Deputy Probation Officer I/II/III - Extra-Help Deputy Probation Officer I/II/III

Salary : $55,224.00 - $85,862.40 Annually
Location : Merced County Probation Department 1880 Wardrobe Ave Merced, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2600349
Department: Probation
Opening Date: 06/04/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Bargaining Unit: 08S - Pub Svcs - Safety


Examples of Duties

Physical Agility Date: June 23rd, 2026.
Overall testing process will take approximately 2 hours

This recruitment is being established to obtain a current eligible list for both Full Time and Extra-Help vacancies. Extra-Help are not entitled to county benefits and are limited to a maximum of 25 hours per week. Extra-Help pay is $26.55 - $33.93 per hour.

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

Deputy Probation Officer I/II/III

• Responsible for the intake/investigation and/or supervision of cases involving offenders.
• Serves as intake officer in determining if a juvenile petition will be filed.
• Conducts an inquiry into the nature of a reported offense or conduct of a client and the circumstances surrounding same.
• Interviews clients, families and interested individuals to determine the nature of their community, school, and employment, financial or marital difficulties.
• Provide monitoring and supervision of offenders under court order or departmental disposition. This entails face to face contact, in various locations, with offenders, family members, law enforcement, employers, victims and other public or private agencies who provide service or supervision to the offender.
• Talks to the referring law enforcement officer and victims about the case.
• Prepares and submits a court report outlining pertinent information and recommending a course of action.
• May present the report in court and answer the court's questions concerning the case.
• Reviews case files; develops a plan for making regular contacts with the probationer and providing counsel, guidance, and support.
• Holds regular interview and counseling sessions with the probationers advising clients of available community resources.
• Arranges for financial payments to be made.
• Reviews progress of the case with supervisor.
• Conducts search and seizure of person, property and vehicles.
• Use appropriate level of force, when necessary, for the purpose of stopping and/or restraining a combative youth/adult.
• May arrest, detain and take into custody both juvenile and adult probationers.
• Collects urine samples from clients for chemical testing.
• Prepares affidavits of probation violations.
• Prepares reports regarding adoptions/custody of minors.
• Cooperates with State and local social service, mental health and law-enforcement agencies in cases of mutual interest.
• Represent the department at court hearings.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience:

Level I None
Level II One (1) year of professional probation experience equivalent to a Deputy Probation Officer I in Merced County.
Level III Two (2) years of professional probation experience equivalent to a Deputy Probation Officer II in Merced County.

Education:
Graduation from a four (4) year accredited college or university with a degree.
Applications will be accepted for those in the last semester of an accredited college or university.

License:
Possess a valid California driver's license at time of appointment and maintain.

Training:
Training and background, to meet the requirements of California Government Code Sections 1029 and 1031.

Must be free from any physical, mental or emotional condition that might adversely affect the exercise of Peace Officers powers.

Certification Level III:

The following must be successfully completed within the first 12 months of employment. Failure to successfully complete these items may result in termination.

Certification to meet California Penal Code Section 832 requirements regarding arrest, search, and seizure and weapons qualification.

Satisfactorily complete the Merced County Probation Department's Armed Academy.

Possession of Board of Corrections Certificate for Basic Probation Officer Core Course to include a physical conditioning element certified by the Board of Corrections for Deputy Probation Officers, and evidence of continued compliance with annual training requirements.

Essential Functions

• Operate a personal computer and other office equipment.
• Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
• Testify in court as required.
• Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
• Perform job duties under stressful conditions and respond appropriately to situations.
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
• Effectively represent the department, Train other staff; Conduct presentations.
• Physically subdue and restrain clients.
• Conduct searches of a client, his/her residence or vehicle as authorized by court order or departmental policy.
• Be physically fit to perform the following: detain, restrain and handcuff, both resisting and non-resisting persons, run short distances, search probationers, walk up flights of stairs, drive a vehicle, safely operate a weapon.
• May be required to carry a firearm.
• Establish, implement and achieve goals and objectives.
• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.
• Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.
• Kneel, bend, twist, squat, balance and crawl.
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination.
• Frequent use of data entry device including repetitive hand and arm motion.
• Occasionally lift and carry up to 60 pounds.
• Normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.
• Regular attendance is an essential function.

