Deputy Probation Officer I

About the role

The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package. The Deputy Probation Officer I (DPO I) is a professional entry-level sworn peace officer who performs duties related to the care, custody, and control activities within a detention facility. DPO I's duties include supervising the conduct and behavior of youth in an institutional setting, planning, organizing, and directing activities for youth in custody, maintaining effective safety and security procedures, enforcing facility rules, regulations, and policies, working effectively in emergency or crisis situations, de-escalating violent behavior, searching for weapons and other contraband, preparing reports, conducting strip or pat searches, coordinating transportation, providing orientation, administering first aid, supporting and assisting in the delivery of individualized case plans, and assuming responsibility as shift leader.

Responsibilities

• Supervise the conduct and behavior of youth in an institutional setting
• Plan, organize, and direct activities for youth in custody
• Maintain effective safety and security procedures within the facilities at all times
• Enforce facility rules, regulations, and policies
• Work effectively and take appropriate actions in emergency or crisis situations
• De-escalate violent behavior with verbal skills, restrain and/or subdue hostile and/or violent youth utilizing pepper spray, physical force, and/or restraints
• Search for weapons and other contraband
• Prepare various reports, including incident reports, observation reports and case plans regarding youth’s attitude, behavior, appearance, interest, skills, progress, and needs
• Conduct strip or pat searches and collect and test specimens when required
• Coordinate the transportation of youth for activities which require them to leave the facility
• Administer first aid when required, which may include administering Naloxone
• Provide orientation to new youth
• Supervise consumption of medication as directed by professional medical personnel
• May be responsible for training newer and/or reassigned officers
• Successfully complete all officer safety training classes
• Manage and control movement within the facility
• Responsible for the admission and booking process of youth
• Supports and assists in the delivery of individualized case plans to youth which include understanding their assessed needs and working with them, their family, and collaborative partners to address those needs
• Affects and performs projects of limited scope
• Collaborates and interacts with contracted government agencies, community-based organizations, volunteers, and others
• Logs and makes entries into case management system, data collection, and maintenance of required records and reports
• Assumes responsibility as shift leader operating routine processes in the absence of the facility Senior Deputy Probation Officer
• May act as a witness in court
• Performs other duties as required

Requirements

• Must be 21 years of age by the time of appointment
• Must have a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent
• Must not be convicted of a felony
• Must possess and maintain a valid class C California driver license
• Completion of PC832 (Arrest, Search and Seizure) training, First Aid, and CPR training is preferred

Qualifications

• Education/Experience: No specific experience or training beyond that set forth immediately below is required; however, applicants must demonstrate an aptitude and willingness to perform those duties set forth in the section entitled "Examples of Duties" above.

Skills

• Some working knowledge of: Federal, State, and local criminal justice laws, regulation and codes; Law enforcement procedures and related legal terminology; Human behavior and theories of criminology; Social and psychological theory (i.e. substance abuse, abnormal and deviant behavior, growth and development, group, family, and individual dynamics); CPR, safety, first aid, and life saving techniques; Modern principles of supervision, custodial care and counseling.

Benefits

The County of Ventura offers an attractive compensation and benefits package. Aside from the base salary range, an employee within this position will also be eligible for the following:

• A general salary increase (GSI) of 3.5% effective July 5, 2026.
• An educational incentive of 2.5% for completion of an Associate’s degree, 3.5% for completion of a Bachelor's degree, OR 5% for completion of a Graduate degree.
• Annual leave of 112 hours per year, increasing to 152 hours after 5 years of service.
• Deferred Compensation - Eligible to participate in the County's 401(k) Shared Savings Plan and/or the Section 457 Plan. This position is eligible for up to a 2.5% match on your 401(k) contributions.
• Health Plans - You are offered a flexible credit allowance of up to $15,782 annually for purchasing medical, dental, and/or vision insurance from a group of authorized plans. Flexible Spending Accounts - Pre-tax benefit towards eligible medical, dental, and vision care expenses.
• Pension Plan - Participation in the County's defined pension plan. If eligible, you may establish reciprocity with other public retirement systems such as CalPERS.
• Bilingual Incentive - Proficiency levels by exam are $.69 per hour (Level I), $1.38 per hour (Level II), or $2.81 per hour (Level III).
• Holidays - 12 paid days per year which includes a scheduled floating holiday.
• Uniform Allowance - A uniform allowance of $1,050 on November 1st of each year.
• Textbook and Tuition - Up to a maximum of $2,000 per fiscal year in accordance with the memorandum of agreement.

Pay

PAYROLL TITLE: Deputy Probation Officer I

The Deputy Probation Officer I is represented by the Ventura County Professional Peace Officers Association (VCPPOA) and is eligible for overtime compensation. The eligible list established from this recruitment may be used to fill current and future Regular, Temporary, Fixed-term, Intermittent, and Extra Help vacancies within the Ventura County Probation Agency.

Schedule

Tentative Schedule: OPENING DATE: April 30, 2026 CLOSING DATE: Continuous and may close at any time; therefore, apply as soon as possible if you are interested in it. The schedule for the remainder of the process will depend upon when we receive a sufficient number of qualified applications to meet business needs.

Supplemental Information

• Work at a 24-hour facility, supervising youth in custody.
• Work typically is performed either in the community, correctional facilities, or an office environment.
• Incumbents may encounter hostile reactions from others in the course of performing the job and may be required to restrain rebellious and violent individuals.
• Incumbents are required to work overtime and rotating shifts (including nights, weekends, and holidays) and flexible schedules to accommodate training and other special needs of the Agency.
• As dictated by operational needs, incumbents will be reassigned to other schedules, facilities, and programs, regardless of their initial and/or desired assignments.

Physical and Psychological Requirements

• Prior to final appointment, applicants must submit to physical and psychological examinations provided by the County to determine their ability to meet Peace Officer standards.

Training

• DPO I will be required to attend and successfully complete approximately 168 hours of State-mandated training during the first year, per the California Board of State and Community Corrections.
• All DPOs are required to attend 24-40 hours of approved training each year thereafter.
• A portion of the first-year training will include physical conditioning to meet the physical standards.
• DPO Is are required to successfully complete all required officer safety training classes, PC832 (Arrest, Search and Seizure) and Public Safety-First Aid with Naloxone.
• Another medical exam may be required if the PC832 course is not completed at least 6 months from the date of the medical exam that was completed prior to appointment to the position.
• Maintain proficiency in Agency approved tactics such as control/restraint methods, the use of Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) pepper spray, Conducted Energy Weapon (TASER) mechanical restraints, and blocking and defensive striking techniques.

Probationary Period

• Individuals appointed to the position of DPO I are required to serve at least a one (1) year probationary period subject to satisfactory performance.