Deputy Chief Probation Officer

Salary : $175,422.44 - $213,199.31 Annually
Location : Santa Rosa, CA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26/11-3238-O
Department: Probation Department (PRB)
Opening Date: 11/09/2026
Closing Date: 11/23/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Bargaining Unit: 44

About the Position

As a member of the Probation Department's executive management team, the Deputy Chief Probation Officer (DCPO) is responsible for directing and overseeing the operations of assigned divisions, providing strategic leadership, and supporting the implementation of departmental goals and initiatives. The DCPO works collaboratively with County departments, justice partners, government agencies, and community stakeholders to support effective probation services. Additional responsibilities include:

• Providing leadership, guidance, and professional development to division directors, managers, and staff
• Overseeing divisional budgets, staffing needs, contracts, and resource allocation
• Analyzing legislative changes and implementing policies, procedures, and operational improvements
• Leading departmental initiatives, organizational change, and program development
• Overseeing personnel matters, including hiring recommendations, disciplinary actions, and investigations
• Representing the department in labor relations matters and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders
• Acting on behalf of the Chief Probation Officer as needed

The ideal candidate will possess superb executive leadership, communication, and decision-making skills, along with extensive knowledge of adult and juvenile probation operations and community corrections practices. They will demonstrate the ability to lead organizational initiatives, develop effective managers, and build collaborative relationships with internal and external partners. They will also possess many of the following:

• Experience managing complex operations and budgets
• Thorough knowledge of applicable laws, regulations, and evidence-based practices in community corrections
• Experience implementing organizational change and evaluating program effectiveness
• Knowledge of labor relations practices and personnel management
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, both written and verbal
• A commitment to equity, professional integrity, and effective public service

Effective 5/8/23, individuals who possess United States citizenship or status as a permanent resident OR have the legal authorization to work in the United States under federal law, will be considered to meet the citizenship minimum standards for this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed.

Experience: Normally, two years of broad and progressively responsible administrative and managerial experience that includes working with peace officers in community corrections, probation, parole, or the criminal justice system; OR two years of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Division Director II; or three years of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Division Director I; or comparable job class of another county.

Completion of Probation CORE training and PC 832 or equivalent are required within one year of employment.

Education: Normally, graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in sociology, psychology, counseling, social work, criminology, or closely related field.

Additional Requirements: Applicants must meet minimum peace officer standards as specified in California Government Code Sections 1029 and 1031, including but not limited to: no prior felony convictions (unless fully pardoned), good moral character as determined by thorough background check, submission of fingerprints for purpose of a criminal record check, and be found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the powers of a peace officer. Possession of a valid California Class C Driver's License. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship.

License: Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position. The position advertised in this announcement requires possession of a valid California Driver's License.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Thorough knowledge of: the principles, methods, and techniques of administration, including the organization and management of modern probation services; laws, codes, and statutes relating to the functions, duties, and prerogatives of the Chief Probation Officer; principles, methods, techniques, and services involved in modern probation work; effective supervisory techniques, personnel procedures and program budget management and development of budgets; general community resources necessary to assist in crime and delinquency prevention; written and oral communication, including language mechanics, syntax, and English composition; community resources available for specialized treatment of probation clients.
Considerable knowledge of: the principles and practices relating to modern budget, programs, and systems management; operations and functions of County government.

Ability to: effectively plan, organize, and direct the operations of the Adult and Juvenile Probation Services Divisions or Institutional Division; analyze administrative problems, reach practical conclusions, and institute effective changes; effectively assemble, organize, and present in written and/or oral form, reports containing alternative solutions and recommendations regarding specific resources, plans, and policies; understand, interpret, and apply rules, regulations, and ordinances, and State, Federal, and local legislation; establish and maintain effective working and personal working relationships with employees, clients, public officials, and the general public; speak clearly and concisely before groups and audiences; effectively train and evaluate subordinate unit supervisors; investigate, evaluate, and analyze Adult and Juvenile Probation Division or Institutional Division functions, and make appropriate changes necessary to meet established policies and goals of the Probation Department.
Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

Please visit to review more detailed information about the hiring process, including the application process, examination steps, and department selection process.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

Responses to supplemental questions may be scored using position-specific criteria. Please provide specific and detailed responses of a reasonable length to allow for a thorough assessment of your qualifications. Responses that state, "See Resume" or "See Application" may be considered insufficient and therefore may not be scored.

The selection procedure will consist of the following examination:

An Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination (weight 100%) will be conducted to evaluate each applicant's application and supplemental questionnaire for satisfaction of minimum qualifications (pass/not pass); and for educational coursework, training, experience, knowledge, and abilities which relate to this position. Personally identifiable information (PII) is removed from the standard application fields and applicable attachments. This PII blind screening practice redacts a candidate's personal information that could potentially influence or bias the scoring process. Personal information includes the applicant's name, former last name, address, phone number, email, driver's license number, school name, education start and end dates, age, date of birth, gender, and race. This PII blind screening practice helps contribute to a fair and equitable examination process.

Each applicant will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Relevance of work history, related experience, and achieved level of education and/or training as described in the application and responses to the supplemental questions.

Candidates demonstrating possession of the minimum qualifications will be placed on an employment list in order of most qualified to least qualified based on the achieved score received in the Application and Supplemental Questionnaire Appraisal Examination. Scores may be adjusted based on such factors as the number of candidates, anticipated vacancies, past practice, and natural breaks in the scores achieved by this group of candidates.
Additional Information

It is the policy of law enforcement/legal offices and departments, in the County of Sonoma, that job candidates complete a thorough background investigation process prior to employment. This policy is imperative in order to keep the department's employees and the public safe and to maintain high standards in the law enforcement community. Candidates referred to departments for a selection interview are typically required to sign authorization and release forms enabling such an investigation. Failure to sign prescribed forms will result in the candidate not being considered further for that vacancy. Reference information will not be made available to candidates.

The background investigation will include a thorough assessment of a candidate's personal, employment, educational, criminal, and credit history. The investigation may include, but is not necessarily limited to: use of prescription and/or other drugs, reports from former employers, friends, family members, educational institutions, law enforcement agencies, credit reports, court reports, public records search, and/or other relevant sources. Candidates must be honest and forthcoming about information that may arise during the background process. Deception during any portion of this process is grounds for disqualification, even after employment.

All candidates will be required to take a pre-employment medical examination. The pre-employment medical examination will include drug testing as part of the medical examination for all applica