Deputy Probation Officer, Supervising

Full Job Description

SALARY

$101,187.84 - $129,860.64 Annually

The Probation Department is accepting applications to fill one full-time vacancy for the Deputy Probation Officer, Supervising position in "All Locations." We are accepting applications to establish one list that will be used to fill current and future vacancies at all locations (separate lists for different locations will not be established).

Therefore, applicants must check "All Locations" on the application AND be willing to accept an initial assignment at any location.

It is required that you select "All Locations" on the application to be considered.

THE POSITION: Under direction, plans, assigns, and supervises the work of a group of Deputy Probation Officers and/or Juvenile Institutions Officers and other assigned staff; and performs related duties as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This is the full supervisory class in which incumbents are responsible for administration and direction of a unit staffed by Probation Officers and other assigned staff; or for supervising institution staff and operations of a probation institution.

Depending on assignment, incumbents also perform difficult investigations, handle case intake as necessary, and/or ensure probation institutions are in compliance with applicable standards set by Board of State and Community Corrections.

This class is distinguished from Probation Manager by the Manager’s greater authority and responsibility for overall administrative, fiscal, and program oversight in either a Field Services or Institutions operation.

Requirements

Assigns cases and work schedules, supervises, reviews, counsels, and trains staff engaged in one of the following activities: investigating juvenile or adult offenders, rehabilitating offenders through supervision or referral to public or private agencies, conducting civil investigations and preparing court reports; or supervising and/or counseling juveniles in detention or treatment facilities.Exercises onsite responsibility for the development and implementation of assigned programs and administrative matters, including the development of recurring performance measures, assistance in budget preparation and monitoring vendor contracts, data and outcome analysis, and updating of policies and procedures; meets with the Probation Manager on a regular basis and keeps him/her informed of all pertinent matters;Supervises institution operations including food services programs, updates operations manuals, and ensures compliance with applicable standards of the Board of State and Community Corrections, the courts, and other regulatory bodies;Oversees the scheduling of and preparations for annual local and state inspections of the institutionCoordinates maintenance and supervises general security of the institution; develops and implements facility emergency plans; reviews community confinement program, and approves all special visits with detainees in the institution;Explains and interprets departmental policies and procedures to staff and ensures that they are carried out; conveys views and suggestions of staff to department administration.Reviews and approves court reports for conformance with laws and departmental policy, and may attend court hearings and interpret and execute instructions of the court.Coordinates with Department of Social Services, schools, law enforcement agencies, and others to facilitate the availability of needed offender services.Provides continuous on-the-job training for development of staff and establishment of employee performance objectives; evaluates staff performance; participates in interviewing, selecting, and assigning staff.Attends meetings and conferences to stay abreast of legislation and new trends in professional methods.May assume responsibility for overall program management in the absence of, or as delegated by the Probation Manager and perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications To be considered for this position, applicants must demonstrate how they meet the employment standards.

Applicants will need to attach all relevant degrees and/or unofficial transcripts to their application.

Applicants are required to have the knowledge and abilities required for entry level Juvenile Institutions Officer and for entry level Deputy Probation Officer AND must meet the employment standards listed in 1, 2, or 3 below: Possession of a bachelor’s degree that included 27 quarter units or 18 semester units of coursework in sociology, psychology, criminology, or a related field that would provide the required knowledge and abilities AND:Three years of professional experience in probation field services, including one year of lead work experience which included some supervisory experience or training; or,

Five years of experience supervising juvenile detainees in a probation institution or other detention facility, including one year of experience supervising other custody officers; or,

One year of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Deputy Probation Officer, Senior with Santa Barbara County which included some supervisory responsibilities or training. OR,

Completion of 90 quarter units or 60 semester units of college coursework, including 14 quarter or 9 semester units in sociology, psychology, criminology, or a related field that would provide the required knowledge and abilities AND:

1. Five years of professional experience in probation field services, including one year of lead worker experience which included some supervisory responsibilities or training; or,
2. Seven years of experience supervising juvenile detainees in a probation institution or other detention facility, including one year of experience supervising other custody officers; or,
3. One year of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Deputy Probation Officer, Senior with Santa Barbara County, which included some supervisory responsibilities or training. OR,
   
   

A combination of training, education, and experience that is equivalent to one of the employment standards listed above and that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

NOTE: Examples of supervisory experience include: planning the day-to-day work activities of a work unit; communicating and enforcing performance standards, policies, and rules; evaluating the work of staff; and accepting responsibility for the performance of staff.

Additional Requirements:

• Candidates must meet minimum peace officer standards as specified in California Government Code Sections 1029 and 1031 including but not limited to: not currently on probation for a misdemeanor; no prior felony convictions (unless fully pardoned); good moral character as determined by thorough background investigation (this includes a polygraph examination); submission of fingerprints for purpose of a criminal record check; and found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, gender identity and gender expression, ancestry, religion, disability, or sexual orientation, that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License. Driver’s license must be kept valid throughout the term of employment. Incumbents must be able to travel independently.
• Unless previously completed, within one year of hire, must successfully pass applicable Board of State and Community Corrections approved “Core” training and a law enforcement procedures (PC 832) course on search and seizure procedures certified by the California Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission.

