DEPUTY PROBATION OFFICER III

County of Monterey, CA; Salinas (CA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Monterey is hiring for Deputy Probation Officer III in Salinas, CA. This advanced, lead-level role handles complex probation work with minimal supervision, overseeing juvenile and adult cases and applying evidence-based practices.

The successful candidate will perform investigations, prepare detailed reports for court, and counsel clients while maintaining current knowledge of laws and procedures in probation services.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of applied psychology and counseling techniques as they pertain to juveniles and adults.
• Effective record-keeping procedures.
• Laws and codes pertaining to juveniles and adults.
• Investigation and supervision (case management) techniques for juvenile and adult criminal offenders.

Responsibilities

• Conducts investigations including interviewing offenders and families; analyzes facts; prepares probation plans and dispositions.
• Manages caseloads and ensures probation conditions are met; conducts interviews and collects samples as needed.
• Files petitions for court action; prepares reports for the court; appears to present recommendations.
• Counsels clients and families; conducts home/school/work visits and documents progress.
• Keeps current with laws, codes, and best practices in probation work.

Skills

Applied psychology knowledge

Record-keeping

Laws and codes

Investigation techniques

Education

Degree in Administration of Justice or related field

Job description

Filing Deadline : November 20, 2026

Exam#: 26/60F23/10TH

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To learn more about the eligibility requirements and the process, be sure to read the Hiring Preference for Veterans and Eligible Military Spouses section located towards the end of this job flier.

The County of Monterey Probation Department is seeking qualified individuals to fill vacancies for Deputy Probation Officer III. Deputy Probation Officer III is the advanced, lead worker level of this series. The positions are characterized as those given duties requiring little or no supervision. Positions at this level perform all the duties of the Deputy Probation Officer I/II and are typically given the most complex and difficult work requiring greater expertise and experience.

The Eligible List established by this recruitment process may be used County-wide to fill current and future vacancies on a regular full-time, part-time, or temporary basis.

Flexible staffing:

• Conducts investigations which include interviewing adult or juvenile offenders, their families, and interested individuals; makes assessments regarding the nature of the individuals environmental, employment, financial or domestic circumstances as they apply to the case; analyzes facts gathered and makes recommendations for sentencing and dispositions of probationers; prepares probation plans, implements the plan utilizing Evidence Based Practices
• Manages a caseload of juvenile and/or adult probationers placed on probation and ensure that the conditions of probation are met including but not limited to: conducts random office and field interviews with clients; observes and collects urine samples for chemical analysis, conducts random searches of the person, vehicle, and home, collects evidence, and makes arrests
• Files petitions for court action, uses computerized programs in preparing detailed reports to the court; appears before the courts to present recommendations on the disposition of probation cases and provides information as required
• Counsels clients and their families; conducts client home, school and work visits and prepared written progress reports that document pertinent details for entry into case files
• Remains current with codes, laws, principles, best practices and evolving theories of probation work and services, and the functions and procedures of the Probation Department through continuing education and training

To view the complete job description, please visit the Monterey County website: Deputy Probation Officer III

THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE

Will have a proven track record demonstrating the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Thorough Knowledge of:

• Principles of applied psychology and counseling techniques as they pertain to juveniles and adults
• Effective record-keeping procedures
• Laws and codes pertaining to juveniles and adults
• Investigation and supervision (case management) techniques for juvenile and adult criminal offenders

Skill and Ability to:

• Effectively communicate with clients and others contacted in the course of work
• Gather and analyze facts regarding the circumstances of violations of the law or violations of supervision, using Criminal Justice databases, and make appropriate recommendations
• Write clear and concise reports, letters and recommendations utilizing computerized programs
• Read and comprehend pertinent laws, rules, regulations and procedures regarding probation work

Any combination of training, education and/or experience which provides the knowledge, skills and abilities and required conditions of employment is qualifying. An example of a way these requirements might be acquired is:

Education:

Completion of the requirements for a Degree in Administration of Justice, Criminology, Psychology, Sociology or a closely related field at a college or university;

Experience:

Two years of experience performing a full range of probation officer duties comparable to those of a Deputy Probation Officer II

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

The required conditions of employment include, but are not limited to the following:

• Must be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• Must possess a High School diploma or GED (average standard score of 45, with no score less than 35)
• Must be free of felony convictions
• Satisfactorily meet the standards of Monterey County Probation Department Hiring Authority in the following: Background Investigation, Pre-employment Drug and Alcohol Test, Physical Agility Test, and Psychological Evaluation
• Work flexible hours, including shift work, weekends and holidays as required by assignment
• Wear a uniform, carry a firearm and use officer safety equipment as required by assignment
• Possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver’s license or the ability to provide suitable transportation that is approved by the appointing authority
• Obtain a Peace Officer Standards and training (P.O.S.T) certification in Laws of Arrest within one year of appointment.
• Successfully complete, as demonstrated by satisfactory level of proficiency or relevant achievement tests, the Probation Officer Core Course in Standards and Training for Corrections Program within one year from date of appointment.

BENEFITS:

The County of Monterey offers an excellent benefits package. Please visit our website to view the Unit M Benefit Summary Sheet. This information is not legally binding, nor does it serve as a contract. The benefits listed in the Monterey County Personnel Policies and Practices Resolution or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) prevail over this listing.

NOTES:

• As a condition of employment, prospective employees may be required to submit to a background review which may include a review of information concerning present and/or prior employment, driving record, and record of any criminal convictions.
• Employment is contingent upon acceptable documentation verifying identity and authorization for employment in the U.S.; a list of acceptable documents is available on the USCIS Form I-9.
• If you are hired into this classification in a temporary position, your rate of pay will be hourly, and you will not be eligible for the benefits listed in the summary.

APPLICATION & SELECTION PROCEDURES

Apply On-Line at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/montereycounty, by November 20, 2026 11:59 PM (PST) or Hard copy applications may also be obtained from and submitted during normal business hours, Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM by contacting: County of Monterey Probation Attn: Human Resources 20 E. Alisal Street, 2ndFloor Salinas, CA 93901 Trisha Hidalgo Phone: [phone] FAX: [phone]

The selection process is tentative, and applicants will be notified if changes are made. To assess applicants’ possession of required qualifications, the examination process may include an oral examination, pre-examination exercises, performance examination, and/or written examination. The competitive examination process includes submittal of required application materials. A complete application package will include:

• A completed County of Monterey Employment Application

• Responses to the Supplemental Questions

Applicants who fail to provide all required materials by the final filing deadline will not be considered. Resumes, cover letters, letters of interest, and other correspondence will not be accepted as a substitute for required application materials. All required application materials will be competitively evaluated. Those applicants that are determined to be the most appropriately qualified will be invited to participate further in the selection process.

HIRING PREFERENCE FOR VETERANS AND ELIGIBLE MILITARY SPOUSES:

The County of Monterey is committed to honoring the service and sacrifice of veterans and eligible military spouses (i.e., surviving spouses of veterans, spouses of totally disabled veterans, and spouses of active-duty service members) and awards veterans’ preference points for this recruitment. To obtain a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application, please visit the Human Resources website or click on the following link: Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application

To apply for veterans’ preference points, veterans or eligible military spouses must complete and email a Veterans and Eligible Military Spouse Preference Application with supporting documentation of their eligibility by the final filing date of Friday, November 20, 2026, at 11:59 PM (PST) to [e-mail]

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION:

The County of Monterey is a drug-free workplace and an equal opportunity employer. The County seeks candidates who can make contributions in an environment of cultural and ethnic diversity. County of Monterey is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact Trisha Hidalgo, Human Resources Analyst, at [phone] or [e-mail]