Probation Division Director I - Promotional

This recruitment is promotional only. You must presently be a full or part-time regular or probationary County of Sonoma, Community Development Commission, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, or Sonoma County Water Agency employee in order to apply for this position.

The Probation Department (PRB) has requested a department promotional certification to fill a Probation Division Director I. Only qualified permanent and/or probationary Probation Department employees on the eligible list may be eligible for referral to the department for the advertised position. This employment list may also be used to fill future full-time or part-time positions as they occur during the active status of the list.

The Probation Division Director I position within the Juvenile Services Division provides executive leadership and oversight of a 24-hour institutional facility. This position directs all operations and leads a multidisciplinary team to ensure the effective delivery of programs and services aligned with departmental mission, goals, and legal requirements. In this role, you will oversee approximately 100 full-time equivalent staff, including sworn, non-sworn, supervisory, support, and culinary personnel, and ensure safe, secure, and rehabilitative operations. Additional responsibilities include:

• Leading, coaching, and developing supervisory staff to ensure alignment with departmental mission, goals, and priorities
• Overseeing approximately 100 FTE, including sworn, non-sworn, supervisory, support, and culinary services staff
• Directing the Supervising Probation Corrections Officers, support staff, and facility food service operations
• Participating in hiring processes and providing recommendations regarding discipline and other personnel actions
• Assessing staffing levels and workload demands; recommend and implement staffing adjustments as needed
• Evaluating division programs to ensure effectiveness and achievement of operational objectives
• Collaborating with county leadership, justice system partners, and external agencies to support coordinated service delivery
• Interpreting and applying laws, regulations, policies, and emerging practices
• Analyzing the operational impact of legislative and policy changes and implementing necessary responses
• Partnering with internal departments on budget development, procurement, staffing, and recruitment activities

The ideal candidate is a strategic, experienced, and adaptable leader in probation, corrections, or institutional operations who excels in managing complex programs. The successful candidate demonstrates professionalism, integrity, and empathy, and is skilled at navigating sensitive situations with discretion and accountability. As the ideal candidate, you will possess many of the following:

• Knowledge of community corrections best practices, evidence-based programming, and behavioral science in juvenile settings
• Experience leading teams, developing staff, and implementing programs or organizational change
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to interpret legislation and apply it to operations
• Excellent communication and public speaking skills, with the ability to engage diverse audiences
• The ability to build collaborative relationships and work effectively with justice partners and community stakeholders
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including culturally responsive and trauma-informed practices
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and time management skills are needed to thrive in a fast-paced work environment
• Proficiency with case management systems, assessment tools, and standard office technology
• High level of professionalism, integrity, and ability to handle sensitive matters with confidentiality and sound judgment

Please note: This position requires a uniform and task-appropriate Probation-issued apparel and equipment may be provided for certain assignments. Depending on the duty assignment, employees may be required to wear business or professional attire. This position requires the ability to work nontraditional hours, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. This position may be required to respond to critical incidents or emergencies with little or no advance notice.

Application submissions require the Supplemental Questionnaire to be completed.

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

Experience: Normally, two years of experience supervising peace officers in either community corrections, probation, parole, or law enforcement that included some project/program development and budget preparation; OR one years of experience performing duties equivalent to the class of Deputy Probation Officer IV, Juvenile Correctional Counselor IV, Probation Industries Field Supervisor, or comparable job class in another county.

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 qualifying experience may be substituted for the education on a year for year basis.

Based on the assignment, additional experience in maintenance, landscape, construction or industrial production projects may be required.

Successful completion of the Corrections Standards Authority (formerly known as the Board of Corrections) Manager/Administrator Core Course and PC 832 training or equivalent are required within one year of appointment.

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.

Thorough knowledge of: the laws, codes, ordinances and policies which govern the care, detention and release of juveniles and adults; principles and practices of juvenile institutional facility management; effective and efficient personnel management and supervisory techniques, and program budget management; causes of juvenile delinquency and the principles and methods of crisis counseling of delinquents, disturbed and/or dependent juveniles; child abuse reporting laws; advanced first aid techniques and practices including cardiopulmonary resuscitation; contract development and administrative principles.

Considerable knowledge of: the principles and practices of procedures specifically applicable to an assigned program area which may include but is not limited to the skilled trades (i.e. construction and carpentry); the use of tools, equipment, and required resources specifically applicable to an assigned program area.

Ability to: plan, organize, direct and supervise the programs and operations of assigned program area; effectively train, supervise and evaluate the work performance of subordinate personnel; analyze administrative problems, reach practical conclusions and report recommended changes to the Department or Division Head; prepare clear and concise written reports and oral presentations; prepare and control budget expenditures for an assigned facility or program in accordance with applicable laws and regulations; apply first aid to youths and adults; establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work; work rotating shifts, weekends and holidays; physically apprehend and/or restrain offenders in the line of duty; and have the ability to periodically lift weights in excess of 25 pounds in the performance of duties depending upon the assignment.

• 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 Getting a Job with the County of Sonoma 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

A background investigation may be required prior to employment. 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.

Additional requirements, such as successful completion of a physical exam, drug screen, etc., may apply, depending on the duties and responsibilities of the position. If you receive a conditional job offer for the position, the requirements upon which the offer is contingent will be outlined in the conditional job letter. You may also review the Job Classification Screening Schedule to determine the requirements for this position.

How to Apply

Applications are accepted online at www.yourpath2sonomacounty.org. Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job announcement must be received by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

HR Analyst: CA

HR Technician: VH