Position Information
Amended: 11/13/23, 1/22/24, 2/1/24, 7/22/24
This is a continuous recruitment and may close at any time without notice.
Salary: Level I: $1,934.80- $2,312.27; Level II: $2,191.73 - $2,619.32, paid bi-weekly
Shift Pay: 5% additional pay for evening shift work; 7.5% additional pay for night shift work. Applicants must be able and willing to work any shift of a 24-hour period and any 5 of 7 days. Applicants must be willing to work in any outlying county area, as assigned.
Examination Schedule
- Written Exam: August 29, 2024
- Physical Agility: September 17, 2024
Examinations:
- Written Exam (Weighted 100%): May include questions regarding language skills, reading comprehension, writing skills, problem solving skills, reasoning ability and accuracy with names and numbers.
- A Candidate Orientation Booklet is available on-line.
Applicants must attain at least a 70% score on each phase of the examination process.
- Physical Ability Exam (Qualifying Only) :Physical Requirements: Applicants must have the ability to run a distance of 200 yards within 50 seconds, drag a weight of 100 pounds 22 yards within 20 seconds, and push a 75 pound sled continuously for 30 seconds.
Background / Pre-Employment Evaluations (Qualifying Only): An extensive background investigation will be conducted to assess each candidates overall suitability for employment only as a Youth Services Officer. This evaluation may not indicate present suitability for other safety positions or future suitability as a Youth Services Officer. Candidates must be found satisfactory on all respects on the background evaluation.
This position works within the Kern County Probation Department for more information about the department, please view their website here .
Minimum Qualifications / Employment Standards
Level I
- Completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of college coursework from an accredited college or university, preferablycourses in the behavioral sciences. Any equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Qualifying experiencemust be comparable to an entry level Youth Services Officer classification in a California Probation Department operated youth facility. The experience may be substituted for education on a ratio of one and one-half years experience to one year of college.
- A valid California Class C driver's license is required at time of appointment. Specialized licenses may be required depending upon assignment.
Level II: In addition to the above:
- One year of experience as a Youth Services Officer I.
Applicants must be citizens of the United States or a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for citizenship.
Applicants must have a reputation of honesty and trustworthiness. A felony conviction will be disqualifying and convictions for misdemeanors and traffic offenses will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Appointees will be fingerprinted and will be required to pass an extensive background investigation.
- Applicants must attach a copy of their transcripts/degree verifying the completion of 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of college coursework, to this application no later than the submission end date listed above. If you are unable to attach your transcripts/degree to this application, you may e-mail them to Tiffany Nacke [Confidential Information]
Physical Requirements
Applicants must have the ability to run a distance of 200 yards within 50 seconds, drag a weight of 100 pounds 22 yards within 20 seconds and push a 75 pound sled continuously for 30 seconds.
Medical Examination
A thorough physical and psychological evaluation is required. Applicant's state of health must be consistent with the ability to perform the duties of the position as demonstrated by meeting the Board of State and Community Correctionsguidelines for vision, hearing and medical screening. Applicants must be free from conditions which would prevent them from performing work required of a Youth Services Officer.
Full Job Description: Youth Services Officer I
Full Job Description: Youth Services Officer II
About Kern County
Kern County employees provide opportunities that are purposeful to our community. Every employee and every action contributes to the improvement and strengthening of our county.
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High Performance Culture
Kern County is actively engaged in creating a culture that promotes excellence, innovation and continuous improvement. LaunchKern is Kern County's continuous improvement initiative based on the principles of Lean Six Sigma. LaunchKern empowers our valued employees to change the way government works by improving their work environment, saving taxpayer dollars and enhancing services to residents.
Growth Mindset
We always encourage our employees to grow and develop. Kern County has a culture of innovation that allows employees to explore creative and more efficient ways to accomplish their work. We provide access to training and continued professional development in an effort to ensure that our employees have opportunities for career growth.
Additional Information
Admittance to the examination will require a valid government issued photograph identification. Applicants who are unable to present proper identification must make arrangements with the Human Resources Division prior to the test date.
A background check may be conducted for this classification.
Following an offer of employment, you may be required to submit to post offer medical and drug screening tests at County expense.
This examination will establish an eligible list from which appointments will be made at the Kern County Probation Department. Other permanent and temporary appointments will be made as needed. Successful candidates will remain on the eligible list for a period of twelve-months, unless specified otherwise by the Civil Service Commission.
This recruitment is eligible for the Employee Referral Award Program. For information on the Employee Referral Award Program, or to submit a referral form, please use the following link: Employee Referral Award Program.
For more information regarding Kern County's recruitment process, please see our FAQ page .
Kern County is an ADA compliant and an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds to apply. 
