What are the responsibilities and job description for the Probation Division Manager position at Kings County?
The Kings County Probation Department is currently seeking qualified individuals for the position of:
Probation Division Manager
The Kings County Probation Department is excited to welcome a bold, forward-thinking leader to join our team as a Probation Division Manager. This is your chance to step into a high-energy role where your strategic vision, passion for people, and commitment to public service can truly shine.
Join a team that’s driven, mission-focused, and dedicated to enhancing public safety, supporting meaningful rehabilitation, and launching innovative policies and programs that make a real difference in our community. We currently have one immediate vacancy and will also establish an eligible list to fill future openings, expected to remain active for six months.
To discover what makes Kings County a great place to live and work, click here to watch a short video.
Please click here for a video about the Kings County Probation Department.
MANAGEMENT LEVEL II BENEFITS
This position includes Management Group II benefits, which features CalPERS retirement (plan and tier placement determined at benefits selection) and fully paid PPO health, dental, vision, and chiropractic insurance for employees and eligible dependents. Employees are also eligible for the Deferred Compensation Plan, with the County contributing one dollar for every three dollars contributed by the employee, up to $3,500 per year. Vacation accrual ranges from 12 to 20 days per year, based on years of service, and the County Administrative Officer may authorize an adjusted accrual rate for employees hired from other public agencies to reflect prior service. In addition, this position includes 80 hours of management leave (pro rated upon hire date), which may be cashed out at the employee’s option. Employees receive 12.5 scheduled paid holidays per year, plus an additional 3.5 days when the County participates in holiday closures, and 10 to 12 days of accrued sick leave per year with unlimited accrual. Other benefits include $40,000 term life insurance and access to the onsite Health Center Monday through Friday for employees and eligible dependents, without the need to use sick or other leave for personal appointments. Uniform allowances and longevity pay is available for safety classifications after 5, 10, and 15 years of service.
For complete benefit details, please see Section V of the Salary Resolution.
You can also click here to watch a brief video showcasing the exceptional benefits available to our employees.
Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.
- Plans, manages, and oversees the daily functions, operations, and activities of a division of the Probation Department providing adult or juvenile services.
- Participates in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the division; continuously monitors the efficiency and effectiveness of assigned programs, service delivery methods, and procedures; assesses and monitors workload, administrative, and support systems, and internal reporting relationships; identifies opportunities and makes recommendations for improvement.
- Participates in the development, administration, and oversight of division budget; ensures compliance with budgeted funding.
- Participates in the selection of, trains, motivates, and evaluates assigned personnel; works with employees to correct deficiencies; recommends and implements discipline and termination procedures.
- Develops and manages requests for proposals for professional and/or contracted services; prepares scope of work and any technical specifications; evaluates proposals and recommends award; negotiates contracts; administers contracts to ensure compliance with County specifications and service quality.
- Acts in a consultative capacity providing instruction and guidance in interviewing, the evaluation of information, case work techniques, methods and procedures of investigation, and field supervision.
- Prepares and presents staff and agenda reports and other necessary correspondence related to assigned activities and services; presents reports to various commissions, committees, and boards.
- Conducts a variety of organizational and operational studies and investigations; recommends modifications to assigned programs, policies, and procedures, as appropriate.
- Serves as a liaison for assigned functions with other County departments, divisions, and outside agencies; provides staff support to commissions, committees, and task forces as necessary.
- Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in probation services and programs; research emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to County needs.
- Monitors changes in regulations and technology that may affect operations; implements policy and procedural changes after approval.
- Receives, investigates, and responds to difficult and sensitive problems and complaints in a professional manner; identifies and reports findings and takes necessary corrective action.
- Reviews client cases and consults with staff, attorneys, judges, and others as needed; serves as expert witness and testifies in court on specific cases or department policies and procedures.
- May carry a caseload involving considerable complexity of legal or social ramification.
- Ensures staff compliance with County and mandated safety rules, regulations, and protocols.
- Performs related duties as assigned.
Please note: When completing the work history portion of your application please include each level as a separate entry when applicable. For example: If you were a Deputy Probation Officer I and promoted to a Deputy Probation Officer II, each level should be entered separately to reflect the time held at each level. Work experience for the last 15 years must be included in the work history portion of your application. It is also important that your application show all the relevant education and experience that you possess, even if it extends beyond the required past 15 years. A resume may be attached, but is not a substitute for completing the application and supplemental questions. Failure to submit a completed application may eliminate you from the recruitment.
Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the required qualifications would be:
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
- Equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, administration of justice, or a closely related field.
Experience:
- Three (3) years of increasingly responsible experience in probation, including at least two (2) years at a level equivalent to the classification of Supervising Deputy Probation Officer with Kings County.
Licenses:
- Possession of a valid California driver's license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles at the time of appointment.
Certifications:
- Possession of, or ability to obtain during a one (1) year probationary period, an appropriate Standards and Training for Corrections (STC) Manager/Administrator Core Course (MACC) or Manager Leadership Academy certified by the California Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC).
- Possession of a valid certificate of completion of Penal Code 832 Laws of Arrest Course issued by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.
- Possession of a First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate to be maintained throughout employment.
- Possession of a chemical restraint course certification for carrying Oleoresin Capsicum, commonly known as pepper spray, to be maintained throughout employment.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Qualify for security clearance through a background investigation (including, but not limited to a medical and psychological evaluations) and fingerprint check, including a credit check. Ability to work irregular hours including emergencies, evenings, weekends and holidays, work a varying shift as necessary, be on-call on a rotational basis, and travel within and outside the County. May be required to work in a locked detentions facility which enforces a “lock down, no hostages” policy.
Must meet minimum standards as described in California Government Code Sections 1029 and 1031.
Must meet physical standards established by the California Board of Corrections and any other pre-employment as well as ongoing peace officer requirements pursuant to federal, state, and local legislation.
For a detailed job specification, please click here.
All completed applications and supplemental questionnaires will be reviewed. Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the examination process may include the following to determine placement on the eligible list: qualifications screening (pass/fail), and/or an oral examination, which may include a written practical component (100%).
VETERAN'S PREFERENCE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
Veteran's Preference Application
You must submit a certified DD-214 and a new request form for each application submission prior to the closing date.
Veteran's Preference Application
You must submit a certified DD-214 and a new request form for each application submission prior to the closing date.
Tentative Recruitment Process:
Final Date to Apply: July 20, 2026 (5:00 p.m.)
Oral Examination with Human Resources: Week of August 10, 2026
Salary : $94,952 - $115,856