Deputy Probation Officer

Deputy Probation Officer

Salary: $85,891.52 - $109,865.60 Annually, plus bilingual and uniform allowance when applicable.

Location: County of Santa Barbara - All locations, CA

Job Type: Full-time

Job Number: 26-6061-01 (O)

Department: Probation

Opening Date: 12/19/2025

Description

The Probation Department is accepting applications to fill full-time vacancies for the Deputy Probation Officer 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. Some positions that may be filled by this recruitment have been vacated as a result of a leave of absence (CS Rule 1414) and the duration of those appointments shall be subject to the return of the individuals who are on leave. A person who is appointed to a position under CS Rule 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without re-application or re-testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department. The Position: Under general supervision, provides professional casework services to adult and juvenile offenders and their families; supervises, motivates, and rehabilitates adult and juvenile offenders; conducts pre-sentencing investigations; carries out special assignments; and performs related duties as required. Deputy Probation Officer (DPO) is the entry-/journey-level class in the series. Deputy Probation Officer is distinguished from Deputy Probation Officer, Senior in that the latter is the lead worker level in Probation Field Service operations and the first line shift supervisor level within a Probation Institution. The ideal candidate will possess: strong written, and verbal communication; reputation for honesty and trustworthiness; excellent command presence; good moral character; credibility; integrity.

Examples of Duties

1. Conducts investigations which include interviewing adult or juvenile offenders, their families and interested individuals, and reviewing documents such as police reports, court transcripts and criminal records; makes assessments regarding the nature of the individual's environmental, employment, financial or domestic difficulties as they apply to the case; makes recommendations for sentencing and dispositions of probationers; prepares probation plans.
2. Assures that terms and conditions of probation are complied with; coordinates case management with representatives of criminal justice and social service agencies in cases of mutual interest by providing and receiving information on case investigation and status; advises and makes referrals of adults, juveniles, or their families to available community resources to aid in solving their psychosocial problems; motivates, monitors and evaluates probationer's progress; makes written and oral recommendations to the courts for continuance or dismissal of probation status, or to return probationer to the judicial system.
3. Makes arrests and conducts vehicle, building, and body searches as necessary and authorized; observes, collects and examines urine samples; administers chemical, skin, and eye/pupil checks for illegal substances or alcohol abuse; transports adult and juvenile offenders when necessary.
4. Carries an assigned caseload involving adult and/or juvenile offenders; conducts field contacts and home visits; prepares petitions, violations, correspondence, case histories, regular and special reports, and maintains case files; monitors payment records to ensure-court ordered collection of fines, fees, and restitution is carried out; conducts civil investigations and may conduct juvenile traffic hearings.
5. May train colleagues in a specialized area of expertise; may train and guide Extra Help employees and volunteers.

Employment Standards

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.

1. 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; 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 AND two years of experience performing duties equivalent to Juvenile Institutions Officer, at least one year of which is at the Senior level, or to Probation Assistant with Santa Barbara County; OR,
3. 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: Applicants who are currently in their final quarter or semester of study leading to the required education are encouraged to apply. Such applicants may compete in the examination process but may not be considered for appointment until they have attained the required education units.

Additional Requirements:

• 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 which might adversely affect the powers of a peace officer.
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License. Driver's license must be kept valid throughout the term of employment. Incumbents must be able to travel independently.

Additional Qualification within one-year probationary period:

• Unless previously completed, candidates must complete and successfully pass a Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) approved "Core" Training course within the first year of employment. (This five-week course may be held outside the County.) Additional physical training, such as unarmed defensive tactics, may be required for assignment to some units.
• Possession of First Aid and CPR certificates
• Possession of § 832 PC

Knowledge of: standard English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage; college-level report writing; standard computer applications used in an office; socioeconomic, psychosocial, and cultural influences on individual behavior; basic math including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers and percentages. Ability to: read and comprehend material at college level; establish and maintain effective, constructive, motivational relationships with probationers from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds; observe and record events and information; interpret behavior patterns; make appropriate referrals; work cooperatively with others; read, understand, and apply relevant laws; analyze information in order to make sound, objective decisions; work well under pressure; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview and elicit information from others; organize work and files; perform basic arithmetical calculations; learn casework objectives and investigation techniques; learn probation laws regarding investigations; learn to read and understand financial and accounting statements; learn, apply, and teach departmental procedures; learn how social, environmental, and psychological influences affect human behavior; learn and apply principles of cognitive, social, physiological and psychological development; learn the functions, structures, processes and interactions of the basic components of the criminal justice system; learn and apply constitutional and procedural considerations affecting arrest, search and seizure; kinds and degrees of evidence and rules governing admissibility; judicial decisions interpreting individual rights; use a computer keyboard. Desirable Qualifications: Communication: 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 from future certification or removed from the bilingual employment list, in accordance with Civil Service Rule 7.

Supplemental Information

Application & Selection Process:

1. Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Review: Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ): Candidates who are qualified will be notified by email to complete and submit a Personal History Questionnaire. Candidates who successfully pass the PHQ will advance to the next step in the selection process. Failure to submit a PHQ by the deadline or not passing the PHQ will result in a disqualification from the recruitment.
3. Computerized Written Examination: Candidates who passed the PHQ will be notified via email with instructions for taking a computerized examination. Based on number of candidates who are invited to the exam, the testing format and/or testing dates could be subject to change.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the computerized written examination to be placed on an employment list. An adjustment may be made to raw scores based on factors listed in Civil Service Rule VI. Those candidates who