Senior Probation Officer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $85,891.52 - $109,865.60 Annually
Location : County of Santa Barbara - All locations, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 26-6061-01 (O)
Department: Probation
Opening Date: 12/19/2025
Description
SALARY / BENEFITS:
$85,891.52 - $109,865.60 Annually, plus bilingual and uniform allowance when applicable.
BENEFITS OVERVIEW:

• Vacation: 12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment.
• Holidays: 12 days per year.
• Sick Leave: 12 days sick leave per year. Unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement.
• Health Plan: Choice of medical and dental plans (with vision care). County contributes toward the employee's premium.
• On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria: Provides ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents over age of 2.
• For County benefits, please visit In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for retirement reciprocity and time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate.

The Probation Department is accepting applications to fill full-time vacancies for the Deputy Probation Officer position in "All Locations." We are accepting applications to establish one list that will be used to fill current and future vacancies at all locations (separate lists for different locations will not be established). Therefore, applicants must check "All Locations" on the application AND be willing to accept an initial assignment at any location. It is required that you select "All Locations" on the application to be considered.
Some positions that may be filled by this recruitment have been vacated as a result of a leave of absence (CS Rule 1414) and the duration of those appointments shall be subject to the return of the individuals who are on leave. A person who is appointed to a position under CS Rule 1414 may be able to transition into a regular position in the classification without re-application or re-testing, depending on the performance of the appointee and the needs of the department.
The Position: Under general supervision, provides professional casework services to adult and juvenile offenders and their families; supervises, motivates, and rehabilitates adult and juvenile offenders; conducts pre-sentencing investigations; carries out special assignments; and performs related duties as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Deputy Probation Officer (DPO) is the entry-/journey-level class in the series. Deputy Probation Officer is distinguished from Deputy Probation Officer, Senior in that the latter is the lead worker level in Probation Field Service operations and the first line shift supervisor level within a Probation Institution.
The IDEAL CANDIDATE will possess:

• Strong written, and verbal communication
• Reputation for honesty and trustworthiness
• Excellent command presence
• Good moral character
• Credibility
• Integrity

Examples of Duties

1. Conducts investigations which include interviewing adult or juvenile offenders, their families and interested individuals, and reviewing documents such as police reports, court transcripts and criminal records; makes assessments regarding the nature of the individual's environmental, employment, financial or domestic difficulties as they apply to the case; makes recommendations for sentencing and dispositions of probationers; prepares probation plans.
   
2. Assures that terms and conditions of probation are complied with; coordinates case management with representatives of criminal justice and social service agencies in cases of mutual interest by providing and receiving information on case investigation and status; advises and makes referrals of adults, juveniles, or their families to available community resources to aid in solving their psychosocial problems; motivates, monitors and evaluates probationer's progress; makes written and oral recommendations to the courts for continuance or dismissal of probation status, or to return probationer to the judicial system.
   
3. Makes arrests and conducts vehicle, building, and body searches as necessary and authorized; observes, collects and examines urine samples; administers chemical, skin, and eye/pupil checks for illegal substances or alcohol abuse; transports adult and juvenile offenders when necessary.
   
4. Carries an assigned caseload involving adult and/or juvenile offenders; conducts field contacts and home visits; prepares petitions, violations, correspondence, case histories, regular and special reports, and maintains case files; monitors payment records to ensure-court ordered collection of fines, fees, and restitution is carried out; conducts civil investigations and may conduct juvenile traffic hearings.
   
5. May train colleagues in a specialized area of expertise; may train and guide Extra Help employees and volunteers.

Employment Standards
To be considered for this position, applicants must demonstrate how they meet the employment standards. Applicants will need to attach all relevant degrees and/or unofficial transcripts to their application

1. Possession of a bachelor's degree that included 27 quarter units or 18 semester units of coursework in sociology, psychology, criminology, or a related field that would provide the required knowledge and abilities; OR,
2. Completion of 90 quarter units or 60 semester units of college coursework, including 14 quarter or 9 semester units in sociology, psychology, criminology, or a related field that would provide the required knowledge and abilities AND two years of experience performing duties equivalent to Juvenile Institutions Officer, at least one year of which is at the Senior level, or to Probation Assistant with Santa Barbara County; 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.

