Probation Assistant

Probation Assistant

The current vacancy is in the Shasta County Probation Department. Oral exam is tentatively scheduled for July 2026. Responses to supplemental questions required. Final filing date:
July 13, 2026, at 9:00 AM. Salary information $3,493 - $4,457 approximate monthly / $20.15 - $25.72 approximate hourly. This position is in the United Public Employees of California (UPEC) - General bargaining unit. Please refer to the applicable bargaining unit labor agreement (Memorandum of Understanding) for potential future salary increases:
Shasta County Labor Agreements.

Shasta County offers all the amenities of the big city while retaining a comfortable small-town atmosphere. With its natural beauty, affordable housing, excellent educational system, abundance of recreational opportunities, and excellent quality of life, Shasta County is a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

The Probation Department provides services and supervision, accountability, rehabilitation, and support services for both youth and adults in the criminal justice system to include divisionary services, conducts pre-sentence/adjudication investigations, prepares sentencing and disposition reports and other court ordered reports, makes placement recommendations for juveniles and adults, completes assessments, and develops case plans. Following sentencing/disposition, the department monitors adults placed on formal supervision and juveniles placed on supervision by the court and given terms of probation.

The major divisions and "core" functions of the department are adult and juvenile intake and supervision, adult pretrial services, and the Community Corrections Center providing reentry services.

Under the direction of a Deputy Probation Officer to perform a variety of basic casework support duties for the Probation Department and to perform related duties as required.

This position is a para-professional class for probation. Incumbents work initially under close supervision and receive on-the-job training in basic casework management for the purpose of assisting a Deputy Probation Officer in performing the more routine casework duties. The Probation Assistant Class is a non-sworn position and is distinguished from the class of Deputy Probation Officer I in that the latter class is a sworn position and assigned the full range of casework duties.

The ideal candidate will have excellent time management skills; be experienced in conflict resolution and de-escalation; and be self-motivated. To be successful in this role, an ideal candidate would display teamwork as well as problem solving, decision making and negotiation skills. Having the ability to learn and adapt to new systems will be essential in this role.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Process and transport clients according to established guidelines and procedures; process fines and other payments ordered by the court; perform follow-up duties concerning delinquent fines; perform drug testing on clients according to established procedures and guidelines; monitor minimal supervision cases; log calls and monthly reports; prepare and send Failure to Comply notices; monitor fines and other payments; interview defendants at the County Jail;

submit written reports to the Court; interview and process defendants for Adult Work Program; type lists, letters, memos, and forms as required; operate standard office equipment; communicate with personnel from drug and alcohol programs and other agencies to receive and provide information concerning the status of probationers; communicate with other probation departments concerning background checks on defendants; maintain related files and records;

perform related duties as assigned.

Any combination of education and experience sufficient to directly demonstrate possession and application of the following:
Knowledge of:
The basic principles affecting human behavior; basic causes of delinquency and crime; basic interviewing principles and techniques. Ability to:
Learn and apply the principles and practices of probation work and casework techniques; interview persons from diverse socio-economic, cultural and educational backgrounds and obtain confidential information in a persistent, tactful and courteous manner; learn and apply Federal and State laws and County ordinances affecting probation; use sound judgement to assess problems and reach logical conclusions; write clear, concise and objective reports;

establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, staff and others; gather and analyze investigative materials; orally present and explain facts and situations clearly; learn to manage assigned caseload and to establish caseload priorities to meet legal and departmental requirements; learn to use community resources; learn to perform drug testing procedures; prepare and maintain accurate records, case files and statistical reports;

learn to input, access and analyze data using a computer.

Minimum…