Community Program Assistant Jobs in Santa Barbara, CA

Salary: $33.88 - $40.53 Hourly
Location : Santa Maria, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-7610-01 (O)
Department: District Attorney
Division: District Attorney
Opening Date: 07/23/2026
Closing Date: 8/14/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
Description
Salary: $33.06 - $39.54 Hourly, plus bilingual allowance when applicable
We are accepting applications to fill a Victim Witness Program Assistant II vacancy in the District Attorney's Office for the County of Santa Barbara. The current vacancy is in Santa Maria. The ability to read, write, and converse fluently in English and Spanish is preferred for this vacancy.
Location of Vacancies: We are accepting applications to establish one employment list to fill current and future vacancies in multiple locations within the County of Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, Lompoc, etc.) for full-time and part-time positions. Please make sure you select which location(s) you are willing to accept current and future employment on your application.
The Department: The mission of the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office is to pursue truth and justice by employing the highest ethical standards in vigorously prosecuting the guilty, protecting the innocent, and preventing crime. The District Attorney has offices in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. The Office embodies a team approach to fighting crime, wherein Deputy District Attorneys, Investigators, Victim Witness staff, and support staff work closely together at all stages of a case. The Office is also dedicated to ongoing training and skill development, as well as fostering the development of new technologies to fight crime and achieve justice. Specialized prosecution units exist for areas of great concern to the County including gangs, vulnerable victims, and white-collar crime. To learn more about the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office, please visit:
Victim-Witness Assistance Program: The District Attorney's Office Victim-Witness Assistance Program provides advocacy and support to victims of crime to make the criminal justice system more accessible by providing comprehensive advocacy and support. The goal is to assist victims overcome physical financial and emotional trauma experienced as a result of the crime. The division provides comprehensive services and develops and conducts training for service agencies, community-based programs and criminal justice personnel. The Victim Services staff works in collaboration with law enforcement agencies and other victim service providers. Under general direction of the Victim Witness Program Assistant Director provides management oversight of the Victim Witness regional operations and unit supervisors.
Under general supervision, the Victim Witness Program Assistant II, assists victims of crimes by providing information, support, referral, and advocacy services; assists in completing victim compensation claims; and performs related duties as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Victim Witness Program Assistant I/II is a flexibly classed series. The Victim Witness Program Assistant I differs from the Victim Witness Program Assistant II in that the latter is assigned more complex cases including felonies, and cases with long proceedings and multiple victims, while the former is assigned primarily misdemeanor and less complex cases.
The Ideal Candidate will Possess:

• • Experience in a social services program providing case management to individuals in crisis including interviewing, counseling, or referring others to community resources
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to successfully work with diverse populations, law enforcement, and stakeholders in the criminal justice system
  • Ability to handle high stress situations, thrive under pressure, and adapt to change
  • Ability to respond supportively to the needs of victims and witnesses in complex cases
  • Willingness to work nontraditional hours, and to be on-call when required
  • Ability to be a self-starter with demonstrated initiative
  • Excellent customer service skills and experience working with the public
  • Ability to work independently, organize and prioritize work, and meet critical deadlines
  • Knowledge of the criminal justice system
  • Public speaking skills

Examples of Duties

1. Interviews and provides crisis and resource referral counseling for crime victims, their families, and witnesses before and during court process; assesses clients' needs for medical, psychological, legal, financial, shelter, or employment services; provides victims with information on shelters, temporary restraining orders, and availability of counseling or other social services; advocates for victims, ensuring that client needs are addressed within the community and criminal justice systems.
2. Provides clients with an explanation of court process, potential dispositions, education and training regarding the criminal justice system.
3. Transports, escorts, and supports victims during court appearances.
4. Prepares applications for victim compensation by obtaining necessary information and documents completing and submitting forms to the State Victim's Compensation Program.
5. Initiates and maintains computerized case files to document case activities.
6. Confers with attorneys and law enforcement on the issues affecting a victim's ability and willingness to cooperate with the investigation and prosecution or other pertinent issues.
7. Conducts outreach presentations on victimization with emphasis on prevention; supervises volunteers assigned to the program; promotes the program by preparing written articles and public service announcements, as well as speaking before and participating in community agencies.
8. Handles complicated cases including felonies, and cases with long proceedings, multiple victims/witnesses, and more complex legal steps.

