Assistant Chief Probation Officer

Back to Job Board

Assistant Chief Probation Officer

San Diego County- Probation Department

Post Date

July 23, 2026

Closing Date

August 23, 2026

Salary

$ 205,000 - $ 215,000 Annually

Description

Assistant Chief Probation Officer

Probation Department – County of San Diego

The Probation Department of the County of San Diego is seeking applications from dynamic and visionary leaders to serve as the Assistant Chief Probation Officer.

The Assistant Chief will be part of a highly skilled team of over one thousand San Diegans committed to protecting public safety by coaching clients to restore their lives, families, and the communities they live in by providing services to clients while balancing support and accountability.

The Assistant Chief Probation Officer is a sworn executive management class responsible for assisting the Chief Probation Officer in planning, directing, and coordinating the overall activities of the Probation Department.

The key responsibilities of the Assistant Chief Probation Officer position will include:

• Strategic and Operational Planning: Assists the Chief Probation Officer in the development of strategic and operational planning, organizing, and directing departmental activities and services.
• Initiative: Possesses the ability to implement key initiatives undertaken in the criminal justice and juvenile justice systems through evidence-based, rehabilitative, and restorative approaches.
• Policy Management: Identifies operational problems and directs the formulation of resolutions, establishes internal policy, controls, accountability measures, and guidelines.
• Regulation Compliance: Interprets and ensures compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations established for youth detention facilities, camps, and programs and for the supervision of clients.
• Documentation and Reporting: Prepares reports and presentations summarizing issues, scope, and level of services, service delivery methodologies, resources, cost estimates, time projections, and legal implications.
• Relationship Management: Interacts with elected officials, County executives, Court personnel, and law enforcement, educational, health, and social service agencies and community groups to accomplish goals and objectives.
• Organizational Acumen: Establishes organization structure consisting of staffing and reporting patterns and defining units.
• Administrative Management: Oversees, guides and manages Deputy Chief Probation Officers and other administrative staff, establishing departmental goals, policies and performance standards, periodically reviewing staff’s performance for career development opportunities that are consistent with Probation’s vision, mission, and guiding principles, and directs the budget and monitors revenues and expenditures, contributing to the department’s overall efficiency and effectiveness.
  
  

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will possess a professional history that demonstrates impeccable leadership competencies, experience, and attributes including setting and achieving challenging goals for self and pursuing innovation resulting in sustained organizational change.

The ideal candidate will also possess the following leadership core competencies:

• Proven success in the operation of Probation or Corrections including leveraging best practices, as well as rehabilitative programming in the community and in institutional settings.
• Experience working with Public Safety agencies, Health and Human Services, Behavioral Health Services, judicial partners, and community-based organizations.
• Demonstrates strong leadership and interpersonal skills, political acumen, ability to initiate change and strong project management skills.
• Formulates objectives and priorities and implements plans consistent with the long-term interest of the organization.
• Stays current with new technology and trends in implementing evidence-based practices in community supervision, corrections, and rehabilitation and can incorporate evidence-based practices into department operations.
• Demonstrates strong teamwork and collaboration skills as well as the ability to recognize strengths and development opportunities.
• Builds and supports mutually beneficial relationships with other organizations, associations, and community contacts.
• Demonstrates the ability to liaison, and to work collaboratively on a multitude of projects, initiatives, and system changes.
• Motivates and upholds employee morale and can work effectively with a diverse and unionized workforce
  
  

Please click here to view the detailed job brochure including the responsibilities and requirements of the position.

The Department

The Probation Department supports community safety by working with County departments, criminal justice agencies, and community partners to provide supervision and rehabilitative services for youth and adults in the justice system. The department also assists crime victims by securing restitution and holding clients accountable. The Probation Department has 1,096 employees and a budget of $335.9M and is in central San Diego in the Probation Administration Center

How To Apply

Complete the online application at the following website: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/sdcounty/jobs/5361705/assistant-chief-probation-officer-26226506u?pagetype=jobOpportunitiesJobs

Please be sure to attach your POST certificate, résumé, cover letter, and a copy of your college degree, final transcripts, or foreign studies equivalency certificate (if education was obtained outside of the U.S.) to your application.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Five (5) years of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the classification. Experience must include four (4) years of management level experience in a criminal justice department and at least one (1) of which includes supervision in a sworn position of a criminal justice or corrections agency, AND, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. college or university or a certified foreign studies equivalency.

Certification/Registration: The incumbent is a Peace Officer as defined in Section 830 of the California Penal Code and must meet employment guidelines and standards established by the Commission for Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) and the provisions of Sections 1029 and 1031 of the California Government Code. Applicants must be 21 years of age by the time of appointment. Requires a valid Peace Officer Standard Training (POST) certificate and ability to carry a firearm are required and must be maintained throughout your employment.