Juvenile Institutions Officer - Lateral Transfer

Juvenile Institutions Officer, Lateral Transfer

The County of Santa Barbara Probation Department is currently accepting lateral transfer applications for current regular employees of another public agency operating a personnel merit system in the State of California for the Juvenile Institutions Officer classification.

Salary: $75,666.45 - $96,487.56 Annually, plus bilingual and uniform allowance when applicable.

Location: Santa Maria, CA

Job Type: Full-time

Job Number: 25-3841-01 (LT)

Opening Date: 10/31/2025

Closing Date: Continuous

Description

BEFORE YOU APPLY, PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION ON THIS JOB BULLETIN. This recruitment is ONLY for lateral transfers from other California public agencies. The Probation Department is accepting applications to fill full-time vacancies for the Juvenile Institutions Officer position at the Juvenile Justice Center, located in Santa Maria, California. Applicants must be willing to accept an assignment at the Juvenile Justice Center. It is required that you select the "Santa Maria" location on the application to be considered.

THE POSITION: Under direction, supervises, controls, guides, routinely counsels and motivates a group of youths in detention and/or treatment facilities; performs related duties as required. The ideal candidate will possess strong written and verbal communication, a reputation for honesty and trustworthiness, excellent command presence, good moral character, credibility, and integrity.

Examples of Duties

Orients, observes, supervises controls, motivates, counsels, and maintains headcount of youths in a detention and/or treatment facility; enforces disciplinary rules and policies of the institution/facility; delivers medication as prescribed; participates in individual, group, or crisis counseling and facilitates the application of certain programs and compliance with case plans.

Plans, organizes, and coordinates work project details, recreation, and leisure activities for youth detainees; ensures youths complete activities within allotted timeframes.

Observes and writes reports on the attitude, behavior, and adjustment of youth detainees; recommends intervals at which suicidal youths should be observed; and enters pertinent narrative and statistical information into computer programs.

Supervises youth and young adult detainees during showers in order to ensure hygiene and security; supervises youths and young adults in performing work details.

Receives and releases youth and young adults; may make intake and release decisions; contacts and informs parents/guardians of case status; supervises visits between parents and youths; supervises youths who are on alternative release status or on probation and living at home.

Redirects and/or physically restrains and/or redirects assaultive youths; secures and transports detained youth and young adults.

Participates in the development of case plans; participates in team meetings with youth/young adults and family members, schools, and mental health professionals to determine case plan objectives and treatment goals.

Occasionally assists in the routine preparation and serving/distribution of meals.

May train colleagues in a specialized area of expertise; may train and guide Extra Help employees and volunteers.

May act as lead officer of a shift, as needed.

Employment Standards

To be eligible to laterally transfer from your agency to the County of Santa Barbara, you must have held permanent or probationary status in the classified service of a California public agency operating a personnel merit system, and meet the following criteria:

1. The Santa Barbara County job into which you are seeking to transfer possesses essentially the same or lesser minimum qualifications as the job class in which you held permanent or probationary status in your current/previous agency, and
2. You have been employed by the other agency within one year of the date the lateral transfer is approved, and
3. You achieved permanent or probationary status with your current/previous agency as the result of a qualifying or competitive examination, and
4. You have performed satisfactorily and have not been separated nor are you being considered for separation because of misconduct or poor performance, and
5. Your current/previous agency submits information to Santa Barbara County which confirms that the required conditions have been met and that you are eligible for reemployment or continued employment in the class in which permanent or probationary status is held.

To be considered for this position, applicants must demonstrate how they meet the employment standards. Applicants will need to attach their unofficial transcripts to their application.

In order to determine if you meet the employment standards you must have the following qualifications:

1. A combination of training, education, and experience that would provide the required knowledge and abilities (Some examples of positions with relatable experience include: social workers, case managers, coaches, correctional officers, guidance counselors, behavioral counselors, development advisors, behavioral specialists, resource specialists, programs coordinators, teacher's aides, special education coordinators, camp counselors, youth leaders, psychiatric technicians, teachers, those with military service, and crisis intervention specialists); OR,
2. 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. – note that no degree is required, and job-related experience may be substituted for the required education.

Additional Requirements:

• Appointees must be at least 21 years of age.
• 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 through a background check (this includes a polygraph examination); and no physical, mental, or emotional 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.
• Unless previously completed, within one year of hire, must have successfully completed "Core" training and an introductory law enforcement procedures program (PC 832), certified by the California Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission.
• 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.
• All appointees must successfully complete 40 hours of intense, on-the-job training, which focuses on facility security and operations, psychological principles and techniques applicable to the care and rehabilitation of youth and young adult offenders, and the growth, development, needs, and problems of minors.
• Some positions in this classification may require incumbents to obtain and maintain a valid California Class B Driver's License. Appointees to those positions requiring a Class B license will be subject to mandatory testing for drugs prior to beginning work; once assigned, incumbents will be subject to mandatory testing for drugs and/or alcohol on a random, reasonable suspicion, post-accident, return-to-duty, and follow-up basis.

Knowledge of: standard English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage; college-level report writing; standard computer applications used in an office; basic math including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers and percentages. Ability to: read and comprehend material at college level; learn and apply psychological principles and techniques applicable to the care and rehabilitation of youth and young adults; learn about the growth, development, needs, and problems of youth and young adults; gain the confidence and respect of youth and young adults; supervise youth and young adults; perceive, evaluate, and de-escalate or resolve tense group situations; make rational decisions; observe, recall, and document behavior; note behavior patterns and behavior changes for signs of potential problems; read, understand, and apply laws, regulations, and procedures; enforce rules while maintaining flexibility; counsel and motivate individuals and groups and provide support and control as needed; work with youth and young adults in an assertive, calm manner; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; work well under pressure; work in a structured, regimented work environment; meet deadlines; maintain professional ethics; learn and follow County and departmental policies, goals, and objectives; drive safely and legally; work harmoniously with others; maintain confidentiality and impartiality; maintain professional demeanor even when dealing with hostile or abusive individuals; use a computer keyboard.

Desirable Qualifications:

• Knowledge of: Adolescent psychology, juvenile justice, juvenile delinquency, counseling, basic knowledge of the criminal justice system.
• Bilingual skills: Bilingual Spanish skills are desirable. The ability to read, write, and converse fluently in English and Spanish is desirable for some positions. Hiring departments will test you on your fluency. If you do not demonstrate sufficient fluency, your name may be withheld