Deputy Probation Officer *Revised

County of Sacramento; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Sacramento seeks a Deputy Probation Officer to conduct investigations of offenders or juvenile referrals and to supervise probationers under general supervision. The role includes contributing to institutional care, custody, treatment, and counseling as needed.

Minimum qualifications require a four-year degree in social or behavioral sciences and at least one year of relevant professional experience in probation, parole, law enforcement, or social casework, with additional on-call

Qualifications

• A four-year college degree is required, preferably in social or behavioral sciences.
• One year of full-time paid professional correctional work after the degree, or one year of social casework experience, or one year as an Assistant Probation Officer with Sacramento County, or one year as a Probation Aide (On-Call) with Sacramento County.

Responsibilities

• Investigate adult offenders or juvenile referrals under supervision.
• Supervise probationers and participate in institutional care, custody, treatment and counseling.
• Perform duties related to investigation, reporting and case management.

Skills

Behavior analysis

Judgment and decision making

Interpersonal skills

English communication

Handling hostility

Report writing

Record keeping

Diversity sensitivity

Education

Bachelor's degree in social or behavioral sciences

Job description

This is a continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on:

8/1/25, 10/3/25, 12/5/25, 4/10/26, 10/9/26, *6/11/27 (final)

Under general supervision the Deputy Probation Officer performs professional work in the investigation of adult offenders or juvenile court referrals; supervises probationers; participates in the institutional care, custody, treatment, and counseling.

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices of probation work
• Principles of social and correctional case and group work
• Laws relating to criminal justice
• Causes of crime and delinquency
• Counseling techniques
• Interviewing
• Community resources available to probationers
• Principles of investigation and laws governing search and seizure and preservation of evidence
• Codes, standards and regulations governing care and treatment of juveniles in juvenile halls, camps, ranches or schools
• Crisis intervention
• Self-defense
• Arrest procedures
• Appropriate use of force and security techniques
• Rights and liabilities of peace officers

Ability to

• Analyze behavior patterns
• Exercise sound judgment in assessment and treatment of probationers
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Read, write, and speak English at a level necessary for satisfactory job performance
• Cope with hostility and aggressive behavior
• Prepare concise and clear reports
• Maintain records
• Communicate with individuals from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, preferably with a degree in social or behavioral sciences.

AND

Either: One year of full-time paid professional experience in correctional work subsequent to the degree in a County, State or Federal probation, parole or law enforcement agency.

Or: One year of social casework experience subsequent to the degree in a County State, or Federal agency.

Or: One year as an Assistant Probation Officer (formerly Probation Assistant) with Sacramento County.

Or: The equivalent of one (1) year as a Probation Aide (On-Call) with Sacramento County.

Note: If the word "experience" is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable. Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements. To compute full-time equivalency of On-Call experience: 173.6 hours = 21.7 days = 1 work month.

Note: If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate/license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application. Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. For guidelines on submitting acceptable proof of educational requirements, please click here or speak to someone in our office before the final filing or cut-off date listed in this notice.

Special Requirements

Compliance with Government Code: Incumbents appointed to this class shall meet the minimum standards set forth in California Government Code, Section 1031.

Criminal History and Background Check: Appointees must pass a criminal history and background check, and pursuant to California Government Code, Section 1029, the conviction of a felony is grounds for disqualification from an appointment. Pursuant to Sacramento County Civil Service Rules, candidates found to have been convicted of a felony will be disqualified.

Certificate Requirement: Completion of required P.O.S.T. training for Probation Officers as specified in Section 832 of the Penal Code within one (1) year after appointment as a Deputy Probation Officer.

Arming: Some assignments within the Probation Department require the willingness and capability to be armed. Authorization to carry a weapon while on duty requires a psychological examination confirming fitness to be armed as well as the successful completion of force and weaponry training as required by the department.

Physical Requirements: Incumbents will frequently perform a wide variety of physical tasks such as standing, walking, running, stooping, bending, climbing stairs and lifting probationers which requires strength, coordination, endurance, and agility. In addition, there may be occasional contact with hostile individuals, and incumbents may be subject to physical and verbal abuse while restraining/arresting individuals.

Driver's License: Possession of a valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, is required at the time of appointment.

Note: Failure to maintain the appropriate valid California Driver License may constitute cause for dismissal from the class under applicable Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement.

Hours of Work: Incumbents in this class must be willing to work irregular hours, holidays, and weekends.

Probationary Period The probationary period for this classification is six (6) months.

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