Knowledge of:

• Provisions of the Civil, Penal, Welfare and Institutions, Education, Vehicle and Health and Safety Codes relating to probation work.
• Modern probation casework, objectives, principles, and methods including individual and group behavior.
• Psychology as applied to both juvenile and adult offenders.
• Community, public and private agencies available to provide services for the probationer.

Ability to:

Deputy Probation Officer I/II/III

• Independently analyze investigation material and make proper deductions.
• Interview clients and elicit necessary information.
• Prepare and present effective written and oral reports.
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with probationers and others.
• Work cooperatively with peace officers and related social services agencies.

Deputy Probation Officer II/III

• Direct, train and mentor other staff.

HOLIDAYS & LEAVES
VACATION

10 days the first 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 160 hours), 15 days in the second 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 240 hours), and 20 days after 10 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 320 hours).

SICK LEAVE

0.0625 hours sick leave for each paid regularly scheduled work hour. 16 days (130 hours per year) with unlimited accumulation. Optional annual buy back of a portion of accumulated sick leave hours upon meeting certain criteria.

HOLIDAYS

Twelve paid holidays annually plus two optional holidays.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE

Five (5) regularly scheduled workdays.

INSURANCE
HEALTH INSURANCE
Medical Insurance - Merced County offers multiple Medical Plans and contributes towards employee and dependent premiums.

• Anthem 500 EPO
• Anthem 1500 EPO
• Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) with Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) without Health Savings Account (HSA)

Dental Insurance - Delta Dental

• County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)

Vision Insurance - VSP

• County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)

DISABILITY INSURANCE

State Disability Insurance (SDI)
Merced County non-management employees are enrolled in the State Disability Insurance Program (SDI). Premiums for this insurance are paid by the employee. This insurance is administered solely by the State, who determines eligibility and payments. Benefit amounts are based on the quarter with the highest wages earned within the base period.
LIFE INSURANCE

County-paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

• Represented Employees $10,000

Voluntary Term and Whole Life Insurance are available - premium paid by employee

RETIREMENT
DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The County offers a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. Employees choose their investment funds and can make pre-tax or post-tax contributions to the plan up to the maximum allowable.

MERCED COUNTY EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION


The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 and other provisions of the California Government Code. MCERA members also pay into Social Security. The applicable benefit formula is dependent upon your hire date with an MCERA employer; your pension amount will be determined by your age, years of service and final compensation amount.

EXTRA HELP EMPLOYEES DO NOT QUALIFY FOR COUNTY BENEFITS.

EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS
EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

Anthem EAP services provide up to five face-to-face counseling sessions per incident and provides a toll-free "800" hotline available 24/7 for emergencies and crisis intervention. EAP services include counseling services, legal services, financial services and work-life resource services.

EMPLOYEE TICKETS, COUPONS, and DISCOUNTS

The County of Merced has partnered with Employee Savings Tickets to provide discounted coupons and tickets for all county employees to attractions throughout the state and out-of-state. The discounts and coupons are available for shopping, movies, sporting events, theme parks, zoos and aquariums and much more.

THIS BULLETIN IS NOT A CONTRACT AND DOES NOT CREATE CONTRACTUAL OR LEGAL RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF ANY EMPLOYEE. THIS BULLETIN IS SUBJECT OF BEING SUPPLEMENTED, MODIFIED, WITHDRAWN OR OTHERWISE CHANGED PENDING LABOR AGREEMENTS AND/OR AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DEEM NECESSARY.

For answers to specific questions regarding employee benefits, please call Human Resources at View phone number on click.appcast.io.
01


Have you graduated from a four (4) year college or university with a degree?

• Yes
• No

02


This recruitment is being established to fill both full time and part time positions. Please indicate below all types of work you would be willing to accept:

• Full Time Only
• Part Time Only
• Either Full Time or Part Time

Required Question