Deputy Probation Officer

This is a limited continuous filing exam. Next filing cut-offs are at 5:00 pm on:

12/5/2025, 4/10/2026, and 10/9/2026

Under general supervision the Deputy Probation Officer performs professional work in the investigation of adult offenders or juvenile court referrals; supervises probationers; participates in the institutional care, custody, treatment, and counseling.

Knowledge of

• Principles and practices of probation work
• Principles of social and correctional case and group work
• Laws relating to criminal justice
• Causes of crime and delinquency
• Counseling techniques
• Interviewing
• Community resources available to probationers
• Principles of investigation and laws governing search and seizure and preservation of evidence
• Codes, standards and regulations governing care and treatment of juveniles in juvenile halls, camps, ranches or schools
• Crisis intervention
• Self-defense
• Arrest procedures
• Appropriate use of force and security techniques
• Rights and liabilities of peace officers

Ability to

• Analyze behavior patterns
• Exercise sound judgment in assessment and treatment of probationers
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
• Read, write, and speak English at a level necessary for satisfactory job performance
• Cope with hostility and aggressive behavior
• Prepare concise and clear reports
• Maintain records
• Communicate with individuals from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds

Minimum Qualifications  
 
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university, preferably with a degree in social or behavioral sciences.

AND

Either: One year of full-time paid professional experience in correctional work subsequent to the degree in a County, State or Federal probation, parole or law enforcement agency.

Or: One year of social casework experience subsequent to the degree in a County State, or Federal agency.

Or: One year as an Assistant Probation Officer (formerly Probation Assistant) with Sacramento County.

Or: The equivalent of one (1) year as a Probation Aide (On-Call) with Sacramento County.

Note: If the word "experience" is referenced in the minimum qualifications, it means full-time paid experience unless the minimum qualification states that volunteer experience is acceptable.  Part-time paid experience may be accumulated and pro-rated to meet the total experience requirements. To compute full-time equivalency of On-Call experience: 173.6 hours = 21.7 days = 1 work month.

Note: If the minimum qualifications include an educational or certificate/license requirement, applicants must submit proof of requirements with the application. Failure to submit proof of requirements may result in disqualification from the examination. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. For guidelines on submitting acceptable proof of educational requirements, please click here (Download PDF reader) or speak to someone in our office before the final filing date listed in this notice.

Special Requirements

Compliance with Government Code: In accordance with California Government Code, Section 1031, each employee shall meet the following minimum standards:

a. Be a citizen of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship. Any permanent resident alien shall be disqualified from holding a position if his or her application for citizenship is denied.
b. Be at least 18 years of age.
c. Be fingerprinted for purposes of search of local, state, and national fingerprint files to disclose any criminal record. In addition, a classifiable set of the fingerprints shall be furnished to the Department of Justice and to the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
d. Be found to be free from any physical, emotional, or mental condition which might adversely affect the exercise of the powers of a peace officer.

Criminal History and Background Check: Appointees must pass a criminal history and background check, and pursuant to California Government Code, Section 1029, the conviction of a felony is grounds for disqualification from an appointment. Pursuant to Sacramento County Civil Service Rules, candidates found to have been convicted of a felony will be disqualified.

Certificate Requirement: Completion of required P.O.S.T. training for Probation Officers as specified in Section 832 of the Penal Code within one (1) year after appointment as a Deputy Probation Officer.

Arming: Some assignments within the Probation Department require the willingness and capability to be armed. Authorization to carry a weapon while on duty requires a psychological examination confirming fitness to be armed as well as the successful completion of force and weaponry training as required by the department.

Physical Requirements: Incumbents will frequently perform a wide variety of physical tasks such as standing, walking, running, stooping, bending, climbing stairs and lifting probationers which requires strength, coordination, endurance, and agility. In addition, there may be occasional contact with hostile individuals, and incumbents may be subject to physical and verbal abuse while restraining/arresting individuals.

Driver's License: Possession of a valid California Driver License, Class C or higher, is required at the time of appointment.

