SALARY / BENEFITS:
$83,796.96 - $107,186.56 Annually, plus bilingual and uniform allowance when applicable.
BENEFITS OVERVIEW:
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:
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.
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:
Additional Qualification within one year probationary period:
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:
Assignments to this classification may require working some nights, holidays, and/or weekend. Wearing a uniform is required.
APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCESS:
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: https://www.bscc.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/COB.pdf (Download PDF reader)
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:
After a conditional offer of employment has been accepted, appointee must successfully complete the following:
The appointee must satisfactorily complete a one-year probationary period.
Firearms: Carrying a firearm is not required, and most DPOs do not carry firearms. However, in some assignments, officers may exercise their right to request to carry a department-issued firearm, subject to successful completion of department-required training and approval by the Chief Probation Officer. Assignment to certain units requires training of all officers in the use of firearms, whether or not individual officers choose to carry one. As a DPO promotes through the career series to the senior or supervisory level, he or she may be required (depending on assignment) to undergo firearms training and quarterly qualification at the firing range, even if the individual chooses not to carry a firearm.
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.
Statement of Commitment
The County of Santa Barbara is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining an environment that exhibits equity and inclusion everywhere, and at all levels of our organization. The County believes equity is a fundamental principle that must be imbedded in policies, institutional practices and systems. The County recognizes the negative impacts of systemic racism and is committed to eliminating the barriers affecting our Black, Latinx, Indigenous, and Asian community members, as well as people of other diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds. We envision a world where society and its systems (e.g. education, criminal justice, and health care, housing the economy) are just, fair, and inclusive, enabling all people to participate and reach their full potential.
We celebrate community and employee diversity, strive for inclusion and belonging, and promote empowered participation. We aspire to build a workforce that is reflective of these values and the communities we serve. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and will resolutely uphold federal, California state law and/or Santa Barbara County ordinances.
We believe equity and inclusion are vital to fulfill the County’s mission and to embody a culture of “One County, One Future.” Expanding the full range of employee talent allows the County to deliver our best to all our community members.
We believe in the dignity and humanity of all people. We strive for a healthy and prosperous society that promotes all people having equitable access and opportunity.
APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE: March 28, 2025; at 4:59 PM PST
Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at www.sbcountyjobs.com.
If you have questions regarding the recruitment not answered in this job announcement, please email Marisa Ortiz, Supervising Probation Officer, at marreol@countyofsb.org.
Retirement Plans
Health Benefits
Paid Time Off
Miscellaneous Benefits
Compensation Summary