Employment Standards
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must provide detailed information on their application to demonstrate how they meet the employment standards (minimum qualifications), including any transcripts that may qualify you for this position.

1. Three years of experience within the criminal justice or social service systems in interviewing, counseling, or referring others to community resources. For the II level, education in the behavioral sciences or criminal justice is desirable and may be substituted for up to two years of the required experience (24 units in either/both fields = 1 year of experience; 48 semester units in either/both fields = 2 years of experience); OR,
2. Two years of experience equivalent to Victim Witness Program Assistant I. Educational units in either field may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience (24 units in either/both fields = 1 year of experience) as a Victim Witness Program Assistant I; 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.

Additional Qualifications:

• The ability to read, write, and converse fluently in English and Spanish is preferred for this vacancy. Note: You must self-certify on the application form that you can read, write, and converse fluently in English and Spanish. Hiring departments may test you on your fluency. If you do not demonstrate sufficient fluency, your name may be withheld from future certifications or removed from the employment list.
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License may be required.

Knowledge of: Interviewing techniques; characteristics of human behavior; criminal justice system; English grammar, usage and punctuation.
Ability to: Read and understand California Statutes as they apply to victims' rights; respond supportively to the needs of victims and witnesses; work in an organized and accurate manner; obtain information through interview and observation; find and use community resources; transport and accompany victims; write reports, publicity articles, and public service announcements; create and maintain computer files and learn database software; act as a liaison between criminal justice personnel and victims; create and deliver informational presentations before groups of people; participate in community agencies; apply, and explain legal procedures; work well with a wide variety of people; maintain confidentiality of sensitive information.
Supplemental Information
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:
1. Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. Supplemental Questionnaire Ranking: Responses to the required supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and scored. Candidates' final score and rank on the eligibility list will be determined by their responses to the supplemental questionnaire. This process may be eliminated if there are fewer than 11 qualified candidates.
Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the supplemental questionnaire ranking assessment 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 are successful in the selection 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 will receive an email 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.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION AND MEDICAL EVALUATION: Once a conditional offer of employment has been made, candidate will be required to successfully complete a background investigation, which includes a Live Scan, conviction history, and satisfactory reference checks. Appointee will be subject to a post-offer medical evaluation or examination. Current or excessive use of drugs, sale of drugs, serious criminal history, or deception relating to employment history may bar employment. The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.
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.
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) StatementThe 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 Note: The County of Santa Barbara offer excellent benefits. For more information click For 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: August 14, 2026 at 4:59 PM PST; postmarks will not be accepted. Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at
If you have any questions, please contact Collin Graham, Recruiter at
Retirement Plans

• Generous County Defined Benefit Plan
• Eligible to participate in 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
• Retirement Reciprocity with CalPERS, CalSTRS, and 1937 Act plans
• For more information on our retirement plans, please visit: and

Health Benefits

• Choice of dental, vision and medical plans. In addition to the Benefit Allowance noted above, the County contributes toward medical premiums and dental premiums
• On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria which provide ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers free, confidential assistance with personal and workplace problems to employees and their immediate family members
• Healthcare Advocacy Program to help employees navigate the complexities of health plan benefits
• Available Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Account (HSA), Supplemental Term or Whole Life Insurance, Personal Accident Insurance, Critical Illness Insurance, Accident Insurance and more!
• For more information on our health benefits, please visit:

Paid Time Off

• Vacation Leave 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment
• Sick Leave 12 days annually with unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service cred