Program Development Manager Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA

Salary : $124,225.38 - $151,024.00 Annually
Location : Santa Rosa, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26/06-3084-O
Department: Probation Department (PRB)
Opening Date: 06/30/2026
Closing Date: 7/14/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 50
Position Information
The County of Sonoma Probation Department (PRB) is seeking a Probation Program Development Manager to join their team!
Starting salary up to $72.36/hour ($151,024/year) and a competitive total compensation package!*
The Probation Program Development Manager (PPDM) is responsible for driving innovation, improving organizational effectiveness, and advancing evidence-based practices throughout the Probation Department. Reporting to the Director of Research and Innovation, this role leads a multidisciplinary team dedicated to enhancing programs, improving outcomes, and supporting the department's mission through data-informed decision-making and continuous improvement.
Additional responsibilities include:

• Lead department-wide program development, evaluation, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Develop and implement quality assurance and quality improvement strategies
• Oversee research, data analysis, and program evaluation efforts to measure impact and inform policy
• Identify and implement evidence-based practices that improve services and outcomes
• Build collaborative partnerships across the County, statewide networks, and community organizations

The ideal candidate is a collaborative and influential leader who excels at bringing people together, inspiring change, and effectively communicating the purpose and value of new initiatives. You will demonstrate empathy, embrace feedback, and are passionate about advancing evidence-based practices and equitable outcomes through strong partnerships and continuous improvement. You will also possess many of the following:

• Proficient at using Microsoft Excel, SQL, and SPSS for a variety of statistical analyses
• Excellent analytical qualities to evaluate programs, analyze complex data, identify trends, and drive meaningful change
• The ability to coach, mentor, and teach others on program implementation, evaluation, and best practices
• Organizational skills, managing multiple priorities, projects, and deadlines simultaneously
• A collaborative attitude as a leader who fosters a culture of learning, innovation, and accountability

The Probation Department
The Probation Department is committed to enhancing community safety and improving lives through evidence-based practices that help individuals develop the skills needed to overcome challenges, make positive choices, and achieve long-term success. Working collaboratively with community partners, the department connects clients to valuable services and resources, including education, employment assistance, treatment programs, and housing support. As a vital partner in the justice system, Probation promotes accountability, supports victims, provides critical information to the courts, and works alongside law enforcement and community organizations to build safer, healthier communities.
What We Offer
Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits* including:

• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• Staff Development/Wellness - Annual benefit allowances of up to $2,000 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Incentive Retirement Savings Plan (IRSP) and 457 Voluntary Deferred Compensation - 3%/ of salary County contribution to a 401(a), in addition to the County matching up to 1% of base salary in 401(a), based upon employee contribution
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment
• Additional Benefits - Excellent dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, professional development, and more
• Student Loan Debt Relief - County employees may be eligible for through the U.S. Department of Education

*Salary is negotiable within the established range. Benefits described herein do not represent a contract and may be changed without notice. Additional information can be found in the and our
This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help (temporary) positions as they occur during the active status of the list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future positions should consider applying to this recruitment. The Civil Service Title for this position is Program Development Manager.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.
Minimum Qualifications
Experience: Any combination of training and experience which would provide an opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, four years experience providing various social, employment, counseling, or related services, including at least two years in a supervisory, planning or administrative capacity would provide such opportunity.
Education: Any combination of education and training which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, significant college level coursework in social work, gerontology, public administration, business administration, economics, psychology, sociology, or a closely related area would provide this opportunity. A minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and in some cases a Master's Degree in a field related to the assigned division is highly desirable and may be required for some positions.
Specific experience related to the assigned program may be required for designated positions.
License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment, to perform the essential job functions of the position.
The position advertised on this announcement does not require possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Considerable knowledge of: the legislation and laws which regulate the operations of assigned human services or child support programs and activities; techniques, principles and work of the assigned division; the principles and practices of program planning and evaluation, needs assessment, and research methodology; the principles and practices of grant preparation and review; contract development and monitoring practices and standards; community resources and service agencies, including both private and other public agencies; social and economic problems which call for the use of public and private county services; principles and practices of casework methodologies; the principles and practices of public economic assistance and services programs; modern methods of human services administration; the principles and practices of personnel management, employee supervision, and training; budgeting and financial analysis including governmental sources of funding.
Ability to: plan, organize, coordinate, and manage the program operations, development and planning functions within assigned program(s); develop, monitor, and ensure maintenance of reasonable performance standards; select, train, and supervise staff; develop, analyze, and monitor the planning, RFP and contracting process; develop and manage community relations and support activities for assigned programs; develop, evaluate, and analyze operational policies and procedures; analyze problems and complaints and identify solutions; prepare, interpret and evaluate a variety of narrative and statistical data and reports; communicate orally and in writing on a variety of issues; understand, interpret and apply procedures, laws, rules and regulations as they apply to assigned area; ensure proper compliance with federal, state and local guidelines, policies, goals, rules and regulations; develop and maintain harmonious relationships with employees, public officials, community groups, other agencies and the general public.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.
Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.
Responses to supplemental questions will be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.
The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:
An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Personally identifiable information (PII) is removed from the standard application fields and applicable attachments. This PII blind screening practice redacts a candidate's personal information that could potentially influence or bias the scoring process. Personal information includes the applicant's name, former last name, address, phone number, email, driver's license number, school name, education start and end dates, age, date of birth, gender, and race. This PII blind screening practice helps contribute to a fair and equitable examination process.
Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination which evaluates the education, training, experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, and other qualifications that you demonstrate in your application and/or response to the supplemental questionnaire. Please be aware that resumes and cover letters are not typically evaluated in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.
Additional Information
It is the policy of law enforcement and legal offices and departments, in the County of Sonoma, that candidates complete a thorough background investigation process prior to employment. This policy is imperative to keep the department's employees and the public safe and to maintain high standards in the law enforcement community. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to candidates.
The background investigation will include a thorough assessment of a candidate's personal, employment, educational, criminal, and credit history. The investigation may include but is not necessarily limited to: the use of prescription and/or other drugs, reports from former employers, friends, family members, educational institutions, law enforcement agencies, credit reports, court reports, public records search, and/or other relevant sources. Candidates must be honest and forthcoming about information that may arise during the background process. Deception during any portion of this process is grounds for disqualification, even after employment.
All candidates will be required to take a pre-employment