Chief Probation Officer

Chief Probation Officer - 015

This regular, full-time recruitment closes at 5:00 PM on May 29, 2026.

$6,799.57 - $8,126.13 bi-weekly base salary

The Chief Probation Officer is an employee of Kern County, not the Superior Court of California, County of Kern. This position serves at the pleasure of the Judges of the Superior Court of California, County of Kern.

Definition
Subject to the requirements of state law and state administrative regulations, general operational policy guidance from the Superior Court, and administrative regulations and policies established by the Board of Supervisors, to manage adult and juvenile probation services, juvenile delinquency prevention programs, and the juvenile institutions; to direct the administrative operations of the Probation Department, establish specific policies related to departmental operations in accordance with the broader policy guidance received from the Court and the Juvenile Justice Commission; and to do related work as required.

Distinguishing Characteristics
This classification is distinguished from other senior county positions by the fact that the incumbent is appointed by, and serves at the pleasure of Judges of the Superior Court of the County of Kern. In addition, the incumbent will work with the Board of Supervisors in budget matters, and implement administrative policies and procedures established by the Board of Supervisors consistent with operational policy guidelines established by the Superior Court.

Essential Functions

Chief Liaison with Superior Courts, the County Administrative Office, members of the Board of Supervisors, other county lawenforcement agencies, the Grand Jury, and members of the Juvenile Justice-Delinquency Commission for the purpose of facilitatingthe work of the Probation Department.

Formulates policies and procedures for the administration of the Probation Department, James G. Bowles Juvenile Hall, the Camp Erwin Owen, and the Kern Crossroads Facility, within state law and state administrative regulations, and within the guidelines established by the Superior Court and the Juvenile Justice Delinquency Prevention Commission.

Plans, directs and evaluates the work of the professional and clerical staff.

Keeps abreast of new developments in the fields of probation and juvenile delinquency prevention services in order to utilize the base known delivery methods and systems, and in order to anticipate future needs and funding sources.

Maintains cooperative relationships with business, government, legislative bodies and community organizations related to probationand juvenile delinquency prevention.

Chief spokesperson for the Department with the public and news media; responsible for overall Community relations.

Appointing authority for all new employees for entry-level positions and all promotions within the Department.

Provides leadership in the conception of policies and programs for the administration and management of the department and confers regularly with the Superior Court on such matters.

Develops short and long range plans for the operation of juvenile detention and rehabilitation facilities.

Participates in coordinating councils and other groups interested in delinquency prevention.

Confers with staff on general casework techniques and specific case situations.

Attends conferences and meetings.

Chairs various law enforcement committees.

Plans and prepares budgetary estimates and justifications.

Other Functions

Performs other job-related duties as appropriate.

All Kern County employees are designated “Disaster Service Workers” through state and local laws (CA Government Code Sec. 3100-3109 and Ordinance Code Title 2- Administration, Ch. 2.66 Emergency Services.) As Disaster Service Workers, all County employees are expected to remain at work, or to report for work as soon as practicable following a significant emergency or disaster.

Minimum Qualifications

Employment Standards

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a minimum of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in criminology, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, public or business administration, or a related field, and seven (7) years of experience in probation, social casework, clinical psychology, or related field and a minimum of three (3) years of successful management experience as a Probation Division Director in the Kern County Probation Department or in an equivalent capacity in probation or parole.

The Court reserves the prerogative to accept any combination of training and experience which, in its judgment, satisfies the employment standards listed above.

Special Qualifications
Applicants must meet the minimum Peace Officer Standards as defined in the California Government Code, Sections 1029 and 1031. Applicants must possess the ability to complete the required training under the Standards of Training for Corrections, including firearms training. Applicants must have a reputation of honesty and trustworthiness. A felony conviction will be disqualifying and convictions for misdemeanors and traffic offenses will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Appointees must take an oath of allegiance to the United States and the State of California. Appointee will be fingerprinted and will be required to pass an extensive background investigation.

Knowledge of: modern principles of adult and juvenile probation work, criminal law, juvenile court law, and related court procedures; the Penal and Welfare and Institutions Codes; criminogenic risk assessments, evidence based sentencing and probationer evaluation and supervision procedures, and other “best practices” for probation and detention facility management; the social, economic and psychological forces that create case problems; community welfare resources; contemporary administrative and fiscal practices in public agencies with particular emphasis on public budgeting and fund accounting.

Ability to: plan and direct the work of others and effectively communicate in interdepartmental coordination.

Selection Procedures

All applicants are required to submit an updated online application. Résumés will not be accepted in lieu of the required application.

Status Notifications: You will be notified by email through the governmentjobs.com site during the process of this recruitment. Some email accounts have been known to place these emails in the spam/junk file. Please check your email folders and/or accept emails ending with governmentjobs.com and kern.courts.ca.gov. If your email address should change, please update your profile at www.governmentjobs.com.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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