Superintendent – Institutions Division (Open and Promotional)

The County of San Mateo Probation Department is seeking highly qualified candidates with exceptional leadership qualities for Superintendent.

The Position

The Superintendent (Probation Services Manager II) is responsible for planning, organizing, directing, and coordinating significant program areas within the Institution Division while developing and implementing divisional goals, policies, and priorities. This role provides high-level administrative support to senior management within the Probation Department and holds full management responsibility.

Reporting to the assigned Deputy Director of Probation Services, the Superintendent exercises direct and indirect supervision over lower-level supervisory, sworn, professional, technical, and clerical employees. This position oversees major functional areas such as court services, supervision services, or juvenile hall operations. Additionally, the Superintendent provides leadership and direction to the PSM I (Assistant Superintendent) and Institution Services Managers, ensuring effective staff supervision, coordination, and support. This role is also responsible for maintaining the care, custody, and control of minors and nonminors detained in juvenile hall while ensuring operational efficiency and policy compliance.

The ideal candidate will be: 

• A visionary, "big picture" thinker who is comfortable with organization movement and has the capacity to manage organizational change.

• A dedicated, results-oriented individual with a genuine desire to be a part of the department's management team and its' future. 

• A leader with knowledge of and diverse experience in juvenile hall operations as well as expansive work experience in a sworn capacity.

• An approachable and politically astute leader, with a management style that fosters trust, loyalty, respect, commitment and partnership.

• An experienced, productive manager who leads by example, empowers staff and values a culture of collaboration and accountability of all employees.

• An excellent communicator, both orally and in writing, with an ability to make effective and persuasive presentations in order to achieve consensus.

• A diplomatic member of the Probation management team.  

• An independent thinker who fosters teamwork and welcomes new and creative ideas. 

• Knowledgeable of County policies, procedures and Memorandums of Understanding and be comfortable in handling personnel issues while working closely with County Human Resources.

Note: This position will receive a 5% salary increase in October 2025, followed by an additional 4% increase in October 2026, as part of negotiated cost-of-living adjustments.

The Superintendent will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following:

• Provide highly responsible administrative and management assistance to the Deputy Chief Probation Officer(s) by planning, organizing, directing, and reviewing all functions and activities of various programs within the Institutions Division.

• Direct, supervise, and guide assigned departmental staff by establishing goals, policies, and performance standards; conducting periodic evaluations of staff performance; and counseling staff on their performance and career development, ensuring alignment with the Department’s mission and expectations.

• Manage and oversee program budgets.

• Oversee the department’s Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and departmental safety plans.

• Consult with and advise the Court, other County staff, and the public regarding probation policy issues, and participate in the development of standards and programs related to these policies.

• Collaborate with other department managers and external criminal justice personnel on all aspects of probation services; identify challenges, develop strategies to address them, and assist in the implementation of solutions as needed.

• Provide direction and counsel to program staff in planning, resource allocation, budgeting, and information systems to support the Department's goals and responsibilities.

• Establish a culture of quality supervision by setting clear expectations, monitoring and enforcing probationary periods, mentoring and guiding staff, and leading by example.

• Participate in internal administrative investigations and personnel matters.

• Perform related duties as assigned.

• Federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to probation work.
• Principles and practices of organizational analysis and probation planning.
• Principles and practices of probation casework and methods of dealing with crime, delinquency prevention, control, and rehabilitation.
• Accepted methods of juvenile group and casework techniques and practices.
• Principles of financial administration, including public budgeting.
• Community resources available for probation casework.
• Computer systems and applications as used within the County.
• Principles, concepts and techniques of program management and evaluation.
• Principles of personnel training, supervision, and evaluation.
• Effective methods of supervision and management principles.
• Strategies for motivating and managing employees.
• Computer systems and applications as used within the County.

• Direct and participate in advanced administrative and operational activities related to probation work.
• Coordinate program area activities with other departments, programs and/or outside agencies.
• Direct and participate in the analysis of a wide variety of moderate to complex administrative/operational problems and make effective operational and/or procedural recommendations.
• Develop and administer policies, guidelines and procedures related to assigned program area.
• Utilize appropriate interpersonal style and methods of communication to gain acceptance, cooperation, or agreement of a plan, activity, and/or program idea.
• Provide leadership in stressful situations, while maintaining interpersonal, cultural, and ethnic awareness and sensitivity.
• Supervise, evaluate and train assigned personnel.
• Interpret laws and regulations.
• Analyze and solve problems effectively.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Perform complex mathematical and statistical calculations accurately.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.

Salary : $140,442 - $175,552