To: Sonoma County Board of Supervisors
Department or Agency Name(s): County Administrator, Human Resources
Staff Name and Phone Number: Sheryl Bratton, 565-3578 Christina Cramer, 565-2988
Vote Requirement: Majority
Supervisorial District(s): Countywide
Title:
Title
Department Head Personal Service Agreement - Chief Probation Officer
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Recommended Action:
Recommended action
Authorize the Board of Supervisors to execute a Personal Services Agreement with Vanessa Fuchs as Chief Probation Officer, with the agreement from October 25, 2022 to October 24, 2025 at the “E” step of the position’s salary range, including other County benefits and compensation as provided in Salary Resolution 95-0926.
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Executive Summary:
The salary and fringe benefits provided to County department and agency heads must be considered by the Board of Supervisors at a regularly scheduled Board meeting, and an oral summary of the recommended action to be taken on the salary and benefits must be presented at the meeting where the final Board action is taken. (California Government code §54953, 54956).
The Chief Probation Officer is a unique position, where the appointment is made by the court, per state code, but is a County employee. Oversight of the nationwide search and hiring process was shared by the Superior Court and the County of Sonoma. Through an agreement with the courts, a joint selection committee was composed of three Sonoma County Superior Court Judges, two County Supervisors, the County Administrator, and the Court Executive Officer. At the conclusion of the recruitment process, Ms. Fuchs was selected as the next Chief Probation Officer.
Discussion:
The Chief Probation Officer is responsible for the operations and management for all adult and juvenile probation services and facilities, including a state-of-the-art Juvenile Hall, with the intent of enhancing community safety, supporting crime victims, and facilitating offender rehabilitation in a manner that focuses on reducing recidivism, fostering accountability, and promoting positive behavior change. The Department relies on evidence-based and evidence-informed practices, which have been scientifically demonstrated to reduce recidivism. Services include intensive supervision and referral to appropriate therapeutic programs, with specialty units for specific populations such as gang members, sex offenders, and mentally ill offenders. The Chief Probation Officer manages a current annual budget of $92.4 million and a staff of 271 full-time equivalent positions. This position is unique from other County department heads, as while the Presiding Judge of the Superior Court makes the appointment, the Chief Probation Officer is a County employee who reports to the County Administrator, and the Board of Supervisors is responsible to authorize the Personal Services Agreement. Upon the announcement of the previous Chief Probation Officer’s retirement, Human Resources conducted a nationwide recruitment. Top candidates were invited to interview with the joint selection committee, which was composed of three Sonoma County Superior Court Judges, two County Supervisors, the County Administrator, and the Court Executive Officer. At the conclusion of the recruitment process, Ms. Fuchs was appointed as Chief Probation Officer. The Board is being asked to authorize the execution of the Personal Agreement as the employer for this position, effective October 25, 2022, for a three-year term. Ms. Fuchs has nearly 24 years of experience in the field of community corrections, all with the Sonoma County Probation Department. She has held managerial positions in the department for eleven years, including the last six as Deputy Chief Probation Officer over the Justice Services Division. Over the course of her career, Ms. Fuchs has built strong relations with the Courts, County justice partners, and community partners. She has a strong focus towards providing quality service and support for the Courts, enhancing the department’s reputation of achieving public safety outcomes and facilitating positive lifestyle changes, uplifting organizational culture, strengthening relationships with county and community partners, and understanding, recognizing, interrupting, and repairing harm arising from a system that has overwhelmingly impacted BIPOC and other marginalized populations. Ms. Fuchs holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with Minor in Criminal Justice Administration. The Personal Services Agreement places Ms. Fuchs at the “E” step of the salary range, with an annual salary of $189,864 with an effective term October 25, 2022 through October 24, 2025 and all other benefits and compensation as prescribed in the Salary Resolution 95-0926. Ms. Ms. Fuchs will start on October 25, 2022.
Strategic Plan:
N/A
Prior Board Actions:
None.
Fiscal Summary
Narrative Explanation of Fiscal Impacts:
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the Probation Office budget for approving the recommended action. The salary and benefit costs of the Chief Probation Officer are already included in the adopted departmental budget.
Narrative Explanation of Staffing Impacts (If Required):
None.
Attachments:
Personal Services Agreement with Vanessa Fuchs
Related Items “On File” with the Clerk of the Board:
None.