Knowledge of: Probation theory and practice; basic departmental fiscal principles; federal, state, and local laws relating to probation work and the administration of detention facilities; principles of general administration and supervision; scope of work for subordinates in field services or probation institutions, procedures of the courts and the provision of probation services to adults and juveniles in the criminal justice system; departmental policies and procedures; standard English grammar, spelling, punctuation, report writing and usage; standard computer applications used in an office; basic math including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers and percentages.

Ability to: Plan, direct and edit the work of others; coordinate probation work with related work of other agencies; establish and maintain effective relationships with others; communicate effectively orally and in writing; make sound discretionary decisions; accept responsibility for decisions; work well under pressure; represent the department with tact and diplomacy; assign, delegate, and prioritize work; be flexible in a dynamic work environment; work collaboratively on the administrative team; maintain objectivity and confidentiality; understand, interpret, and explain laws and policies; learn and apply Board of State and Community Corrections regulations and applicable sections of the Penal Code, and the Welfare and Institutions Code; use a computer keyboard.

Desirable Qualifications:• Communication: Bilingual Spanish skills are desirable.Additional Information:Assignments to this classification may require working some nights, holidays, and weekends and wearing required uniform.Firearms: Carrying a firearm is not required, and most incumbents do not carry firearms.

In some assignments, however, officers may wish to carry a firearm for their own protection.

In such cases, officers may exercise their right to request to carry a department-issued firearm, subject to successful completion of department-required training and approval by the Chief Probation Officer.

Assignment to certain units requires training of all officers in the use of firearms, whether or not individual officers choose to carry one.

Therefore, some incumbents may be required (depending on assignment) to undergo firearms training and quarterly qualification at the firing range, even if the individual chooses not to carry a firearm.

Additional Information

SELECTION PROCESS:

1. Review all applications and supplemental questionnaires to determine if you meet the employment standards.
2. Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ). Candidates will be notified by email with instructions for obtaining and completing the PHQ. Completion of PHQ will be within 5 business days of notice being sent. If your PHQ is accepted, you will advance to the next step of the selection process.
3. Oral Examination: The in-person oral examinations are tentatively scheduled for March 31, 2026, and April 1, 2026. Candidates will be notified by email with instructions. The oral examinations may be eliminated if there are fewer than eleven (11) qualified candidates.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the oral examination to be placed on an employment list.

An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule 6.

Those candidates who are successful in the examination process will have their names placed on the employment list for a minimum of three months.

At the time the employment list is established, all candidates receive written notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list and exact duration of the employment list.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS: The County of Santa Barbara is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants.

Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process should contact the recruiter listed on the job posting.

We require verification of needed accommodation from a professional source, such as a Medical Provider or a learning institution.

Recruiters will correspond with applicants by e-mail during each step in the recruitment process.

Applicants are reminded to check spam filters continuously during the Recruitment & Selection Process steps listed above to ensure they do not miss required deadlines.

All candidates for the job of Deputy Probation Officer, Supervising must successfully complete the following:

• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION includes an interview and a thorough check of police records, personal, military, and employment histories, and inquiry of persons who know you and evaluate whether you: respect the law and rights of others; are dependable and responsible; have demonstrated mature judgment in areas such as the use of drugs and intoxicants; are honest; and are a safe driver.
• POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION will measure the accuracy of information given during the background investigation process and is part of the background investigation.
  
  

After a conditional offer of employment has been accepted, appointee must successfully complete the following:

• PSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION is given by a psychologist. You will be evaluated on the psychological factors related to successful performance to determine if you are presently suited for the difficult and stressful job of Deputy Probation Officer.
• MEDICAL EXAMINATION: Appointee is subject to a medical examination.
• Submit written documentation of his/her LEGAL RIGHT TO WORK in the United States.

The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.

Disaster Service Workers: Pursuant to Governmental Code Section 3100, all employees with the County of Santa Barbara are declared to be disaster service workers subject to such disaster service.

Activities as may be assigned to them by their superiors or by law. Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance.

The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates.

The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

BENEFITS: The County of Santa Barbara offers generous benefits, please visit our website at: Probation Peace Officers Association | Santa Barbara County, CA - Official Website (countyofsb.org)

In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for:

• Retirement reciprocity

• Time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate
  
  

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: February 27, 2026, at 4:59 PM (PST); Postmarks not accepted. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.

If you have questions regarding the recruitment not answered in this job announcement, please email Marisa Ortiz, Supervising Probation Officer at marreol@countyofsb.org.