Probation Division Director - Safety

County of Marin; San Rafael (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

County of Marin’s Probation Department seeks a Division Director to lead planning, oversight, and evaluation for a major probation division. The role requires coordinating with courts, community partners, and contractors to deliver evidence‑based programs and services across adult and juvenile segments.

The ideal candidate will bring knowledge of California probation practices, strong leadership, and the ability to manage policy and budgets while advancing diversity, equity, and belonging

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with four years of increasingly responsible professional experience in probation, corrections, rehabilitation programs and/or law, including two years of supervisory or administrative duties.
• Graduate level degree may substitute for one year of experience.

Responsibilities

• Provide program planning, management, and evaluation for the Probation Division.
• Coordinate with staff, contractors, and community partners to deliver evidence‑based services.
• Manage program budgets and policy development for division operations.
• Liaise with Courts, law enforcement, and other County departments to support system‑wide outcomes.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Budget management

Staff supervision

Policy development

Education

Bachelor's degree + 4 years' experience in probation, corrections, rehabilitation programs, or law

Job description

At the County of Marin, our employees overwhelmingly report feeling their work is meaningful, they like the work they do, and they are proud to tell people, “I work for the County of Marin.”Discover more about us, our values and our organizational culture here. Read on to find out more about this opportunity:

The Marin County Probation Department

The Marin County Probation Department is dedicated to enhancing public safety through community partnerships, leadership, and excellence in service. The department plays a crucial role in maintaining a safe environment for residents by supervising individuals on probation and offering rehabilitative services aimed at reducing recidivism.

We have five divisions within our department: Business Unit, Adult Field Services, Adult Court Services, Juvenile Services, and Juvenile Hall.

The department works collaboratively with treatment providers, families, schools, and local organizations to promote the well‑being and long‑term rehabilitation of justice‑involved individuals. Through these comprehensive efforts, the Marin County Probation Department strives to protect the public while fostering opportunities for positive change and development among those they serve.

We have two full‑time (80 bi‑weekly hours) regular hire positions that they are seeking to fill. The candidates will be placed in the areas in which the business needs are the greatest at the time the vacancies are filled. The candidates are expected to work on‑site where assigned.

The Probation Division Director role demonstrates a high level of leadership, professionalism, and autonomy in organizing, planning, and managing a major division of the Probation Department and maintaining responsibility for providing a coordinated program of care and custody of delinquent youths or investigation and client supervision for Adult Services, Adult Court Services, Juvenile Services, and Juvenile Hall.

The Probation Division Director provides program planning, management, technical assistance, review and evaluation functions of systems and programs, in support of direct client services where these services are provided by County/Department staff, community‑based organizations (CBOs), or independent contractors; coordinating, researching, and evaluating outcome measurements of specialized grant‑funded programs and acting as a Department liaison with independent contractors or CBO service providers.

The Director of Probation Services must be willing to work non‑traditional hours including evenings and weekends that may be conducted in the office or in the field if required. May be required to be armed.

Our Highly Qualified Candidate

The ideal candidate will have knowledge of current criminal justice practices, including an awareness and understanding of relevant evidence‑based practices (or “what works”) within the field. Ideally, have knowledge of existing legal California codes, ordinances, laws, labor union laws, regulations, and evidence‑based practices relating to the operation of the Probation Department; principals, trends, and techniques in the delivery of probation services, operations, policies, and procedures; organization of the Superior Courts regarding court jurisdiction. Experience with uplifting programs and initiatives internally and externally with project stakeholders that support the advancement of the work of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging individually and collectively.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrated success in building and maintaining effective working relationships with partner agencies, including the Courts, law enforcement, community‑based organizations, and other County departments. This role requires exceptional oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal abilities, and a collaborative mindset. The successful candidate has the ability to work independently, will be highly motivated and committed to continuously improving departmental processes and procedures to support positive, system‑wide outcomes within the criminal justice system.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education, training and experience that would provide the required knowledge and skills. A typical way to qualify is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university AND four years of increasingly responsible professional experience working in the fields of probation, corrections, rehabilitation programs and/or law, which included two years of supervisory, management or administrative duties including program planning and evaluation, budget management, staff supervision and policy development.

