Probation Assistant

Shasta County; Redding (AR); On-site; USD 39,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

Shasta County is seeking a Probation Assistant to support the Probation Department in a para-professional role. The position involves assisting a Deputy Probation Officer with routine casework duties, preparing reports, and conducting interviews.

The ideal candidate will have strong time management, conflict resolution, and teamwork skills, with the ability to learn new systems and procedures. A valid driver's license and the required educational background are essential.

Qualifications

• Completion of 60 units from an accredited college or university with coursework in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, social work, or other behavioral science.
• Two years of experience either working in a Probation Department or performing duties involving supervision, care, or leadership of juveniles or adults.

Responsibilities

• Process and transport clients according to guidelines.
• Process fines and other payments ordered by the court.
• Perform follow-up duties concerning delinquent fines.
• Perform drug testing on clients according to procedures and guidelines.
• Monitor minimal supervision cases.
• Log calls and monthly reports.
• Prepare and send Failure to Comply notices.
• Monitor fines and other payments.
• Interview defendants at the County Jail.
• Submit written reports to the Court.
• Interview and process defendants for Adult Work Program.
• Type lists, letters, memos, and forms as required.
• Operate standard office equipment.
• Communicate with program staff and other agencies to share status information.

Skills

Time management

Conflict resolution

De-escalation

Teamwork

Problem solving

Decision making

Negotiation

Learning

Education

60 college units in behavioral sciences

Tools

Interviewing

Documentation

Job description

Summary

THE CURRENT VACANCY IS IN THE SHASTA COUNTY PROBATION DEPARTMENT

ORAL EXAM IS

TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER 2026

SEE SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS SECTION REGARDING

POSSESSION OF A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE

RESPONSES TO SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS REQUIRED

FINAL FILING DATE: SEPTEMBER 23, 2026, AT 9:00 AM

Salary Information

$ 3,493 - $ 4,457 APPROXIMATE MONTHLY* / $ 20.15 - $ 25.72 APPROXIMATE HOURLY*

This position is in the United Public Employees of California (UPEC) - General bargaining unit. Please refer to the applicable bargaining unit labor agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) for potential future salary increases: Shasta County Labor Agreements

About Shasta County

Shasta County offers all the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere. With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

About the Department

The Probation Department provides services and supervision, accountability, rehabilitation, and support services for both youth and adults in the criminal justice system to include divisionary services, conducts pre-sentence/adjudication investigations, prepares sentencing and disposition reports and other court ordered reports, makes placement recommendations for juveniles and adults, completes assessments, and develops case plans. Following sentencing/disposition, the department monitors adults placed on formal supervision and juveniles placed on supervision by the court and given terms of probation. The major divisions and "core" functions of the department are adult and juvenile intake and supervision, adult pretrial services, and the Community Corrections Center providing reentry services.

About the Position

Under the direction of a Deputy Probation Officer to perform a variety of basic casework support duties for the Probation Department and to perform related duties as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This position is a para-professional class for probation. Incumbents work initially under close supervision and receive on-the-job training in basic casework management for the purpose of assisting a Deputy Probation Officer in performing the more routine casework duties. The Probation Assistant Class is a non-sworn position and is distinguished from the class of Deputy Probation Officer I in that the latter class is a sworn position and assigned the full range of casework duties.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have excellent time management skills; be experienced in conflict resolution and de-escalation; and be self-motivated. To be successful in this role, an ideal candidate would display teamwork as well as problem solving, decision making and negotiation skills. Having the ability to learn and adapt to new systems will be essential in this role.

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Process and transport clients according to established guidelines and procedures
• Process fines and other payments ordered by the court
• Perform follow-up duties concerning delinquent fines
• Perform drug testing on clients according to established procedures and guidelines
• Monitor minimal supervision cases
• Log calls and monthly reports
• Prepare and send Failure to Comply notices
• Monitor fines and other payments
• Interview defendants at the County Jail
• Submit written reports to the Court
• Interview and process defendants for Adult Work Program
• Type lists, letters, memos, and forms as required
• Operate standard office equipment
• Communicate with personnel from drug and alcohol programs and other agencies to receive and provide information concerning the status of probationers
• Communicate with other probation departments concerning background checks on defendants
• Maintain related files and records
• Perform related duties as assigned

Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following:

Knowledge of

• The basic principle affecting human behavior
• Basic causes of delinquency and crime
• Basic interviewing principles and techniques

Ability to

• Learn and apply the principles and practices of probation work and casework techniques
• Interview persons from diverse socio‑economic, cultural and educational backgrounds and obtain confidential information in a persistent, tactful and courteous manner
• Learn and apply Federal and State laws and County ordinances affecting probation
• Use sound judgement to assess problems and reach logical conclusions
• Write clear, concise and objective reports
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, staff and others
• Gather and analyze investigative materials
• Orally present and explain facts and situations clearly
• Learn to manage assigned caseload and to establish caseload priorities to meet legal and departmental requirements
• Learn to use community resources
• Learn to perform drug testing procedures
• Prepare and maintain accurate records, case files and statistical reports
• Learn to input, access and analyze data using a computer

Minimum Qualifications

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

• Completion of 60 units from an accredited college or university with coursework in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, social work, or other behavioral science
• Two (2) years of experience either working in a Probation Department or performing duties involving the supervision, care, or leadership of juveniles or adults

Special Requirements

Possession of a valid California driver’s license.

