By Stephen Baxter
Santa Cruz Sentinel
SANTA CRUZ — Assistant Chief Probation Officer Fernando Giraldo has been tapped to replace longtime Santa Cruz County probation chief Scott MacDonald, county leaders said Thursday.
MacDonald, 54, is expected to retire from the post in December after 30 years of work for the county.
“Fernando is a hard-working, dedicated and nationally recognized leader who will continue to serve this county well as chief probation officer,” MacDonald said.
Giraldo, 46, has worked for Santa Cruz County probation for 18 years. He helped introduced some alternatives to juvenile detention such as an evening center with school tutoring, group counseling and other services for troubled youths. He also has developed data on county programs to see if they reduce repeat offenses.
“I am honored to become chief of a department so committed to serving this community, so committed to collaboration, and whose accomplishments are respected locally and nationally,” Giraldo said.
A national selection process to replace MacDonald started in early September.
Giraldo was interviewed by panels that probed his leadership, community relations and technical skills. He was then asked questions by members of the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors, Santa Cruz County Superior judges and others.
“The work of the probation department is nationally recognized and we look forward to having Fernando maintain the high standard of service and safety we have come to expect for the court and the community,” said Santa Cruz County Presiding Judge John Salazar, who was part of the panel.
Giraldo holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and Latin American studies from UC Santa Cruz. He has been a treatment coordinator and substance abuse counselor for Triad Community Services in Santa Cruz. He also taught students in Spanish.
Giraldo started work as a deputy probation officer in Santa Cruz in 1995. He later became assistant probation division direction in Felton and Watsonville.
Recently, Giraldo worked to find alternative funding for programs such as the Aztecas Soccer Program -- a popular sports group for at-risk youth in Watsonville.
Giraldo’s total salary was $118,915 in 2012, according to public records. MacDonald’s salary was $181,105 in 2012, records show.
Santa Cruz County Supervisor John Leopold said Girardo will do well in his new position.
“His work has been well regarded in the community and he has the full support of the county management team,” Leopold said.