Kern County Probation Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Introduction
Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer is a great place to live, work, play, and learn! For more information about Placer County, please visit www.placer.ca.gov.
Qualified applications received by September 1, 2026 at 5:00pm will be invited to participate in the written examination the week of September 28, 2026.
POSITION INFORMATION
The Placer County Probation Department is currently hiring for Deputy Probation Officer I - Field.
The eligible list created by this recruitment may be used to fill future County-wide vacancies for permanent positions.
BENEFITS
Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.
DEFINITION
To investigate cases of youth or adult applicants for probation; and to supervise and counsel youth and adults on probation.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the entry-level class in the Deputy Probation Officer - Field series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level. This class is typically used as a training class for Probation Department field assignments, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks. This class is distinguished from the Probation Assistant by performance of the full scope of sworn probation duties, such as search and arrest, and is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties in both court and field supervision of adults or youth. This class is flexibly allocated with Deputy Probation Officer II -Field.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives immediate to general supervision from a Supervising Deputy Probation Officer or Probation Manager; may receive technical and functional supervision from a Senior Deputy Probation Officer - Field.
EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES
Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Interview adults or youth, their families, and interested individuals; read police reports and other psychological and medical evaluations; interview victims; make recommendations about advisability of probation; when probation is indicated, formulate plans of probation and make recommendations to the court on plans for the adjustment and rehabilitation of the offender.
• Conduct investigations in all youth matters referred to the Probation Department; analyze information and act in accordance with State law and Departmental policy; draw affidavits for referral to the District Attorney.
• Represent the Probation Department in the various pre-adjudicatory hearings; prepare court reports making recommendations for dispositions; make reports to the courts on probationers' progress, recommending modification, dismissal, or revocation where necessary.
• Investigate adult referrals from the courts; conduct pre-sentence investigations and prepare written reports and recommendations for the courts; appear in court to represent the Probation Department at various hearings.
• Act as Intake Officer and Citation Hearing Officer; investigate and confer with the District Attorney; make recommendations to the court regarding release or detention pending further court actions; conduct probationary citation hearings for youth cited for misdemeanors with no prior record.
• Conduct risk assessment on probationers and recommend level of supervision; screen probationers for appropriate program and services referrals; supervise adults and youth in the field, in the office, and through review of reports; monitor the activities and treatment programs of youth and adult probationers; identify and monitor behavioral changes and use motivational interviewing strategies to support client success; enforce court orders and conditions of probation; conduct drug and alcohol testing; perform home, vehicle, and electronic searches; file violations of probation when probation conditions are not met; implement conflict resolution and de-escalation techniques, and execute arrests.
• Provide ongoing counseling and case management to assigned caseload; maintain an intensive caseload with high-risk youth and engage in a therapeutic relationship with clients.
• Establish contacts and work in close association with community agencies in developing and coordinating treatment programs for youth and adult probationers.
• Present youth crime prevention programs to schools and community groups.
• Serve as home supervision officer or diversion officer, working closely with allied agencies.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.
Experience and Training:
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience: No experience is required.
Training: Equivalent to bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university with major course work in the behavioral sciences, administration of justice, criminal justice, corrections or a closely related field.
Required License or Certificate:

• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
• Must successfully complete the minimum required hours of instruction in the Basic Probation Officers Core Course as certified by the Board of State and Community Corrections within one (1) year from date of hire.
• Must successfully complete Section 832 Penal Code Training (Search and Seizure) within one (1) year from date of hire.
• Must successfully complete the minimum number of hours of annual training as certified by the Board of State and Community Corrections in any year in which the incumbent is not enrolled in basic, supervisory, management, or administrator's course. The annual training is designed as continuing education to update knowledge and improve skills.
• Must maintain a valid First Aid and CPR Certificate.

