Edhat StaffSource: Superior Court of the County of Santa Barbara
Superior Court Presiding Judge Patricia L. Kelly, will administer the Oath of Office to the new Chief Probation Officer, Tanja Heitman in Dept. 5 of the Santa Barbara Historic Courthouse at 3:30 p.m. on Friday, December 1, 2017.
Tanja Heitman has served as interim Chief Probation Officer since October 31, 2017. Prior to that she served as Deputy Chief Probation Officer of the Santa Barbara County Probation Department’s Adult Division since May of 2013. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas, in 1988; and began her career with Santa Barbara County Probation in 1990 as a Juvenile Institutions Officer at the Santa Barbara Juvenile Hall.
During her 27-year tenure with the Department, Ms. Heitman has served within the Juvenile Institutions, Adult, and Administrative Divisions in a variety of capacities, enhancing her overall expertise in all areas of probation operations. She has served on numerous state committees related to funding and data within the probation field. She has been instrumental in the planning and implementation of Realignment in Santa Barbara County, working collaboratively with representatives from the Court, the Sheriff’s Department, the Offices of the District Attorney and Public Defender, and local community-based groups. She was previously recognized with several awards, including the Chief Probation Officer of California’s (CPOC) Staff of the Year, the Southern Region CPOC Employee of the Year, Santa Barbara County Probation Peace Officers Association President’s Award, and Santa Barbara County Chief’s Award.
The Court recognizes the breadth of experience Ms. Heitman possesses and is looking forward to working with her as the Chief Probation Officer.
