Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Kings County Government Center, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd, Hanford, CA
Job Type: Full-time permanent
Job Number: 2025-131
Department: Probation
Division: Juvenile Secure Track
Opening Date: 06/22/2026
Closing Date: 7/2/2026 5:00 PM Pacific
JOB OPPORTUNITY
The Kings County Probation Department is currently seeking qualified individuals for the position of:
JUVENILE SERVICES OFFICER I/II
Level I $49,961.60 - $60,964.80 Annually
Level II $55,182.40 - $67,329.60 Annually
The Kings County Probation Department is seeking responsible, dependable, and professional individuals interested in a rewarding career in the corrections field, working with juveniles in a structured institutional setting. Juvenile Services Officers are responsible for the supervision, safety, and rehabilitation of youth.
Training will be provided! Must be able to work shifts, including nights, holidays and weekends. Future vacancies throughout the County for this position may be filled from the eligible list to be established.
NOTE: All Juvenile Services Officers are defined as Peace Officers pursuant to Penal Code Section 830.5. Consistent with the Penal Code and at the direction of the Chief Probation Officer, Juvenile Services Officer incumbents may be authorized and/or required to maintain and use a firearm while on duty.
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DUTY SAMPLE
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
Some duties, knowledge, skills, and abilities may be performed in a learning capacity for entry-level (I Level) positions.
- Oversees, monitors, and ensures the safety and security of youth and young adults; ensures compliance with regulatory requirements and department policies and procedures.
- Plans, organizes, and supervises a program of work, education, and recreation for a group of youth and young adults in the County's Juvenile Custodial Facilities or other probation custodial facility; monitors daily activities and leisure time to ensure adherence to established schedules; conducts room and other visual checks for facility security and health related purposes.
- Performs group and individual counseling of youth and young adults including facilitation of cognitive behavioral programs, engaging parents, drug/alcohol counseling, academic achievement, recreational activities, basic vocational training, assisting with emotionally distressed or self-destructive youth and young adults, and obtaining mental health assistance.
- Provides situational counseling related to the physical, emotional, and social development of youth and young adults; develops treatment plans including behavior modification goals; provides crisis intervention and referral as required; conducts or assists in group sessions to provide supportive counseling and self-help education.
- Records periodic chronological progress report entries in individual case files including daily records of activities and observations of adjustment; reviews case plans to monitor progress.
- Recognizes signs of disabilities, health problems, suicide risk, assaults, etc., and takes appropriate action to protect the well-being of youth and young adults. Obtains medical assistance and provides basic assistance to juveniles with mobility issues.
- Completes orientation with newly detained youth; explains rules, policies, expectations and consequences to youth; listens and responds appropriately to questions, concerns, complaints and requests and provides assistance in resolving problems.
- Supervises youth and young adults while on community services projects and vocational readiness projects; ensures the completion of work in a timely manner, a safe work site, and that proper and safe working procedures are followed.
- Confers with assigned supervisor and others regarding behavioral concerns and to determine appropriate discipline for rule infractions; implements disciplinary actions; holds youth and young adults accountable for their behavior.
- Distributes meals and works with the County jail kitchen to coordinate the delivery and distribution of youth and young adults' meals.
- Facilitates sick calls, renders first aid as needed, reviews medical orders, ensures youth and young adults receive prescribed medication when appropriate.
- Oversees control room; compiles, updates, and generates reports on youth and young adults in custody; completes and maintains files; verifies and ensures accuracy of data; documents daily activities, behavioral observations, and general information; monitors and records progress on counseling goals.
- Supervises on-site visitations; remains alert for potential problems and takes measures to reduce tension and avoid violence.
- Transports youth and young adults to and from the court, healthcare appointments, work sites, and other custodial facilities.
- Provides training to experienced staff and volunteers as assigned.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS **Minimum requirements must be met by the closing date**
Please note: Work experience for the last 15 years must be included in the work history portion of your application. It is also important that your application show all the relevant education and experience that you possess, even if it extends beyond the required past 15 years.
A resume may be attached, but it is not a substitute for completing the application and supplemental questions. Failure to submit a completed application may eliminate you from the recruitment.When completing the work history portion of your application please include each level position title and level as a separate entry when applicable (e.g., If you were a Level I and promoted to Level II, each level should be entered separately to reflect the time held at each level).
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Education:
- Equivalent to completion of the twelfth (12th) grade.
Experience:
- Juvenile Services Officer I: None required.
- Juvenile Services Officer II: One (1) year of increasingly responsible experience at a level equivalent to the classification of Juvenile Services Officer I with Kings County.
LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS
Licenses:
- Possession of a valid California driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.
Certifications:
Juvenile Services Officer I:
- Possession of, or ability to obtain during a one (1) year probationary period, an appropriate Standards and Training for Corrections (STC) Basic Juvenile Corrections Officer Core Course certified by the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC).
