Deputy Probation Officer I - Institution

Introduction

Placer County is comprised of over 1,400 square miles of beautiful and diverse geography, ranging from the residential and commercial areas of South Placer, through the historic foothill areas of Auburn, Foresthill, and Colfax, and to the County's jewel of the North Lake Tahoe basin. Placer is a great place to live, work, play, and learn! For more information about Placer County, please visit www.placer.ca.gov.

Qualified applications received by March 3, 2026 at 5:00pm will be invited to participate in the written examination the week of March 30, 2026.

POSITION INFORMATION

The eligible list created by this recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies for both temporary/extra-help and permanent positions.

Temporary/Extra-help assignments are limited to 28 hours per week with a cap of 999 hours (or 960 hours for CalPERS retired annuitants) in a fiscal year and are not eligible for benefits. Extra-help appointments made from this eligible list may transition to permanent status, should vacancies arise.

BENEFITS

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

DEFINITION

To provide for the care and custody of incarcerated youth in county institutions; and to provide counseling on an occasional basis to youth wards at the Juvenile Detention Facility.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the entry-level class in the Deputy Probation Officer - Institution series. Incumbents work within the juvenile facility setting in any capacity for which they are properly trained and are expected to become fully trained in all aspects of institutional work. This class is distinguished from Probation Assistant in that the latter class performs technical work that does not require completion of Core training, and the Probation Assistant does not assume sole responsibility for supervision of youth. This class is flexibly allocated with Deputy Probation Officer II - Institution.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED

Receives immediate to general supervision from a Supervising Deputy Probation Officer; may receive technical and functional supervision from a Senior Deputy Probation Officer - Institution. Following completion of required Title 15 training, the incumbent may perform independent direct supervision of youth.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Organize and supervise a group of youth in a custodial setting on a shift in recreational, work, and study activities, including meals, personal hygiene, athletics, and housekeeping chores; confer with supervisory staff regarding medical problems and other issues related to youth.
• Maintain security and safety of youth and staff in accordance with state and local laws and ordinances, and Department policy and procedures; employ prescribed security measures while directing youths in their daily routine; handle routine disciplinary problems.
• Make frequent security checks of assigned areas in the facility to safeguard the youth, building, and equipment against disturbances, criminal activity, fires, and other hazards.
• Admit and release youth upon proper authority; book youth; make detention decisions.
• Conduct individual and group crisis counseling to modify anti-social behavior and aid youth in making proper adjustments to the detention situation; counsel youth and families in an attempt to create a constructive group social atmosphere.
• May assist with the development of a treatment plan for detained youth.
• Communicate with parents, probation officers, police, or other individuals as required.
• Keep and maintain records; prepare reports; may perform various clerical duties, such as typing and posting of booking records.
• Escort and transport adults and youth to a variety of locations, including court appearances within the County and in other states.
• Search minors for weapons, contraband, or narcotics.
• Serve meals.
• Lead or participate in group and individual in-service training programs.
• Perform related duties as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience and Training:
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:
Experience: No experience is required.
Training: Equivalent to an associate’s degree (completion of sixty (60) units at an accredited college, with at least nine (9) units in the behavioral sciences, administration of justice, criminal justice, corrections, or a closely related field). Experience as a group or youth counselor, or other paid, full-time experience in related youth work may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.
Required License or Certificate:

• May need to possess a valid driver’s license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.
  
• Must successfully complete Section 832 Penal Code Training (Search and Seizure) within one (1) year from date of hire.
  
• Must successfully complete the Juvenile Corrections Officer Core OR Juvenile Institutions Core Course certified by the Board of State and Community Corrections within one (1) year from date of hire.
  
• Must successfully complete First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) within one (1) year from date of hire.
  
• Must maintain valid First Aid and CPR certificates.
  

Special Requirements:

• Employees in this classification are peace officers as defined by section 830.5 of the Penal Code and must satisfy the State of California criteria for peace officer status.
  
• Must be at least 21 years of age upon appointment.
  
• Must meet minimum standards required for Peace Officers as set forth in Section 1029 and 1031 of the Government Code.
  
• Must meet the Board of State and Community Corrections standards in Title 15, Sections 1320-1322. Must pass a background investigation.
  
