CHIEF PROBATION OFFICER

Salary : $183,196.00 - $233,792.00 Annually
Location : Fresno County, CA
Job Type: At-Will
Job Number: 26-0189
Department: Probation Department
Opening Date: 10/13/2026
Closing Date: 11/3/2026 4:00 PM Pacific

Position Description
INTERVIEWS TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED FOR NOVEMBER 16-20, 2026

ALL INTERVIEWS WILL BE CONDUCTED IN PERSON. REMOTE PARTICIPATION WILL NOT BE PERMITTED.

Scheduled Salary Increase:1% effective 11/09/26
The Chief Probation Officer, in consultation with the Superior Court and the Board of Supervisors, directs all Probation Department functions and activities, develops and evaluates policies, procedures, goals and objectives, oversees the budget, finances and staff, and interprets applicable laws, ordinances, regulations and rules.

As an appointed department head, this position is exempt from Civil Service status, is hired and serves at the pleasure of the Fresno County Superior Court.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE BROCHURE

Samples of Duties

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Possession of a bachelor's degree that is acceptable within the United States' accredited college or university system.

Experience: Three (3) years of full-time, paid work experience in a County Probation Department, or parole or correctional agency, that is equivalent to that gained as a Deputy Chief Probation Officer or above with the County of Fresno.

Substitution: Possession of a master's degree that is acceptable within the United States' accredited college or university system may substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

License: Possession of a valid Class "C" driver's license, or equivalent.

Other: Under California Penal Code Section 830.5, the Chief Probation Officer classification is defined as a Peace Officer. Therefore, candidates must be able to meet all pre-employment as well as ongoing peace officer status requirements pursuant to federal, state and local legislation.

Note: Recruitment and/or certification may be limited to candidates possessing a specific education background related to the specific position vacancy as authorized by the Director of Human Resources.

As a condition of employment with the Probation Department, candidates must undergo and pass a thorough and rigid background investigation, polygraph, and medical and psychological examinations. The background investigation will require candidates to provide information regarding personal history including legal issues - arrests and/or convictions; personal information - relatives, references, and acquaintances; verification of education, experience and employment; residences; financial status; military service; and vehicle operation history. This list is neither inclusive nor exclusive; other relevant areas may be investigated and verified.
HOW TO APPLY:

Applications must be submitted online only.An online application can be found at: .
Open the Job Information Flyer and click "Apply" to begin the online application process.
Once the filing deadline has passed, you may check the status of the recruitment at any time by logging on to: .
Please Note:

• It is the applicant's responsibility to notify Human Resources of any email address, mailing address, and telephone number changes.
• Notices from Human Resources will be sent via email only.

REQUIRED APPLICATION MATERIALS:

• A complete, accurate Fresno County employment application must be submitted online only and shall include:
  • All education and work experience to demonstrate the applicant meets the minimum qualifications.
  • A valid driver's license number.
  • If education was completed outside the United States' accredited college or university system, documentation that the education is comparable to that received within the United States' system must be provided by the closing date and time of this recruitment.
• Supplemental Questionnaire
• Comprehensive Resume

Please Note:

• Resumes and attachments are not accepted in lieu of a completed employment application.
• Incomplete or inaccurate applications will be disqualified.
• Submissions must be received by the closing date and time of this recruitment. Amendments will not be accepted after the filing deadline.
• Applications submitted via U.S. mail, email, fax, or in person in our office will not be accepted.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS:

Positions in this classification are in Medical Group I - Light Physical Activity (Personnel Rule 8). This group includes positions which require only light physical effort and may include lifting of small, light objects and some bending, stooping, squatting, twisting, and reaching. Considerable walking or standing may be involved.
The County of Fresno is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA). Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application, examination, or selection process may contact Human Resources at (559) 600-1830 at least five days prior to the scheduled date or deadline.
Eligible candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.

REGULAR, PERMANENT POSITIONS BENEFITS PACKAGE:

• Health Insurance
• Competitive Retirement Plan
• Twelve (12) Paid Holidays per year
• Disability and Life Insurance
• Annual Leave Plan
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional benefits include:

• Deferred Compensation Plan (County-sponsored tax shelter savings plan).
• Flexible Spending Plans - tax shelter (set aside pre-tax $ to pay for eligible medical, dependent care, and qualified parking and mass transit expenses).
• Noble Credit Union - all County employees can take advantage of low interest rates, no annual fees for checking accounts, direct deposit, online banking and many other services.

EXTRA-HELP POSITIONS:

Extra-help positions are temporary, not entitled to benefits and serve at the will of the department head.

CLICK HERE TO REVIEW ADDITIONAL BENEFITS INFORMATION
01

Please describe your experience in the area of labor relations. In your response, please highlight your duties and responsibilities in as many of the areas below:- Labor negotiations- Interpreting and enforcing Memoranda of Understanding- Developing and enforcing personnel policies and procedures
02

The Chief Probation Officer is required to provide leadership and guidance on budget development and administration. Please describe your experience with County budgets and/or related finance experience.
03

The Chief Probation Officer is required to implement and manage a variety of new legislation directives. Please describe your experience implementing new legislation, and, if possible, give an example which highlights your ability to collaborate, think creatively, and problem solve.
04

Where did you first hear about this opportunity?

• County Website
• LinkedIn
• Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, Other)
• Other Website
• Job Fair / Recruitment Event
• Friend, Relative, and/or Current County Employee
• Other

05

If you answered "Other" in any of the options listed in the previous question, please let us know where you first heard about this opportunity in the space below. Otherwise, write "N/A".
06

If you answered "Job Fair/Recruitment Event" in the previous question, please let us know which event you attended and heard about this opportunity in the space below. Otherwise, write "N/A".
Required Question