Background Investigations Unit. The hiring of sworn officers is such a complex procedure that a flow chart has been devised to ensure that no steps are missed. HR tracks the hiring process and ensures that all employment requirements are met. This unit is also responsible for fingerprinting all non-sworn employees, volunteers and interns as well as producing photo ID’s and appropriate card-keys for the Department

Internal Affairs

The California Penal Code requires every law enforcement agency that employs peace officers in the State of California to have a procedure in place to investigate complaints initiated by members of the public.  The Sacramento County Probation Department has a centralized Internal Affairs Unit, composed of Management personnel, who are responsible for investigating complaints against the Probation Department or specific Department employees.  All members of the public seeking to file a complaint are asked to read the Department's Citizen Complaint Information and complete a Citizen Complaint Form.

Research, Analysis & Grants Unit 

Probation’s Research, Analysis & Grants Unit prepares applications for grant funding, assists with program design and development, and submits required progress and outcome reports in accordance with mandated reporting deadlines.  In 2008, Probation grants supported 13 distinct projects/programs and 71 county positions.  Ninety-nine percent of Probation’s grant dollars funded prevention, intervention, and suppression programs.  The remaining one percent was used for Information Technology enhancements.  Probation has been awarded an additional $2.2  million in federal American Reinvestment and Recovery Act grant funding, which saved 8 county positions for 2009.  If you would like to partner with Probation on a grant application, please contact Nicole M. Woodman, at woodmanN@saccounty.net.

The Research, Analysis & Grants Unit also conducts statistical analyses and works closely with the Evidence Based Practices Unit and Probation operational units to measure and evaluate quality assurance and program effectiveness.

Support to the Office of the Chief

This unit provides administrative support to the Chief Probation Officer and Assistant Chief Probation Officers as well as the Department’s operational divisions through: legislative analysis; research, review, analysis and development of department policy; and research and program development related to the submission of grant proposals and applications. In conjunction with these duties, unit staff prepare memoranda for submission to the Board of Supervisors, the County Executive, the Criminal Justice Cabinet and other bodies; assist in the preparation of presentations by the Chief Probation Officer and other managers; respond to requests for information from various sources including the Grand Jury, the Board of Supervisors and the Courts. Further the unit represents the Probation Department on committees and collaborative teams as needed, and serves as staff to the Juvenile Institutions, Programs and Courts Committee (JIPCC). Additional assignments include the development of department publications, the coordination of volunteers, interns and retired annuitants, and the planning and coordination of special events, which has resulted in the development of the Probation Events Committee.

Technology

The Technology Division provides technology that serves employees of the Probation Department.  We believe that technology should improve the safety, accuracy and efficiency of Probation staff while providing Management with the tools and information they need to make educated decisions.  Technology implemented in the Probation Department should also be cost effective, producing more savings and benefit then cost.

Training 

The Training Unit coordinates mandated training for 687 sworn staff and 173 non-sworn staff including participation in various conferences across the United States. There is presently a requirement that sworn staff be given training which includes specific performance/instructional objectives, first aid (including CPR, Lifeguard, bloodborne pathogens), firearms, tear gas, weaponless defense, computer systems, and county-mandated training in sexual harassment and workplace violence. State-mandated training requirements for sworn employees include 24 class hours for institution staff and 40 class hours for the non-institution staff. Some training programs are required to be repeated annually or every three years. The cost of all mandated training is reimbursable by the State of California; however, each course must be work-related and pre-approved by the Board of Corrections. All new hires must participate in an 84 hour training course prior to their first work assignment.