• Must pass a background investigation.
  
• Must meet physical standards established for County Safety employees, including a psychological examination that qualifies candidates to carry firearms.
  
• May be required to qualify for use of a firearm when assigned to transportation positions.
  

NOTE: Applicants receiving their degree outside the United States must submit proof of accreditation by a recognized evaluation agency.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Criminal justice structure and system.
• Principles and theories of human behavior.
• Principles and theory of criminal justice and rehabilitation as applied to criminal offenders including youth.
• Problems involved in handling youth under restraint. Principles of de-escalation and conflict resolution.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and computer equipment.
• Computer software, applications, and systems, including word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

Ability to:

• On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job; analyze individual behavior and situations to determine proper course of action; remember accounts given by witnesses; observe individuals, behaviors, situations, and activities; identify situations of potential altercation; interpret and understand human behavior; read, identify, recall, analyze, interpret, understand, apply, and explain technical and numerical information, work papers, reports, procedures and policies, and applicable rules, laws, codes, and regulations; maintain awareness of safety and security at all times; focus on a single task for long periods of time; work under time pressure and complete a high volume of tasks with frequent interruptions; manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously and quickly switch between tasks; observe wards and adults under supervision, and remember past behavior and medications.
• On a continuous basis, walk or stand during shift; bend, twist, stoop, squat, and kneel during booking process or while working with youth; climb while in pursuit or to observe youth; perform simple and power grasping, pushing, pulling, and fine manipulation; manage physical confrontations when individuals become physically abusive; physically restrain youth and adult inmates; speak, use a telephone, write, and use a keyboard to communicate or enter/retrieve data from a computer; see, hear, and smell with sufficient acuity to perform essential job functions; wear utility belt and/or other equipment of approximately 10 pounds; intermittently sit at a desk or counter; and lift very heavy weight.
• Maintain security and safety of incarcerated youth within an institutional setting.
• Learn principles, practices, and techniques of modern youth probation work. Learn state and local laws and ordinances, and Departmental policy and procedures affecting probation work.
• Work as part of a team and in close proximity to incarcerated youth.
• Work assigned shift, including weekends, holidays, and odd or irregular hours; work unusual work schedules, including rotating shifts and overtime.
• Learn to apply restraints, handcuffs, and shackles.
• Drive County-issued vehicles to transport youth.
• Perform arrest, search, and seizure activities safely and within the confines of the law.
• Perform crisis intervention; give individual counseling, and understand counseling techniques and methods.
• Read, understand, and apply court orders.
• Prepare clear and accurate detailed reports and other written materials.
• Exercise good judgment and make sound decisions under a variety of conditions.
• Inspire confidence and gain the respect of youth wards and adult program participants. Learn causes, control, and treatment techniques of youth crime.
• Work effectively in difficult situations.
• Lift and carry a person in the event of an emergency.
• Act quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Maintain good physical, emotional, and mental condition to satisfactorily perform the functions of the position.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Be sensitive to various cultural and ethnic groups present in the community.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Written Examination (100%)

The written examination will consist of the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Selection Exam for Local Corrections. Qualified candidates will receive a notification via email when the examination is available. To locate the Candidate Orientation Booklet for this exam, which includes example questions, please click here.

Note: Applicants who have already taken the BSCC Selection Exam for Local Corrections within twelve (12) months of their scheduled testing date may attach their official score report notice (including agency name, exam name, exam date, and exam scores) to their application materials to forward their scores to Placer County.

Examinations will be scheduled throughout the year as applications are received. Qualified applicants will be notified of their scheduled testing date via email.

The written examination has been tentatively scheduled for the week of: March 30, 2026

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath, and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a credit check, voice stress analysis, and/or a polygraph), and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

SUBSTITUTE LISTS

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

EMPLOYEES OF OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES

Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please click here.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that unlawful harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of the following characteristics: gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits associated with race, which include, but are not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, primary language, immigration status, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), reproductive health decision making, the person’s use of cannabis off the job and away from the workplace, political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law or any combination of two or more characteristics stated herein. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

Conclusion

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Lindsay Baer, Administrative Technician, at lbaer@placer.ca.gov or (530) 886-4667.

Closing Date/Time: Continuous

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• Placer County

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