Deputy Probation Officer: Create Community Impact

County of San Mateo; California; On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

County of San Mateo invites applications for the position of Deputy Probation Officer I/II. The role supports community safety through supervision, interviewing, assessment and rehabilitation services within the county probation framework.

Typical responsibilities include documenting case progress and coordinating with courts and agencies. Candidates must meet the experience requirements, hold a valid California driver license, and be able to pass a background check.

Qualifications

• One year of experience in human services involving interviewing, counseling or rehabilitation.
• Deputy Probation Officer II requires two years of experience comparable to I in San Mateo County.

Skills

Interviewing techniques

Communication with diverse populations

Team collaboration

Reading & interpreting documents

Job description

PLEASE NOTE: This recruitment was amended on October 15, 2026, to reflect that the acceptance of applications will be temporarily placed on hold beginning October 20, 2026, at 6:00 P.M. PT. If you are interested in being considered for the upcoming testing rounds scheduled for October 24, 27, 28, 29, and 30, 2026, we encourage you to submit your application by October 20, 2026, by 6:00 P.M. PT.

We will resume accepting applications on January 15, 2027.

Empower Communities: Join us as a Deputy Probation Officer !

Please review our above Bulletin for information about the position.

Directions for applying for this Open and Promotional recruitment are provided below.

The San Mateo County Probation Department's role as a partner in the County's criminal justice system is to contribute to community safety through its law enforcement, court services, pretrial, supervision, and treatment referral functions. To learn more about the department, visit: https://www.smcgov.org/probation .

Important Information About The Examination Process

Qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Selection Examination for the Deputy Probation Officer I/II position . If you have taken the BSCC exam within the last six months at another agency and you would like to utilize that T-score, please attach your exam results to the application. If your exam date is over six months from time of application, you must retake the BSCC to be considered for the Deputy Probation Officer I/II position .

To learn more about preparing for the written exam, please review the Candidate Orientation Booklet here: Candidate Orientation Booklet

Qualifications

Experience Requirement:

Deputy Probation Officer I- One year of experience in a human services capacity involving communicating and interacting with a diverse population either on an individual or group basis for the purpose of interviewing, counseling or rehabilitating, such as in the role of an institutional counselor, peace officer, or mental health or social services professional.

Deputy Probation Officer II- Two years of experience performing duties comparable to those of an entry level Deputy Probation Officer I in San Mateo County.

Knowledge of: Authoritative probation casework objectives, principles, methods and related court procedures; individual and group behavior; general resources needed to assist in prevention and control programs relating to delinquency and crime; California Penal and Welfare and Institutions, Health and Safety and Vehicle Codes; problems, needs, attitudes and behavior patterns of adult and juvenile probation and the community; community resources available to probationers; interviewing principles and techniques; general symptoms and effects of drug and alcohol use and abuse, emotional disorder and mental illness; counseling and crisis intervention principles and techniques; and court procedures.

Skill/Ability to: Interview effectively and obtain information through interrogation and observation; relate to and communicate effectively with residents of the community; deal effectively with persons under emotional stress; read and interpret complex written material; function as a team member; establish and maintain effective working relationships with other agencies, employees, supervisors and the general public; interpret legal information effectively; read and understand complex legal documents; prepare clear and concise oral and written reports; and work under stress; meet the physical abilities requirements as defined by the California State Board of Corrections.

Licensure/Certification:

• Possession of a class C California driver license or equivalent.
  
  

Other Requirements:

• Must be at least 21 years of age on or before date of appointment.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States by federal law.
• Must not have been convicted of a felony.
• Deputy Probation Officers I must complete 200 hours of core probation officer training coursework within one year of appointment.
• Must successfully pass a background investigation prior to employment.
  
  

Application/Examination

Open & Promotional. Anyone may apply. Current County of San Mateo and County of San Mateo Superior Court of California employees with at least six months (1040 hours) of continuous service in a classified regular, probationary, extra-help/limited term positions prior to the final filing date will receive five points added to their final passing score.

A supplemental application questionnaire must be submitted in addition to the standard San Mateo County employment application. A resume will not be accepted as a substitute for the required employment application and supplemental questionnaire.

The examination will consist of a written test (weight: 100%). All tests will be held in San Mateo County, California. Applicants must participate at their own expense. Qualified applicants will be notified of the date, time, and place of the tests. Applicants must adhere to the dates listed below. Applicant requests for alternate test dates and times will not be granted. Applicants successful on the written test will have their name placed on the eligible list, which will be used to fill anticipated vacancies.

IMPORTANT: Applications for this position will only be accepted online. If you are currently on the County's website, you may click the "Apply" button. If you are not on the County's website, please go to https://jobs.smcgov.org/ to apply. Online applications must be received by the Human Resources Department before midnight on the final filing date.

This is a continuous recruitment which may close at any time. The final filing date will be posted 5 days in advance in the San Mateo County Human Resources Department.

Apply immediately. This recruitment is open on a continuous basis, and selections may be made at any time within the process.

TENTATIVE RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

Final Filing Date: October 20, 2026, 6:00 PM PT

BSCC Written Exam: October 24, 27, 28, 29, and 30, 2026

Departmental Panel Interviews: TBD

About The County