Job Details

San Mateo County Probation Department - Internship Program

The San Mateo County Probation Department has a challenging opportunity for college juniors and seniors who are interested in making an impact on their community while gaining valuable on-the-job training and experience in a criminal justice environment.

Positions are non-paid. Academic credit can be provided for students applying for an internship position for units at any college, university, certification program, work-study, or cooperative education program.

Interns must work 9-10 months with a minimum of eight hours per week. After three months, a mid-point evaluation will be conducted. With satisfactory performance at that time, interns may continue for the remainder of the internship, which concludes at the end of the calendar year.

Positions may be available at the following locations:

• Adult Division - HOJ, 400 County Center, 5th Flr, Redwood City, CA 94063
• Adult/Juvenile Division SSF, 999 Grand Avenue, South San Francisco, CA 94080
• Juvenile Division YSC, 222 Paul Scannell Drive, San Mateo, CA 94044

Examples Of Duties:

Deputy Probation Officer:

• Generate legal and official documents for dissemination to criminal court, defendants, and cooperating agencies.
• Assist in interviewing and documenting assessments of defendants to determine appropriate supervision.
• Perform routine fieldwork assistance with officers visiting treatment providers and conducting home visits (participation requires mandatory training).
• Conduct research, data collection, and administrative tasks to support probation officers in managing their caseloads.
• Assists in preparation and presentation of preliminary and final materials.
• Maintains data and systems for budget tracking, reporting and generate reports.
• Interview adults, juveniles, their families, and other relevant individuals to assess the nature of marital, domestic, employment, financial, environmental, or other difficulties.
• Formulate probation plans and present recommendations to supervisors and the court.
• Recommend and establish payment schedules for restitutions and fines; evaluate restitution claims submitted by victims and assess probationers' ability to pay.
• Explain procedures, rights, and responsibilities to probationers.
• Supervise the welfare and conduct of adults on probation and juveniles under Juvenile Court jurisdiction, assisting them in complying with court orders.
• Identify treatment, educational, employment or other programs needed by the probationer; make referrals and follow up to verify and evaluate services received.
• Take necessary legal steps to report probationer noncompliance; initiate court processes when probation terms are violated.
• Consult with professionals in law enforcement, medicine, religion, law and mental health.
• Cooperate with representatives from state and local welfare, school, and law enforcement agencies.

Legal Office:

• Research and compile a variety of informational materials from sources both inside and outside the office to which assigned.
• Type drafts and a variety of finished documents from notes, meeting minutes, instructions, or printed materials; transcribe dictation from tapes; use word processing software and data management systems to prepare reports.
• Organize and maintain various departmental files; purge files as requested.
• Follow up on projects, transmit information, and stay informed of unit activities.
• Prepare agendas and summarize meeting results as required.
• Organize own work, set priorities and meet critical deadlines.
• Maintain office supplies inventory.
• Perform related duties as assigned.
• Answer and transfer department phone calls as needed.

Qualifications:

Minimum Requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must be a current college junior or senior
• Must be able to verify U.S. citizenship or legal residence
• Must not be on any formal, informal or DMV probation
• Must not have a felony conviction
• No pending criminal matters
• Must not have any illegal substance use within the last three years
• Must be able to pass a standard background and fingerprint investigation

Desired Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of modern principles of organization and record keeping.
• Knowledge of basic Microsoft Windows programs and applications (i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• English reading, writing and speaking skills equivalent to a high school graduate.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with others and work in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to adhere to safety precautions and protocol, listen and obey direct orders from superiors, especially when in non-routine situations.
• Ability to adhere to Department policies and criminal laws regarding confidentiality and privacy of highly sensitive information.
• Ability to speak, read and write a second language (i.e. Spanish) desired, but not required.

Application/Examination:

To apply for an internship with the San Mateo County Probation Department, please follow these steps:

1. Visit the online application packet to complete your application and supplemental questions.
2. Send the following documents to ...@smcgov.org with the subject line: Full Name_InternshipProgram2026.

• A current resume
• An unofficial copy of your academic transcript

Selection Process: Applicants who enrolled in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology and Public Administration will be given priority to internship opportunities. Finalists must complete and pass a background investigation before beginning the internship.