A graduate level degree in sociology, behavioral science, psychology, counseling, criminology, law business or public administration, or a closely related field may be substituted for one year of experience.

Certification and Licenses

• Ability to acquire a certificate in search and arrest procedures as required by California State Penal Code Section 832.
• Possession of a certificate of successful completion of Probation Officer or Juvenile Corrections Officer core training courses in the Standards and Training Corrections Program (STC) or state equivalent.
• Some assignments require the completion of annual training as set forth by the Standards and Training Commission for Corrections Program.

Knowledge Of

• Human behavioral patterns including normal behavior, behavioral health issues causes of juvenile delinquency, dynamics of adolescent development, criminality, drug abuse, immaturity, pathology, and other patterns of human behavior sufficient to identify, analyze, and make recommendations on clients’ problems as they affect treatment plans and case management.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of case investigation and case management including methods of gathering collaborative information useful in the preparation of comprehensive reports on clients' social functioning.
• Legal, ethical, and modern principles, practices, and methods applied in the administration of either an adult or juvenile corrections program depending upon the assignment.
• The development and implementation of evidence-based programming services and practices.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of public administration, governmental budgeting, personnel and program management.
• California State laws and codes governing probation services.
• Courtroom procedures and ordinances relevant to probation work.
• Legal forms, authorities, and procedural requirements.
• Factors affecting county residents from underserved communities and clients served by Probation Department programs.
• Proper and safe handling of a firearm.

Ability To

• Identify goals and objectives, set priorities.
• Identify problems, analyze factual data, and draw valid conclusions.
• Train, direct, coordinate, supervise, motivate and evaluate staff.
• Develop, implement and manage evidence‑based programs, services and practices.
• Develop and implement policies and procedures.
• Read, interpret and apply complex technical material.
• Demonstrate interpersonal sensitivity.
• Listen attentively and mediate among differing viewpoints.
• Communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in written form, including effective use of interviewing techniques and preparing concise reports and correspondence.
• Develop, justify, and monitor a program budget.
• Effectively utilize self‑defense techniques.

Special Requirements

In accordance with State law, felony law convictions or any other conviction identified in section 1029 of the Government Code will be disqualifying.

Section 1031 of the Government Code provides that candidates:

• Be legally authorized to work in the United States under federal law.
• Be 18 years of age or older by the application filing deadline.
• Be fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record.
• Be of good moral character as determined by a thorough background investigation.
• Be a high school graduate or equivalent as defined by state law.
• Be found free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition, including bias against or race, ethnicity, gender, nationality, religion, disability, or sexual orientation that might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.
• Candidates must complete and pass a physical evaluation and comprehensive psychological evaluation prior to appointment.

Testing and Eligible List

Depending on the number of qualified applications received, the examination may consist of a highly qualified review, application screening, online assessment, written examination, oral examination, performance examination, or any combination to determine which candidates' names will be placed on the eligible list. This recruitment may also be used to fill future vacancies and contingent hire needs that may arise.

Disaster Service Workers

All County of Marin employees are designated Disaster Service Workers through state and local law (California Government Code Section 3100‑3109). Employment with the County requires the affirmation of a loyalty oath to this effect. Employees are required to complete all Disaster Service Worker‑related training as assigned, and to return to work as ordered in the event of an emergency.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

If you have questions regarding equal employment opportunities, please contact Roger Crawford, Equal Employment Opportunity Director, at 415‑473‑2095.

All applicants will receive email notifications regarding their status in the recruitment process. Please be sure to check your spam settings to allow our emails to reach you. You may also log into your governmentjobs.com account to view these emails.