Chief Probation Officer

County Of Tuolumne; Sonora (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits package

Retirement benefits

Deferred compensation match

Job summary

County of Tuolumne seeks an experienced Public Safety executive to lead the Probation Department and guide strategic planning, budgeting, and policy implementation. The role involves working closely with the Board of Supervisors, criminal justice partners, and community stakeholders to deliver professional, integrated corrections services.

The ideal candidate combines public administration expertise with strong leadership, communication, and financial management skills, and can navigate a

Qualifications

• Degree in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or related field
• 10 years probation/corrections experience with at least 5 years in a management role
• Completion of STC Basic Supervisor Core Course (80 hours)

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage Probation Department operations
• Collaborate with Board of Supervisors and stakeholders
• Oversee budgeting and strategic planning
• Ensure compliance with policies and public safety standards

Skills

Collaborative leadership

Strategic planning

Communication

People management

Education

Bachelor's degree in psychology/sociology/criminal justice

Job description

The County of Tuolumne is seeking an experienced Public Safety executive to lead our Probation Department. The County of Tuolumne Probation Department is an intergral part of our regional justice system that strives to maintain a high level of professionalism, integrity, and positive working relationships with our fellow criminal jutice partners. We are committed to providing integrated, balanced services and solutions within community corrections which provides for a fair, just, and safe community. The department consists of an Adult division with 33 FTEs and a $6.7M budget and a Juvenile division with 17 FTEs and a $3.9M budget.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE

Under policy direction from the Presiding Judge and the Board of Supervisors, our new Chief Probation Officer will be an experienced and collaborative public-sector leader who understands the unique opportunities and challenges of managing a county public safety department. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in public administration, organizational leadership, community corrections, budgeting and financial management, strategic planning, personnel management, and policy implementation. Experience working directly with elected officials, governing boards, and community and criminal justice stakeholders will serve you well in this role.

The ideal candidate is a thoughtful, approachable, and decisive leader who can balance long-term strategic thinking with the day-to-day demands of County public safety government. They will be comfortable working in a complex political and organizational environment and will demonstrate sound judgment, professionalism, integrity, and discretion.

Our ideal candidate will be:

• A collaborative leader who builds strong relationships and works effectively across departments, agencies, and stakeholder groups.
• A strategic thinker who can anticipate emerging issues, identify opportunities, and translate broad goals into achievable strategies and measurable results.
• An effective communicator who can clearly explain complex issues to the Board of Supervisors, community members, and other stakeholders.
• A people-focused manager who develops employees, supports organizational excellence, and promotes accountability, teamwork, and professional growth.
• A change-oriented leader who can guide the organization through evolving community needs, financial pressures, regulatory requirements, and changing expectations for public services.
• A community-minded public servant who is committed to transparency, responsiveness, fiscal responsibility, and delivering high-quality services to residents.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from a four-year college or university with major coursework in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or related field and ten (10) years of increasingly responsible probation and corrections experience involving the evaluation, administration, management, and control of varied types of probation programs, including at least five (5) years at a management level.

Successful completion of Standards and Training for Corrections (STC) Basic Supervisor Core Course (80 hours of instruction).

Licenses and Certifications

• Possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid California Driver’s License by time of appointment and a satisfactory driving record.
• Possession of a valid California Penal Code 832 certificate, for appointment as a peace officer.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

In addition, the County has an excellent executive benefits package that includes:

• County Contribution: $13,758 - $29,808 contributed annually towards health benefits, or $7,200 cash option per year if opting out of health insurance.
• Health Insurance: Medical, dental and vision.
• Retirement: County pays into Social Security and CalPERS. CALPERS tier dependent upon hire date or prior service/reciprocity.
• Deferred Compensation: match of 7%-8% depending on years of service.
• Master’s degree incentive pay: 5% on base pay.
• Retention incentive: 2.5 % = 5 years, 5% = 10 years, 10% = 15 years, 15% = 20 years, 20%= 25 years
• Personal Time Off (PTO): 200 - 300 hours per year depending on years of service.
• Holidays: Twelve paid days.
• Life Insurance: $200k
• Short-Term Disability Insurance: Provided
• Relocation: May qualify for relocation assistance.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Non-taxable financial support to employees who pursue professional growth and development through formal higher education pursuant to IRS Code.
• Housing: May qualify for employee down payment and closing cost assistance program.

THE RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS

Qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the judiscial screening interview process. Successful candidates will be invited to return for a selection interview with the County Board of Supervisors. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed online application. Information on your resume and cover letter will not substitute for the education, work experience and required fields on the County application.

FINAL FILING DATE

Sunday, November 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.