Deputy Probation Officer

Salary : $85,891.52 - $109,865.60 Annually

Location : County of Santa Barbara - All locations, CA

Job Type : Full-time

Job Number : 25-6061-01 (O)

Department : Probation

Opening Date : 02 / 28 / 2025

Closing Date : 12 / 18 / 2025 5 : 00 PM Pacific

Description

NOTICE OF CHANGE : This recruitment will now close on Thursday December 18, 2025, at 4 : 59 p.m. PST, and will re-open the following day on Friday December 19, 2025.

First consideration will be given to all applications received by December 18, 2025.

(Applicants who have submitted an application by December 18, 2025, do not have to re-submit another)

SALARY / BENEFITS :

$86,186 - $110,242 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 :

Examples of Duties

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

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.

Supplemental Information

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 :

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.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement

The County of Santa Barbara provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants and prohibits discrimination, harassment, and retaliation of any type with regard to any characteristic or status protected by any federal law, state law, or Santa Barbara County ordinance. The County continues to be committed to a merit-based selection process and to eliminating barriers to attracting and retaining top qualified candidates. The County has a long-standing practice of providing a work environment that respects the dignity of individual employees and values their contributions to our organization.

APPLICATION AND SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE DEADLINE : Friday, November 21, 2025; at 4 : 59 PM PST

Applications and job bulletins can be obtained 24 hours a day at .

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

01

I acknowledge that it is my responsibility as an applicant to provide sufficient information on my application to demonstrate that my education and experience meets the employment standards (minimum qualifications) for this position as detailed in the job bulletin. I further acknowledge that if the County determines that I do not meet the employment standards there will be no opportunity for me to provide additional information regarding my application after the closing date listed on the job bulletin. Therefore, I understand that before submitting a job application, it is important that I review the job bulletin thoroughly and ensure that my application clearly reflects how my education and experience meets the employment standards at the time I submit my application.

02

The Human Resources Department communicates with All Applicants through e-mail. Please make sure your email address is entered correctly and it is current. If you feel you are not receiving your emails, please check your spam or junk inbox for our emails. Please check selection process on job bulletin for dates notices will be sent out and dates the information is required to be completed.

03

As part of the application process, a completed supplemental questionnaire must be submitted along with the standard application. Resumes will be accepted, but NOT in lieu of a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.

04

Some positions may require you to Speak, Read, and Write in English and Spanish. Please check your fluency.

05

This position requires that you are willing to work at All Locations and you are agreeing to these terms, regardless of your selection on your application. All candidates hired, can be placed at any location and transferred to another location during your employment with Santa Barbara County.

06

Please select the highest level of education you have obtained. If you do not have a degree in sociology, psychology, criminology, or a related field you are REQUIRED to attach your unofficial college transcripts.

07

Are you currently in your final quarter or semester (last 3 or 4 months) of study leading to the required degree? If yes, please keep in mind, you are encouraged to apply. Please answer the questions that would best fit how you qualify. Applicants may compete in the examination process but may not be considered for appointment until they have attained the required degree and emailed a copy of degree to the Probation Department.

08

To be considered for this position your application MUST meet one of the EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS listed below : Please select which EMPLOYMENT STANDARD you meet to qualify for this position.

09

If you selected employment standard option 2 or 3 from the previous question, please describe in detail your work experience performing duties equivalent to the Juvenile Institutions Officer and Juvenile Institutions Officer, Senior position :

10

The following questions are characteristics that are REQUIRED of a Deputy Probation Officer. Please note that if you select "no" for any of the questions below this position may not be a good fit for you.

11

This recruitment requires that you are willing to work in any location within the county. Are you willing to work in any location within the county?

12

Are you willing to refrain from associating with justice involved individuals in accordance with the Santa Barbara County Probation Department's Policies and procedures?

13

Are you able to maintain confidentiality of information, such as arrest and conviction records, medical history, and mental health status?

14

Depending on assignment, are you willing to work on standby duty, where you may be called to work outside normal business hours and are you willing to respond to law enforcement telephone calls regarding clients at any time day or night?

15

Are you willing to perform CPR / First Aid on a person if necessary?

16

Do you understand you may need to physically restrain a subject if necessary?

17

Are you willing to make recommendations to a judge regarding an appropriate sentence for a convicted offender (e.g., jail time, probation, community service, restitution, etc.)?

18

Are you willing to administer a urine drug test to a person on probation?

19

Are you willing to conduct legal searches of homes of probationers for contraband or to locate wanted suspects, while accompanied by appropriate law enforcement or probation staff?

20

Are you willing to wear a uniform in accordance with departmental policy?

21

I understand that as part of the selection process for Deputy Probation Officer, I will undergo a thorough background investigation, including a polygraph examination. Once I have been given a conditional offer of employment and accept it, I will undergo a psychological and physical examination. Any falsification of information or failure to meet the standards listed above will result in my disqualification. I acknowledge that I have read and understand the information listed above.

Required Question