In 2008, the Probation Director position was created to oversee Field Investigation and Supervision Services for Probation Department operations. At the time of its creation, the position was a promotion from the Probation Manager classification, but lower in the command structure than the higher ranking Chief Deputy Probation Officer. In 2011 the Assistant County Probation Officer position was created and the Chief Deputy Probation Officer position remained an active but unused classification until 2019, when it was eliminated. Between 2008 and 2019 roles and responsibilities of the Probation Director position evolved and eventually encompassed many of the former responsibilities of the Chief Deputy Probation Officer, including oversight of the two Probation Department juvenile detention facilities and new broadened field aspects, such as those mandated through criminal justice realignments in both Juvenile Services (2007) and Adult Services (2011). With the elimination of the Chief Deputy Probation Officer classification, and the shifting of some duties to the Probation Director, adding an additional merit pay step to the salary range for both the Probation Director and the Assistant County Probation Officer will allow the County to compensate the Probation Director appropriately, and to maintain the appropriate difference in salary between the Probation Director and the Assistant County Probation Officer.

If this action is not approved, the salary will not properly compensate executive staff for the additional work that they assume in their positions.