Chief Probation Officer Appointed for El Dorado County

The County of El Dorado and the Judges of the Superior Court of California, County of El Dorado, are pleased to announce that Brian Richart has accepted appointment as El Dorado County’s new Chief Probation Officer. A unique position under California law, the Chief Probation Officer is appointed by the judges of the Superior Court, with the Board of Supervisors setting the salary and benefit levels. Due to the importance of this position, the Superior Court worked collaboratively with the Sheriff’s Department and county officials to select the best possible candidate.

The County Probation Chief is responsible for the administration of all community based supervision of felony offenders, including those returned from custody under California’s 2011 Realignment legislation. Additionally, the Chief will manage all juvenile offenders under community supervision and in detention. The Chief also chairs the Community Corrections Partnership, which plans and oversees the use of realignment funds within the county.

Mr. Richart was most recently employed as the Administrative Chief of Staff and Adult Division Chief in the Alameda County Probation Department. In that capacity he was responsible for the oversight of more than 600 staff members and a $100 million annual budget. He has also held several positions with the Shasta County Probation Department including Juvenile Hall Division Director, Assistant Chief Probation Officer, and was the Chief Probation Officer from 2006 until 2010. In the private sector, Mr. Richart was the President of Allvest Information Services, Inc. which specializes in the delivery of evidence based practices.

“Brian has a lot of experience with the day-to-day operation of county probation departments both large and small,” said El Dorado County Superior Court Presiding Judge Suzanne N. Kingsbury. “Equally as important will be his knowledge and leadership of the Community Corrections Partnership toward the overall goal of reducing offender recidivism.”

Mr. Richart was appointed to the position on October 22, and is expected to begin work on December 2, 2013; the annual salary range for the position is $118,539 to $144,082. He has a bachelor’s degree in political science from California State University, Chico. He is married to his wife Kimberly of 18 years and has two teenage sons.

“I’m excited and humbled to be the County’s new Probation Chief and look forward to bringing my family into the community,” said Richart. “El Dorado County is a great place to live and I’m looking forward to leading what I know to be a quality department that works in a collaborative county environment.”