Note: Applicants who are currently in their final quarter or semester of study leading to the required education are encouraged to apply. Such applicants may compete in the examination process but may not be considered for appointment until they have attained the required education units.
Additional Requirements:

• Must meet minimum peace officer standards as specified in California Government Code Sections 1029 and 1031, including but not limited to: not currently on probation for a misdemeanor; no prior felony convictions (unless fully pardoned); good moral character as determined by thorough background investigation (this includes a polygraph examination); submission of fingerprints for purpose of a criminal record check; and found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the powers of a peace officer.
• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver License. Driver's license must be kept valid throughout the term of employment. Incumbents must be able to travel independently.

Additional Qualification within one-year probationary period:

• Unless previously completed, candidates must complete and successfully pass a Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) approved "Core" Training course within the first year of employment. (This five-week course may be held outside the County.) Additional physical training, such as unarmed defensive tactics, may be required for assignment to some units.
• Possession of First Aid and CPR certificates
• Possession of §832 PC

Knowledge of: standard English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and usage; college-level report writing; standard computer applications used in an office; socioeconomic, psychosocial, and cultural influences on individual behavior; basic math including addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division of whole numbers and percentages.
Ability to: read and comprehend material at college level; establish and maintain effective, constructive, motivational relationships with probationers from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds; observe and record events and information; interpret behavior patterns; make appropriate referrals; work cooperatively with others; read, understand, and apply relevant laws; analyze information in order to make sound, objective decisions; work well under pressure; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; interview and elicit information from others; organize work and files; perform basic arithmetical calculations; learn casework objectives and investigation techniques; learn probation laws regarding investigations; learn to read and understand financial and accounting statements; learn, apply, and teach departmental procedures; learn how social, environmental, and psychological influences affect human behavior; learn and apply principles of cognitive, social, physiological and psychological development; learn the functions, structures, processes and interactions of the basic components of the criminal justice system; learn and apply constitutional and procedural considerations affecting arrest, search and seizure; kinds and degrees of evidence and rules governing admissibility; judicial decisions interpreting individual rights; use a computer keyboard.
Desirable Qualifications:

• Communication: Bilingual Spanish skills are desirable. The ability to read, write, and converse fluently in English and Spanish is desirable for some positions. Hiring departments will test you on your fluency. If you do not demonstrate sufficient fluency, your name may be withheld from future certification or removed from the bilingual employment list, in accordance with Civil Service Rule 7.

Assignments to this classification may require working some nights, holidays, and/or weekend. Wearing a uniform is required.
Supplemental Information
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:

1. Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Review: Review applications and supplemental questionnaire to determine those applicants who meet the employment standards.
2. Personal History Questionnaire (PHQ): Candidates who are qualified will be notified by email to complete and submit a Personal History Questionnaire. Candidates who successfully pass the PHQ will advance to the next step in the selection process. Failure to submit a PHQ by the deadline or not passing the PHQ will result in a disqualification from the recruitment.
3. Computerized Written Examination: Candidates who passed the PHQ will be notified via email with instructions for taking a computerized examination. Based on number of candidates who are invited to the exam, the testing format and/or testing dates could be subject to change.

Candidates must receive a percentage score of at least 70 on the computerized written examination 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 six months. At the time the employment list is established, all candidates receive written notice of their score on the exam(s), rank on the employment list and exact duration of the employment list.
A "Candidate Orientation Booklet" is available for the multiple-choice portion of the exam. The booklet provides an overview of the exam format and some sample questions. The booklet is not intended to be a study guide but is aimed at reducing test anxiety and giving candidates some information about what to expect on the test.
Please Note: The Santa Barbara County Human Resources Department does not have copies of this booklet.
Use the following link to access the booklet:
REASONABLE ACCOMODATIONS: 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.
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.
Veteran's preference credit is applicable for this recruitment (5 points for veterans, 10 points for disabled veterans). To be eligible for this credit, you must be applying for this position within five years from your most recent date of: (1) honorable discharge from active military service; or, (2) discharge from a military or veterans' hospital where treatment and confinement were for a disability incurred during active military service; or, (3) completion of education or training funded by the Federal Educational Assistance Act. No time limit exists for veterans with 30% or more disability. To receive veteran's preference points, you must: (1) check the Veteran's Preference Points box on the employment application form, (2) submit a copy of your Form DD214 to the Human Resources Department on or before the test date, and (3) pass all phases of the examination process. The preference points will be added to your final test score.
All candidates for the job of Deputy Probation Officer must successfully complete the following:

• BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION includes an interview and a thorough check of police records, personal, military, and employment histories, and inquiry of persons who know you and evaluate whether you: respect the law and rights of others; are dependable and responsible; have demonstrated mature judgment in areas such as the use of drugs and intoxi...