Senior Deputy Probation Officer

Full Job Description

What We Offer
The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package. Aside from our base salary range, an employee within this position will also be eligible for the following:

• A general salary increases (GSI) of 3.5% effective July 5, 2026.
• Educational Incentive- An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an Associate’s degree, 3.5% for completion of a Bachelor's degree, OR 5% for completion of a Graduate degree.
• Annual Leave- A candidate selected for this position will earn 112 hours of Annual Leave per year, increasing to 152 hours after 5 years of service.
• Deferred Compensation- Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 2.5% match on your 401(k) contributions.
• Health Plans- You are offered a flexible credit allowance of up to $16,692 annually for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from a group of authorized plans.
• Flexible Spending Accounts- Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical, dental, and vision care expenses.
• Pension Plan - Participation in the County's defined pension plan. If eligible, you may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems such as CalPERS.
• Bilingual Incentive- Proficiency levels by exam are $.69 per hour (Level I), $1.38 per hour (Level (II), or $2.81 per hour (Level III).
• Holidays- 12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
• Uniform Allowance- A uniform allowance of $1,050 on November 1st of each year.
• Textbook and Tuition- Up to a maximum of $2,000 per fiscal year in accordance with the memorandum of agreement.

Armed Unit Premium Pay: In accordance with Sec.

607 of the Ventura County Professional Peace Officers' Association - Probation Unit (VCPPOA-PROB), Probation employees designated by the Director of the Probation Agency to carry a firearm in the course of performing assigned duties during assigned working hours, shall be eligible to receive premium pay of seven and one-half percent (8.5%) of their base hourly pay (exclusive of other additions).




THE POSITION:This recruitment will be utilized to fill positions in different assigned areas such as field, investigative, or specialty assignment and in a Juvenile Facilities assignment.

The ideal candidate for either assigned area is one with a diversity of experience that has developed a broad understanding of the Agency's operations and one who has shown a commitment to fulfill the mission of the Agency.

Work typically is performed in field, the Juvenile Facilities, office or court settings.

Incumbents may encounter hostile reactions from clients and others while performing the job and may be required to restrain assaultive, combative or violent offenders.

In a field, investigative or specialty assignment:

Under general direction, a Senior Deputy Probation Office (Sr.

DPO) assists the supervisor in overseeing the day-to-day operations of a unit and may assume the responsibilities of the Supervising Deputy Probation Officer (SDPO) in their absence.

Train and evaluate staff, review and audit subordinates’ cases; complete assignments which require specialized skills; may perform any and all responsibilities of a Deputy Probation Officer II (DPO II) which may include: investigate and recommend disposition of juvenile and adult cases; determine appropriate treatment plans; monitor the progress of those placed on probation; refer probationers to appropriate community resources; provide case work services in correctional facilities programs or in field units; can be assigned to an armed or unarmed unit; perform arrests, residential searches and other peace officer duties and may work with other law enforcement agencies to promote public safety and performs other related duties as required.

Work typically is performed in field, corrections facilities, office or court settings.

Incumbents may encounter hostile reactions from clients and others in the course of performing the job and may be required to restrain assaultive, combative or violent offenders.

Applicants must be willing and able to work any shift assignment, including rotating shifts, nights, holidays, weekends and overtime as required. In a Juvenile Facilities’ assignment:

Under general supervision (I), direction (II) or administrative guidance/review (III), performs progressively complex correction services duties associated with the custodial care, supervision, and guidance of persons detained in a facility or released on furlough and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Juvenile Facilities’ including Watch Commander functions.

Perform all responsibilities of a DPO I or DPO II assigned to the Juvenile Facilities’.

Applicants must be willing and able to work any shift assignment, including rotating shifts, nights, holidays, weekends, and overtime as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics:Senior Deputy Officer differs from the next higher class, Supervising Deputy Probation Officer, in that the latter is the first line supervisor responsible for the coordination, direction, scheduling and supervision of either field services, a special program or an institution.