Supplemental Questions

1. Have you completed 60 units from an accredited college or university with coursework in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, social work or other behavioral science? Yes / No If “Yes,” please list the courses and number of college units per class. If “No,” type N/A.
2. Do you possess two (2) years of experience either working in a Probation Department or performing duties involving the supervision, care, or leadership of juveniles or adults? Yes / No If “Yes,” please provide details including, but not limited to, employers, dates of employment, and job duties. If “No,” type N/A.
3. I acknowledge this position requires a valid California driver's license. Yes / No

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds.

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Other Considerations

• All new employees are required to have their paycheck directly deposited to a bank account.
• Some positions may require a valid California driver's license and acceptable driving record according to County policy.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made for those persons who are disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act to perform the essential functions of the position.
• As part of the selection process, all individuals provided with a preliminary offer of employment with Shasta County will be subject to a background investigation, including a criminal history check (primarily completed through the taking of fingerprints). An image of your fingerprints will be captured and sent to the California Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). The resulting report of your conviction history, (if any), will be evaluated along with the other information received in connection with your application. Except as otherwise required by law, a criminal conviction will not necessarily disqualify you from the position. The nature of the offense, the date of the offense, the surrounding circumstances, and the relevance of the offense to the position applied for may, however, be considered.
• Based on the results of the background investigation and criminal history check, applicants may then be provided with an offer of employment conditioned on the results of a medical examination, which includes drug/alcohol testing.

• Shasta County participates in E-Verify. For more information visit DOJ Right to Work Poster. If you do not have internet access, contact Personnel at [phone] to request a flyer.

• In accordance with Government Code Section 3100, County employees, in the event of a disaster are considered disaster workers and may be asked to respond accordingly.
• Positions in this classification are covered by a collective bargaining agreement between the County and the United Public Employees of California (UPEC) - General bargaining unit.

• Employees in this classification are covered under the CalPERS retirement program. Depending on the provisions of the California Public Employees’ Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) and other applicable laws, an employee in this classification will be covered under one of the following CalPERS retirement formulas: (1) 2% at 55, (2) 2% at 60, or (3) 2% at 62. An employee in this classification will also contribute up to 9.5% of their pay to this plan or will contribute such other amount to the plan as authorized by PEPRA and other applicable laws. Please visit our employees benefit page at Shasta County Employee Benefits for additional information regarding benefits and CalPERS coverage information. The provisions in this flyer and on the County website are for information purposes only. To the extent the provisions of the flyer or the County website are inconsistent with PEPRA and other applicable laws, PEPRA and other applicable laws shall govern.

Supplemental Information

Shasta County Personnel will accept applications and responses to the supplemental questions until 9:00 a.m., on September 23, 2026.

A resume and/or cover letter will be accepted in addition to the application but will not serve as a substitute for a completed application. It is not acceptable to complete the application with statements such as “Refer to resume and/or cover letter,” or “See attached resume and/or cover letter.” The application must be completed in its entirety prior to submission.

Incomplete applications will not be processed. Closing date postmarks or faxes will not be accepted. This recruitment will establish a list that may or may not be used by other departments. Prior applicants must reapply to be considered.

Applicants will be screened and those considered best qualified will be invited to appear for an oral and/or written examination. Meeting the announced requirements does not guarantee inclusion in the selection process. Depending on the number of applications received, the selection process may consist of additional application screening, written and/or practical exam(s), oral interview, or any combination thereof.

Veterans' Credit

Veterans (as defined by California Government Code section 18973) who have been discharged from military service under conditions other than dishonorable and who receive a passing score on all components of the employment examinations (up to and including oral examinations) shall receive credit for an additional five points to be added to their final examination score. To be considered for this credit, a veteran must provide a copy of his or her discharge document (DD-214 or equivalent) and information as to the type of discharge (honorable, dishonorable, etc.) with the employment application on or before the final filing date.

Arrangements may be made to accommodate applicants with disabilities. Requests for accommodations may be made to the Shasta County Personnel Office by the filing deadline posted on this bulletin. Shasta County does not discriminate on the basis of disability. If you feel you are being denied service based on a disability, our ADA Coordinator may be reached at [phone]; relay service [phone]; fax [phone].

Shasta County will consider qualified applicants with a criminal history pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act. You do not need to disclose your criminal history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Shasta County is concerned about a conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report. Find out more about the Fair Chance Act by visiting Fair Chance Act | CRD.

Shasta County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Shasta County Personnel

1450 Court Street, Suite 348; Redding, CA 96001; [phone]