Special Requirements:

• Employees in this classification are peace officers as defined by section 830.5 of the Penal Code and must satisfy the State of California criteria for peace officer status.
• Must be at least 21 years of age upon appointment.
• Must meet minimum standards required for Peace Officers as set forth in Section 1029 and 1031 of the Government Code.
• Must meet the Board of State and Community Corrections standards in Title 15, Sections 1320-1322.
• Must pass a background investigation.
• Must meet physical standards established for County Safety employees, including a psychological examination.
• Must qualify for use of a firearm.

NOTE: Relevant, equivalent experience (performing the same or similar job requiring similar knowledge, skills, and abilities) may be substituted for the required education as determined by the Human Resources Department.
NOTE: Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:

• Principles and theory of criminal justice and rehabilitation as applied to criminal offenders, including youth.
• Principles and theories of human behavior.
• Problems involved in handling youth and adult probationers under restraint.
• Principles of de-escalation and conflict resolution.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
• Computer software, applications, and systems, including word processing and spreadsheet applications.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; analyze individual behavior and situations to determine proper course of action; remember accounts given by witnesses; observe individuals, behaviors, situations, and activities and remember past behavior; identify situations of potential altercation; interpret and understand human behavior; read, identify, recall, analyze, interpret, understand, apply, and explain technical and numerical information, work papers, reports, procedures and policies, and applicable rules, laws, codes, and regulations; maintain awareness of safety at all times; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks with frequent interruptions; focus on a single task for long periods of time; manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and quickly switch between tasks; manage a high volume of cases.
• On a continuous basis, stand, walk, or sit at a desk while in meetings, while in a vehicle, or in the field; bend, twist, squat, stoop, crouch, kneel, reach, push, and pull while in the field and when working with youth or adults, and to reach office equipment; climb while in pursuit or to observe youth in the institution; manage physical confrontations when individuals resist arrest; perform simple and power grasping, and fine hand manipulation, speak, use a telephone, write, and use a keyboard to communicate and/or enter retrieve data from a computer; see, hear, and smell with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; wear utility belt, vest, and/or other law enforcement equipment weighing approximately 25 pounds; and lift very heavy weight.
• Work as part of a team and in close proximity to probationers.
• Work assigned shift, including weekends, holidays, and odd or irregular hours; work unusual work schedules, including rotating shifts and overtime.
• Learn the principles, practices, and techniques of modern adult and youth probation work.
• Learn state and local laws and ordinances, and Departmental policy and procedures affecting probation work.
• Learn causes, control, and treatment of youth and adult crime.
• Drive County-issued vehicles to perform field contacts.
• Understand and deal effectively with probation applicants and probationers.
• Analyze investigation materials to determine proper actions; determine truth of statements; exercise good judgment and make sound decisions under a variety of conditions; work effectively in stressful situations.
• Perform crisis intervention; give individual counseling and understand counseling techniques and methods.
• Perform arrest, search, and seizure activities safely and within the confines of the law.
• Learn to apply restraints, handcuffs, and shackles.
• Understand court processes; synthesize information into a formal recommendation to the court; write clear and concise court reports to inform the court of probationer progress.
• Coordinate efforts with other County departments and local law enforcement agencies as appropriate.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Read, understand, and apply court orders.
• Prepare clear and accurate detailed reports and other written materials.
• Maintain good physical, emotional, and mental condition to satisfactorily perform the functions of the position.
• Use and care for small firearms and other law enforcement equipment and tools as assigned.
• Lift and carry a person in the event of an emergency.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Be sensitive to various cultural and ethnic groups present in the community.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

SELECTION PROCEDURE
Written Examination (100%)
The written examination will consist of the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Selection Exam for Local Corrections. To locate the Candidate Orientation Booklet for this exam, which includes example questions, please click here.
Note: Applicants who have already taken the BSCC Selection Exam for Local Corrections within twelve (12) months of their scheduled testing date may attach their official score report notice (including agency name, exam name, exam date, and exam scores) to their application materials to forward their scores to Placer County.
Examinations will be scheduled throughout the year as applications are received. Qualified applicants will be notified of their scheduled testing date via email.
The written examination has been tentatively scheduled for the week of: September 28, 2026
CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT
Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a credit check, voice stress analysis, and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.
SUBSTITUTE