Senior Deputy Probation Officer - Department Promotional - Probation

Salary : $6,216.51 - $7,429.31 Monthly
Location : 2005 Ridge Road, Bakersfield, CA
Job Type: Shift - Full Time
Job Number: 10181
Department: PROBATION
Opening Date: 10/27/2026
Closing Date: 11/2/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Position Information
This is a Department Promotional Examination and is open to eligible employees of the Probation Department.

SHIFT PAY: 5% additional pay for evening shift work; 7.5% additional pay for night shift work. Applicants must be able and willing to work any shift of a 24-hour period and any 5 of 7 days. Applicants must be willing to work in any outlying county area, as assigned.
Examinations:
Performance Exam (Qualifying Only):Will consist of a job-related writing exercise completed on the computer.

Oral Exam (Weight 100%): Will be conducted for the purpose of appraising training, education, experience, interest, and personal fitness for the position.

Applicants must attain at least a 70% score on each phase of the examination process.
The Human Resources Division may solely conduct an appraisal of application materials should there be an insufficient number of candidates to warrant an exam.

Examination components for promotional testing will be administered during the scheduled date/time/location without exception.

Minimum Qualifications / Employment Standards:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree preferably in the behavioral sciences, supplemented by course study that provides comprehensive knowledge of the criminal justice system and two years of experience in Probation or Parole work, one of which must be equivalent to a Deputy Probation Officer II or a Juvenile Corrections Officer III in the Kern County Probation Department.

A valid California Class C driver's license is required at time of appointment; specialized licenses may be required depending upon assignment.
Incumbents may be required to carry firearms while on duty and to pass a monthly firearms qualification examination.
Applicants must attach a copy of their qualifying degree or transcripts verifying the conferral of the degree and supplemental course study that provides comprehensive knowledge of the criminal justice system, by the final filing deadline of November 2, 2026. (If unable to attach your documents, please e-mail them to Guerrab@kerncounty.com).
Medical Examination:A thorough physical and psychological evaluation is required. Applicants state of health must be consistent with the ability to perform the duties of the position as demonstrated by meeting the Board of Corrections guidelines for vision, hearing and medical screening. Applicants must be free from conditions which would prevent them from performing the work required of a Deputy Probation Officer.

Character: Applicants must meet the minimum Peace Officer Standards as defined in the California Penal Code, Section 830.5 and the California Government Code, Sections 1029 and 1031. Applicants must have a reputation of honesty and trust worthiness. A felony conviction will be disqualifying and convictions for misdemeanors and traffic offenses will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Appointees will be fingerprinted and will be required to pass an extensive background investigation.
Full job description for:

Additional Information
Admittance to the examination will require a valid government issued photograph identification. Applicants who are unable to present proper identification must make arrangements with the Human Resources Division prior to the test date.

A background check may be conducted for this classification.

Following an offer of employment, you may be required to submit to post offer medical and drug screening tests at County expense.
This examination will establish a 12-month eligible list from which appointments will be made at the Kern County Probation Department as needed.

This is a Department Promotional Examination and is open to eligible employees of the Kern County Probation Department who have successfully completed their initial probationary period and received an overall rating of standard or better on the last employee performance report.

For more information regarding Kern County's recruitment process, please see our page.

Kern County Employee Benefits

*As a regular or provisional employee of Kern County, working twenty (20) hours or more per week, you are presently eligible for the following benefits as described below:

: (Medical/Dental/Vision): Kern County offers five affordable medical options. Kern Legacy Health Plans are medical and prescription health plan options administered directly by the County of Kern. Kaiser Permanente is also an option. Employees may also choose from two dental plans; Liberty Dental PPO or HMO. The vision coverage is provided through Vision Service Plan (VSP).

: Kern County Employees' Retirement Association (KCERA). This Section 401 (a) defined benefit retirement plan requires employer and employee contribution and pays retired employees a pension based on salary, years of service, and age upon retirement.

: This section 457 plan allows employees to contribute on a pre-tax basis to a supplemental retirement account which is then paid out to them when they retire.

Note: Both Kern County and the employee contribute to Social Security and Medicare as follows:

• The County of Kern withholds 6.2% for Social Security (FICA1) and 1.45% for Medicare (FICA2) from employee's payroll warrants
• The County matches the employee's 6.2% for Social Security and 1.45% for Medicare

: EAP is available to help you take control of your life!

: Chimienti & Associates (Administrator) offers the following voluntary benefits and can be deducted on a pre-tax bases: Short Term Disability Coverage, Accident Plan, Cancer Plan and a Flexible Spending Account.

Paid Holiday Leave: 12 set days (per calendar year)
01

I had an overall rating of Standard or better on my last performance appraisal. A "no" response is disqualifying - refer to Civil Service Rule 903.00.

• Yes
• No

02

Have you for any reason separated from County employment (layoff, voluntary or involuntary resignation) and gained re-employment within the last six months? A "yes" response is disqualifying - refer to Civil Service Rule 903.00 and County Ordinance 3.08.140 A & B.

• Yes
• No

03

I understand that this is a competitive examination. I agree that I will not discuss the content or nature of any component for this examination, in general or specific terms, with anyone until the examination process is completed for all candidates.

• Yes
• No

04

I understand the unauthorized disclosure of examination material is a violation of Civil Service Rules and can result in my disqualification, by the Civil Service Commission, from this examination and future examinations with the County of Kern.

• Yes
• No

05

I was appointed to my present classification and level on (Date):
06

I have successfully completed my 6 month probationary period as an employee of Kern County (temporary and extra help time is not qualifying). A "no" response is disqualifying - refer to Civil Service Rule 903.00.

• Yes
• No

07

I have graduated from a accredited four-year college or university with a degree in behavioral sciences, supplemented by course study that provides comprehensive knowledge of the criminal justice system. I have attached a copy of my degree and transcripts.

• Yes
• No

08

I have two years of experience in Probation or Parole work, one year of which is equivalent to a Deputy Probation Officer II or a Senior Youth Services Officer (previously titled Juvenile Corrections Officer III) in the Kern County Probation Department.

• Yes
• No

Required Question