Probation Assistant

Probation Assistant

Salary

$50,564.80 - $61,526.40 Annually

Location

Merced County Probation Department 1880 Wardrobe Ave Merced, CA

Job Type

Full-time

Job Number

2600530

Department

Probation

Opening Date

10/08/2026

Bargaining Unit

08 Public Services (Full-Time Only)

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Examples of Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assists in tracking a banked caseload of probationers.

• Ensures that all fines and assessments are paid prior to expiration of probation.

• Requests courtesy supervision if necessary when probationers move from Merced County.

• In appropriate situations, returns cases to Deputy Probation Officers for active supervision.

• Assists Deputy Probation Officers in adult/juvenile investigations and cases.

• Assists with processing and transportation of clients.

• Performs follow-up duties concerning delinquent payments.

• May administer drug testing to clients according to established procedures and guidelines.

• May interview defendants at the County Jail and minors at the Juvenile Justice Facility.

• May provide court reports on pre-trial detainees.

• May provide oversight of individuals during the pre-trial process.

• Communicates with personnel from other agencies concerning the status/back grounds of probationers.

• Conducts oral presentations before groups of probationers.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Equivalent to sixty (60) units from an accredited college or university with at least fifteen (15) units of course work in any one of the following or combination thereof: psychology, sociology, administration of justice, criminal justice, social work or other behavioral science. (Direct experience working in a Probation Department may be substituted for the required education on a year for year basis.)

Experience:

Experience working in a Probation Department is preferred.

License:

Possess a valid California drivers license at time of appointment and maintain.

Essential Functions

• Operate a personal computer and other office equipment.

• Communicate effectively in person and over the telephone.

• Prepare and present effective written reports.

• Complete multiple priority projects with conflicting deadlines under stressful conditions.

• Respond appropriately in work situations.

• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.

• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.

• Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.

• Kneel, bend, twist, squat, balance and crawl.

• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination and repetitive hand and arm motion.

• Occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds.

• Normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.

• Regular attendance is an essential function.

Knowledge of:

• Standard office procedures including the use of personal computers, filing and record keeping.

• Effective public relations and leadership techniques.

• Basic knowledge of psychology of human behavior.

• The role of the Probation Department in the criminal justice systems to include the general causes of crime and delinquency.

• Principles and practices of effective supervision and case follow up procedures.

• Court terminology.

• Merced County policies, procedures and practices.

• Federal and State law relating to probation work.

Ability to:

• Read, understand, interpret and explain rules and regulations related to probation services.

• Make oral presentations before groups of probationers.

• Establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those contacted during the course of work.

• Apply sound judgment, assume responsibility and use discretion.

• Learn the principles of adult and juvenile probation work and of related court procedures.

• Express ideas clearly and concisely in oral and written communications.

Why Merced County? A message from the CEO:

HOLIDAYS & LEAVES

VACATION

10 days the first 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 160 hours), 15 days in the second 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 240 hours), and 20 days after 10 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 320 hours).

SICK LEAVE

0.0625 hours sick leave for each paid regularly scheduled work hour. 16 days (130 hours per year) with unlimited accumulation. Optional annual buy back of a portion of accumulated sick leave hours upon meeting certain criteria.

HOLIDAYS

Twelve paid holidays annually plus two optional holidays.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE

Five (5) regularly scheduled workdays.

INSURANCE

HEALTH INSURANCE

Medical Insurance - Merced County offers multiple Medical Plans and contributes towards employee and dependent premiums.

• Anthem 500 EPO
• Anthem 1500 EPO
• Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) with Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Anthem HDHP (High Deductible Medical Plan) without Health Savings Account (HSA)

Dental Insurance - Delta Dental

• County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)

Vision Insurance - VSP

• County pays 100% of the premium for employees and 50% for dependent(s)

DISABILITY INSURANCE

State Disability Insurance (SDI)

Merced County non-management employees are enrolled in the State Disability Insurance Program (SDI). Premiums for this insurance are paid by the employee. This insurance is administered solely by the State, who determines eligibility and payments. Benefit amounts are based on the quarter with the highest wages earned within the base period.

LIFE INSURANCE

County-paid Life and Accidental Death & Dismemberment Insurance

• Represented Employees $10,000

Voluntary Term and Whole Life Insurance are available - premium paid by employee

RETIREMENT

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The County offers a 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan. Employees choose their investment funds and can make pre-tax or post-tax contributions to the plan up to the maximum allowable.

MERCED COUNTY EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION

The retirement plan is a defined benefit plan administered pursuant to the County Employees Retirement Law of 1937 and other provisions of the California Government Code. MCERA members also pay into Social Security. The applicable benefit formula is dependent upon your hire date with an MCERA employer; your pension amount will be determined by your age, years of service and final compensation amount.

EXTRA HELP EMPLOYEES DO NOT QUALIFY FOR COUNTY BENEFITS.

EMPLOYEE PROGRAMS

EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (EAP)

Anthem EAP services provide up to five face-to-face counseling sessions per incident and provides a toll-free "800" hotline available 24/7 for emergencies and crisis intervention. EAP services include counseling services, legal services, financial services and work-life resource services.

EMPLOYEE TICKETS, COUPONS, and DISCOUNTS

The County of Merced has partnered with Employee Savings Tickets to provide discounted coupons and tickets for all county employees to attractions throughout the state and out-of-state. The discounts and coupons are available for shopping, movies, sporting events, theme parks, zoos and aquariums and much more.

THIS BULLETIN IS NOT A CONTRACT AND DOES NOT CREATE CONTRACTUAL OR LEGAL RIGHTS ON BEHALF OF ANY EMPLOYEE. THIS BULLETIN IS SUBJECT OF BEING SUPPLEMENTED, MODIFIED, WITHDRAWN OR OTHERWISE CHANGED PENDING LABOR AGREEMENTS AND/OR AT THE DISCRETION OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE OFFICER OR AS THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DEEM NECESSARY.

For answers to specific questions regarding employee benefits, please call Human Resources at 209.385.7356.

01

List your college coursework in the following areas: psychology, sociology, administration of justice, criminal justice, social work or other behavioral science. Include the course title and the number of units earned for each course.

Required Question

Employer Merced County

Address 2222 M Street

Merced, California, 95340

Phone (209) 385-7682

(209) 385-7682

Website http://www.countyofmerced.com