PAYROLL TITILE: Senior Deputy Probation Officer Senior Deputy Probation Officer is represented by Ventura County Professional Peace Officers' Association (VCPPOA) and is eligible for overtime compensation.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULEOPENING DATE: Tuesday, March 17, 2026CLOSING DATE: Monday, March 30, 2026APPLICATION REVIEW COMPLETE: The week of March 30, 2026WRITTEN EXAMINATION #1 (Agency Specific): Tentatively the week of April 8, 2026WRITTEN EXAMINATION #2 (General Profession Technical): Tentatively the week of April 8, 2026




Requirements

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assists in the training of staff.
• Performs case management role, including assessment, planning, linking, monitoring and advocacy for juveniles and adults.
• Implements supervision plans and enforces court orders related to juvenile and adult probationers.
• Develops case plans and makes recommendations to the court for the rehabilitation, supervision, and placement of juvenile and adult probationers.
• Acts as shift leader and/or Watch Commander to coordinate daily activities in an institution.
• May act in the absence of the supervisor, assigning work tasks and assuring compliance with policy.
• Orients new residents or detainees.
• Helps resolve routine staff and client problems.
• Conducts investigations.
• Prepares reports.
• Uses risk and needs assessment instruments.
• Conducts arrests and fourth waiver searches.
• Makes field contacts in the home and community.
• Collaborates with other law enforcement agencies to perform field work.
• May be called upon to handle medical, security or disciplinary emergencies.
• May be required to perform the functions of the lower-level class in this series.

Qualifications

These are entrance requirements to the examination process and assure neither continuance in the process nor placement on an eligible list.

Education/Experience:Any combination of education, experience and/or training which would indicate possession of the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs).

Possession of the requisite KSAs can be demonstrated by: A) Bachelor's degree, AND at least three (3) years of experience as a Deputy Probation Officer II, or a position which must have been in a capacity equivalent to a Deputy Probation Officer II;OR B) Five (5) years of experience as a Deputy Probation Officer II or a position which must have been in a capacity equivalent to a Deputy Probation Officer II.

Supplemental Information:
Applicants must be willing and able to work any shift assignment, including rotating shifts, holidays, weekends and overtime as required.

Probationary Period - individuals appointed to the position of Sr. DPO are required to serve probationary period of 1,040 hours subject to satisfactory performance.



Necessary Special Requirements:

1. Must not be convicted of a felony.
2. Must possess and maintain a valid class C California driver license.

Work typically is performed either in the field, correctional facilities, or an office environment.

Incumbents may encounter hostile reactions from others in the course of performing the job and may be required to restrain rebellious and violent individuals.

Incumbents are required to work overtime and rotating shifts (including nights, weekends, and holidays), and flexible schedules to accommodate training and other special needs of the Agency.

As dictated by operational needs, staff will be reassigned to other schedules, facilities and programs, regardless of their initial and/or desired assignments.

Ability to participate in and successfully complete all officer safety training classes, PC832 (Arrest, Search and Seizure) and Public Safety-First Aid with Naloxone, Supervisor Core and Juvenile Core/Transfer Core.

Maintain proficiency in Agency approved tactics such as control/restraint methods, the use of Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) pepper spray, Conducted Energy Weapon (TASER), mechanical restraints, and blocking and defensive striking techniques.

Another medical exam may be required if the PC 832 Arrest Search and Seizure course is not completed at least 6 months from the date of the pre-employment medical screening evaluation.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILTIES

Knowledge of:

• Interview and investigative techniques.
• Evidence Based behavioral science principles and their application to casework.
• Report writing principles including rules of correct grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.
• Federal, State, and local criminal justice laws, regulations, codes and ordinances pertinent to adult and juvenile detention and probation work.
• Law enforcement and related legal terminology.
• Case management methods and techniques.
• Community-based policing.
• Familiarization between law enforcement and community residents.
• Federal, State, and local criminal justice system operations and services.
• Human behavior, theories of crime and criminology.
• Principles and methods of personnel guidance and training.
• Customer service objectives and strategies.
• Telephone, office, and online etiquette.
• Current technology and trends in the profession.


