The Special Projects Division, under the direction of Chief Deputy Probation Officer Don Krause, includes the Work Furlough, Work Release and Direct Work Program for adult offenders.

Also, under the Special Projects Division is the Staff Training Unit. The Staff Training Unit coordinates all outside and in-house training programs for Agency employees. The Human Resources, Professional Standards, Automation, Central Records and Clerical Support Units also fall under the Special Projects Division.

AUTOMATION
The Office Automation Group (OAG) is responsible for the technical support within the Probation Agency. OAG stands as the first line of response in resolving technical problems and requests from Probation staff. The group provides support for servers, desktops, multi-media equipment, software and enterprise applications used by VCPA. OAG coordinates the installation/maintenance of telephones, local area networks and data lines ensuring communication among the outlying field units, institutional facilties and the main campus at the County Government Center. Routinely, the group assists in various special projects involving the use of new technology.

CENTRAL RECORDS
This unit performs a variety of functions in support of the adult and juvenile investigation units and also includes four positions for overall Agency functions including, mail courier, receptionist and probation records file clerks. All staff positions are required to be knowledgeable of the specialized operational procedures and programs of the Agency. The Custodian of Records responds to requests for release of records from the public/private sectors.

CLERICAL SUPPORT
VCPA personnel include approximately 75 non-sworn positions that provide clerical support to sworn staff throughout the Agency. These positions include Clerical Supervisors, Administrative Assistants, Office Assistants, Management Assistants and Legal Processing Assistants who are located in Administration, field and investigation units, and the custodial facilities. Non-sworn personnel also include Word Processing Operators who prepare a variety of legal documents and assist with other clerical duties and responsibilities as needed.

HUMAN RESOURCES
The VCPA Human Resources Unit is involved in all recruitment and hiring procedures for both sworn and non-sworn applicants, maintenance and control of personnel files, reports of medical injury issues, outsider reviews of background files, employment verifications, MOA/negotiation issues, bilingual testing, affirmative action issues, and disciplinary processes.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS UNIT
This Unit conducts pre-employment background investigations on both sworn and non-sworn staff, investigates allegations of serious misconduct by Agency employees, organizes swearing-in ceremonies for newly hired peace officers, and prepares the Agency's annual reports and quarterly newsletters.

STAFF TRAINING UNIT
The Staff Training Unit coordinates all outside and in-house training programs for Agency employees to assure the Agency complies with STC standards and guidelines. Their mission is to identify, enhance, complement and nurture job competencies at all levels within the Agency. This is accomplished by providing relevant and timely training, specifically designed to meet Agency needs.