Note: Failure to maintain the appropriate valid California Driver License may constitute cause for dismissal from the class under applicable Civil Service Rules or applicable bargaining agreement.

Hours of Work: Incumbents in this class must be willing to work irregular hours, holidays, and weekends.

Probationary Period
The probationary period for this classification is six (6) months.

APPLICATION
 
Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. All applicants must complete and submit an online County of Sacramento employment application by 5:00 PM on the posted cut-off date. Click here to apply.
 
County of Sacramento
Department of Personnel Services
Employment Services Division
700 H Street, Room 4667
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone ; 7-1-1 California Relay Service
Email 
Inter-Office Mail Code:

• Employment applications and all documentation requested in this announcement must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date. 
• Employment Services is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by an applicant's computer or web browser. Applicants will be automatically logged out if they have not submitted their applications and all documentation prior to 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.
• Your application should highlight all relevant education, training, and experience, and clearly indicate how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position as of the cut-off date.
• Application information must be current, concise and related to the requirements in this job announcement. You may only apply for this recruitment once. Duplicate and incomplete applications will be disqualified.
• A resume may be included with your application, however it will not substitute for the information requested on the application.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONNAIRE
 
Applicants are required to provide a full and complete response to each supplemental question. The Supplemental Questionnaire is located in the tab marked "Supplemental Questions". Please be descriptive in your response.
 
Note: Responses of "See Resume" or "See Application", or copy and paste of work experience are not qualifying responses and will not be considered.

• Supplemental Questionnaires must be submitted by 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date. Employment Services is not responsible for any issues or delays caused by an applicant's computer or web browser. Applicants will be automatically logged out if they have not submitted their applications and all documentation prior to 5:00 p.m. on the cut-off date.
• The supplemental questions are designed to elicit specific information regarding a candidate's experience, education, and training. Responses should be consistent with the information on your application and are subject to verification.
• Please provide place of employment, pertinent dates, and concise, descriptive and detailed information for each question.
• If a job included responsibilities applicable to several questions, separate the different functions of the job to answer all the questions completely.
• Resumes or referral to the application or other questionnaire responses will not be accepted in lieu of completing each question.
• If you have no experience, write "no experience" for the appropriate question.
• For many individuals, it is more efficient to develop responses to the supplemental questions in a word processing document and then paste them into the final document to be submitted. Changes or corrections to your Supplemental Questionnaire cannot be made once your application packet has been submitted.
• If the Supplemental Questionnaire is used in the Formula Rate exam, failure to complete all of the questions or incomplete responses will result in a lower score. While scoring the Supplemental Questionnaire, the candidate's application and/or attachments will not be reviewed, therefore, a candidate's responses to the questions should be accurate, thorough, detailed, and complete.

ONLINE WRITTEN EXAM (Weighted 100%)
 
The testing process will consist of an online written examination, weighted 100%.  The test dimensions may include:

• Probation and Parole
• Juvenile Corrections
• Standards and Regulations
• Counseling and Interpersonal Skills
• English Usage and Writing Skills

 
Qualified applicants will be notified by email, using the email address provided on the application, of the exact dates and times the online written examination will be available, along with the necessary information to access the online written examination, which is tentatively scheduled for 3-4 weeks after the cut-off date. If applicants have not received written notice by email at least two (2) working days prior to the tentative test date, they should contact the County of Sacramento Employment Services Division at For more information on testing dates and/or accommodation requests please contact the Employment Services Division by the final filing date.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 
Click here for Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)For information regarding County jobs:

Sacramento County is about enriching communities to thrive. We strive to create inclusive workplaces that reflect the communities we serve. We value and celebrate the unique perspectives, backgrounds, abilities, and diverse dimensions of our employees and residents. Through transparency, courage, innovation, and trust we are committed to advance equity and transformational change.
 
We are a proud equal opportunity employer. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability for any phase of the hiring process, please contact our Disability Compliance Office at  or , CA Relay 711