Skilled in and Ability to:

• Provide technical guidance and training to subordinate staff.
• Coordinate and direct the activities, care, and treatment of adult and juvenile probationers in the community and in an institutional setting.
• Act as lead worker in absence of supervisor.
• Read, comprehend and appropriately apply laws, regulations and policies.
• Observe and record events accurately and concisely.
• Interpret aberrant behavior of individuals and groups.
• Read, analyze and retain information of a factual or procedural nature.
• Counsel individuals and groups.
• Exercise appropriate judgment in various situations, including in maintaining order and security, directing the activities of clients in a detention/correctional facility, answering questions, and releasing information.
• Assess situations to prevent or solve problems and take appropriate course of action.
• Apply collaborative problem solving.
• Prepare and provide testimony in court.
• Engage and establish a professional rapport with sometimes reticent individuals.
• Use word processing and computer application programs and equipment in the production of work.
• Write clear, accurate and concise reports.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing with a variety of individuals representing diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Function calmly in situations that require a high degree of sensitivity, tact, and diplomacy.
• Treat employees, representatives of outside agencies and members of the public with courtesy and respect.
• Assess the customer's immediate needs and ensure customer's receipt of needed services through personal service or making appropriate referral.
• Establish effective working relationships with management, employees, employee representatives and the public representing diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Provide responsive, high-quality service to County employees, representatives of outside agencies and members of the public by providing accurate, complete and up-to-date information, in a courteous, efficient and timely manner.

Additional Information

FINAL FILING DATE: Your application must be received by County of Ventura Human Resources in Ventura, California, no later than 5:00 p.m. on Monday, March 30, 2026.

Note to Applicants: Sufficient information must be provided under the Educational/Work Experience portion of the application and supplemental questionnaire to thoroughly and accurately demonstrate your qualifications to determine eligibility.

A resume may be attached to supplement your responses in the above referenced sections; however, it may not be submitted in lieu of the application.

APPLICATION EVALUATION – qualifying: All applications will be reviewed to determine whether or not the stated requirements are met.

Those individuals meeting the stated requirements will continue through the screening and selection process.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE - qualifying: All applicants are required to complete and submit the questionnaire for this examination at the time of filing.

The supplemental questionnaire may be used throughout the examination process to assist in determining each applicant's qualifications and acceptability for the position.

Failure to complete and submit the questionnaire will result in the application being removed from consideration. WRITTEN EXAMINATIONS - 100% of Overall Score - both examinations weighted equally.

WRITTEN EXAMINATION #1 (Agency Specific Content) - (pass threshold is 70%): Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be invited to participate in an examination administered to assess the candidates' knowledge of the Ventura County Probation Agency. Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to continue in the promotional process.


WRITTEN EXAMINATION (General Profession Content) - (pass threshold is 70%): A job-related written examination will be administered to test candidates' knowledge of areas such as adult and juvenile investigations, adult and juvenile field services, juvenile custody, and juvenile intake/community confinement.

Candidates must earn a score of seventy percent (70%) or higher to continue in the promotional process.

Only those candidates who successfully pass both written examinations will be placed on the eligible list. The list may be extended at the discretion of the Director, Human Resources. In no instance shall this eligible list be maintained for longer than two (2) years.

The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular (including Temporary and Fixed-term), Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies within the Ventura County Probation Agency. There are currently two (2) vacant Regular positions.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION: After successful completion of the examination process, certified candidates who have been invited to a selection interview and accepted a conditional offer of employment, may undergo a thorough background investigation that will include, but not necessarily be limited to, contacting personal, educational and business references, and Livescan fingerprinting for a criminal records check. Additionally, certified candidates will undergo a polygraph, psychological, and medical examination. Those entering the background process are required to provide a current (issued within the past 30 days) Department of Motor Vehicles printout (K4 - 10 year driving record) to the Background Investigator.


For further information regarding this recruitment, please contact Mary DeWeese by email at Mary.Deweese@venturacounty.gov or by telephone at (805) 654-2154.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The County of Ventura is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.