- Possession of, or ability to obtain during a one (1) year probationary period, a valid certificate of completion of Penal Code 832 Laws of Arrest Course issued by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.).
- Possession of, or ability to obtain during a one (1) year probationary period, a valid First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate to be maintained throughout employment.
- Possession of, or ability to obtain during a one (1) year probationary period, a chemical restraint course certification for carrying Oleoresin Capsicum, commonly known as pepper spray, to be maintained throughout employment.
Juvenile Services Officer II:
- Possession of a valid certificate of completion for STC Basic Juvenile Corrections Officer Core Course certified by the BSCC.
- Possession of a valid certificate of completion of Penal Code 832 Laws of Arrest Course issued by the P.O.S.T.
- Ability to obtain a valid certificate of completion of Penal Code 832 Firearms Course issued by the P.O.S.T., based on assignment.
- Possession of a valid First Aid and CPR certificate to be maintained throughout employment.
- Possession of a chemical restraint course certification for carrying Oleoresin Capsicum, commonly known as pepper spray, to be maintained throughout employment.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation (including, but not limited to a medical and psychological evaluations) and fingerprint check. Ability to work standard eight-hour shifts or alternate shifts, such as ten- or twelve-hour shifts, work irregular hours including emergencies, evenings, weekends and holidays, work varying shifts as necessary, and work overtime or mandated overtime. Ability to work in a locked detentions facility which enforces a "lock down, no hostages" policy. Ability to qualify for and carry a firearm for certain assignments.
Must meet minimum standards as described in California Government Code Sections 1029 and 1031. Must meet physical standards established by the California Board of Corrections and any other pre-employment as well as ongoing peace officer requirements pursuant to federal, state, and local legislation.
For a complete description of duties and qualifications, please view the detailed job specification below.
SELECTION PROCESS: **EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER**
All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed. Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the examination process may include a screening committee (pass/fail) and/or written examination (pass/fail) and/or an oral examination (100%) which may include a written practical component to determine placement on the eligible list.
Note: Those applicants who are among the top 40 written test scores will be invited to participate in the oral examination process.
VETERAN'S PREFERENCE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
You must submit a certified DD-214 and a new request form for each application submission prior to the closing date.
TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Final Date to Apply: July 2, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Written Examination: Week of July 27, 2026
HR Oral Examination: Week of August 10, 2026
Retirement Benefits: Eligible employees are enrolled in the Public Employees Retirement System, known as CalPERS. The County contracts with the CalPERS for this benefit in the miscellaneous or safety plans as appropriate. The County has reciprocity with other qualifying public retirement systems in California.
Effective January 1, 2013, all new members to CalPERS, or existing members with more than a 6 month break in service from a qualifying previous public employer, will be enrolled in one of the following CalPERS retirement plans (with three year average final compensation) based on their classification:
Miscellaneous - 2% at 62
Safety - 2.7% at 57
If a new employee is currently a member of a qualifying California public retirement plan without a break in service of no more than 6 months (documentation will be required), or ever worked for Kings County previously, they may qualify instead for either of these plans (with single highest year final compensation) in effect prior to January 1, 2013:
Miscellaneous - 2% at 55
Safety - 3% at 55
The new formulas will not apply to existing County employees hired prior to 12/31/12 who promote or transfer to a different position, or into a position covered by a different PERS plan (e.g. move from a position covered by the Miscellaneous Plan to one covered by the Safety Plan).
Health Insurance: Medical, dental, vision, prescription drugs, mental health, and chiropractic care for employees and their eligible dependents is available. The portion of the monthly cost that the employees are responsible for depends on their bargaining unit. The County offers a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The County has an Employee Health Center available to Kings County employees and their dependents enrolled in the County health plan.
Deferred Compensation: Participation is voluntary. One plan with several investment options is available. For more information on the eligibility of a contribution match, please refer to the applicable
Holidays: New Year's Day, Martin Luther King Day, Presidents' Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Veterans' Day, Thanksgiving Day and day after, Christmas Eve; Christmas Day; and half-day New Year's Eve. Holiday credit may vary for law enforcement, fire, and other employees required to work on a holiday. Refer to the for information on the paid holiday closure.
Vacation: Eligible employees earn from two to four weeks of paid vacation per year, depending on their length of service and bargaining unit agreements.
Sick Leave: Sick Leave is accrued for each hour worked. Accrual rates vary depending on date of hire and bargaining unit agreements. The accumulation of sick leave starts from your first day of employment and sick leave may be requested subsequent to the time it is earned.
Retiree Health Insurance: Upon retirement from the County, and depending on bargaining unit agreements, a percentage of accrued sick leave may be converted to be used to pay for retiree health insurance benefits for eligible employee and spouse.
Education Reimbursement Program: Full-time, permanent employees are eligible to receive up to $500 for units earned toward an associate's degree, or up to $1,500 for units toward a bachelor's or master's degree. Pe
