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Santa Barbara County Probation

What We Do

The Probation Department, established in 1909, has been providing effective community corrections solutions to Santa Barbara County residents for over 100 years.

The Department provides custody, education, vocational, and treatment services for youth detained at the Susan J. Gionfriddo Juvenile Justice Center (JJC). The Department also provides assessment, investigation, and supervision services for justice-involved individuals, and provides victim assistance through notification services and the collection of restitution.

The Department has implemented a wide variety of evidence-based programs to strengthen families, suppress gang activity, and address alcohol and drug abuse as these behaviors contribute to criminal activity. These programs, created in collaboration with the Courts, schools, local law enforcement agencies, and county health and human services departments, are located throughout Santa Barbara County.

Mission

The Santa Barbara County Probation Department's mission is to protect and serve the community by:

  • Providing information and recommendations to the Courts
  • Providing safe, secure, and effective juvenile detention and treatment programs
  • Enforcing court orders and supervision and release conditions, requiring responsibility/accountability, and supporting rehabilitation
  • Supporting victims of crimes by facilitating reparation and restitution collection

Vision

The vision of Santa Barbara County Probation Department is to promote justice and safety in the community through:

  • Delivering corrections services that are evidence-based, community-oriented, strength-based, and family-focused
  • Guiding, motivating, and directing those under supervision to take personal responsibility for their actions and facilitating case plans that support their success in the community
  • Maintaining collaborative partnerships with Courts, law enforcement, schools, and community service agencies
  • Supporting victims by serving as an informational resource, establishing and collecting restitution, and providing balanced and restorative justice interventions for the community
  • Encouraging active and informed community responses to crime

Martin Rivera

Oct 19, 2026
Full time
Juvenile Institutions Officer - Lateral Transfer
$77,882 yearly
Santa Barbara County Probation Santa Barbara, CA
BEFORE YOU APPLY, PLEASE READ ALL INFORMATION ON THIS JOB BULLETIN.  *********************************** This recruitment is  ONLY  for  lateral transfers  from other California public agencies. The County of Santa Barbara Probation Department is currently accepting lateral transfer applications for current regular employees of another public agency operating a personnel merit system in the State of California for the Juvenile Institutions Officer classification. *********************************** SALARY / BENEFITS: $77882 Annually, plus bilingual and uniform allowance when applicable.  BENEFITS OVERVIEW:  BENEFITS OVERVIEW:  Vacation:  12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment. Holidays:  12 days per year.  Sick Leave:  12 days sick leave per year. Unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit...
Oct 19, 2026
Full time
Juvenile Institutions Officer Santa Barbara
$77,556 yearly
Santa Barbara County Probation Santa Barbara, CA
SALARY / BENEFITS:  $75,408.32 - $96,158.40 annually, plus bilingual and uniform allowance when applicable.  BENEFITS OVERVIEW:  Vacation:  12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment. Holidays:  12 days per year.  Sick Leave:  12 days sick leave per year. Unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement.   Health Plan:  Choice of medical and dental plans (with vision care). County contributes toward the employee's premium.  On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria:  Provides ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents over age of 2. For County benefits, please visit  here . In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for retirement reciprocity and time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate....
Oct 01, 2026
Full time
Juvenile Institutions Officer
$75,408 - $96,158 yearly
Santa Barbara County Probation Santa Maria, CA
Description SALARY / BENEFITS:  $75,408.32 - $96,158.40 Annually, plus bilingual and uniform allowance when applicable.  BENEFITS OVERVIEW:  Vacation:  12 to 25 days per year depending on length of public employment. Holidays:  12 days per year.  Sick Leave: 12 days sick leave per year. Unlimited accumulation, one year of which can be converted to service credit upon retirement.   Health Plan:  Choice of medical and dental plans (with vision care). County contributes toward the employee's premium.  On-Site Employee Health Clinics in Santa Barbara and Santa Maria: Provides ongoing and episodic services to eligible employees and their eligible dependents over age of 2. For County benefits, please visit here. In addition, applicants from other public sector employers may qualify for retirement reciprocity and time and service credit towards an advanced vacation accrual rate. The Probation Department is...
Oct 01, 2026
Full time
Juvenile Institutions Officer - Lateral Transfer
$75,666 - $96,488 yearly
Santa Barbara County Probation Santa Maria, CA
Description PLEASE CAREFULLY READ ALL INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS.   ***********************************   Note:  This recruitment is for  regular employees  of another public agency operating a personnel merit system in the State of California.     If, after reviewing the job description of the position you are requesting a lateral transfer, you believe you meet the employment standards, submit a Lateral Transfer application. Keep in mind that the County of Santa Barbara may not have current vacancies for every job classification available.    For a complete list of job classifications, please visit the County of Santa Barbara’s Job & Salary Information.    A separate application is required for each job classification you are interested in applying to as a lateral transfer.   *********************************** SALARY / BENEFITS:   Salary : $75,666.45 - $96,487.56 Annually, plus...
Oct 01, 2026
Full time
Deputy Chief Probation Officer
$171,702 - $219,136 yearly
Santa Barbara County Probation Santa Barbara, CA
This posting covers Santa Barbara County. The location shown is the county; the work may be anywhere in it. Description Known for its collaborative culture and stellar reputation, the Probation Department is seeking a Deputy Chief Probation Officer (DCPO) to join its outstanding executive team. Under the direction of the Chief Probation Officer, the DCPO will plan, organize and direct the activities of a Division in the Probation Department. As a member of the executive team, a DCPO is responsible for embracing innovation and providing vision and guidance to meet the challenges of the present and shape the Department of the future, while maintaining or exceeding the current standard of excellence. The DCPO is an at-will assistant department leader position which serves at the pleasure of the Chief Probation Officer and is exempt from the civil service system. The selected DCPO is anticipated to initially oversee either Adult Community Supervision Services or Adult...