Juvenile Probation Officer

Juvenile Probation Officer

Probation officers provide casework services to probationers at the direction of the Superior Court under the provisions of evidence-based practices and consistent with the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration. The duties of a probation officer include supervising the caseloads of assigned probationers, meeting with probationers in their homes or at their places of school/work, conducting interviews and social or pre-sentence investigations, evaluating probationers' progress, performing searches, and making arrests. Probation officers coach individuals under their supervision, teach problem-solving skills and foster professional relationships that help to reduce recidivism. Probation officers implement the use of risk-reduction strategies and other evidence-based practices in their supervision to encourage long-term, positive behavioral change.

Juvenile Probation Officer assignments are determined based on the needs of the department. Assignments may be made to Detention, Diversion, a standard field caseload, or a specialized unit, and may be based out of the Southeast, Durango, or other Judicial Branch facility. The hours and days a Juvenile Probation Officer works may vary to include evening, weekend, and holiday work.

After a successful 12-month period after hire (finishing probation), employees may be eligible to telework with supervisor approval and business need.

The Juvenile Probation Department of the Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County is dedicated to providing innovative and efficient juvenile justice services grounded in evidenced-based practices and research. These services improve the safety of our community, hold youth accountable through developmentally appropriate orientation, and ensure the public's trust and confidence in the Judicial Branch. Join our Juvenile Probation Department in its mission to promote public safety through positive change as we connect youth to the community and provide opportunities that are delivered with fairness, dignity, and respect.

Position Qualifications

We recognize your time is valuable, so please apply if you meet the following required qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
• Twenty-one (21) years of age by time of hire
• Must be a US Citizen or Legal Resident of the United States of America
• Must successfully complete a pre-employment polygraph and psychological examination
• Must possess or can obtain by the time of hire, a valid Arizona driver license
• Completion of the 40-hour Defensive Tactics Training Academy no more than 120 days from the date of employment. (As described in the "Working Conditions")
• Completion of the Probation Certification Academy and Intensive Probation Institute, if assigned, within the first twelve (12) months of employment ACJA 6-107(F)
• Submission to a medical examination required by Correctional Officer Retirement Plan
• Successfully complete eight (8) hours of defensive tactics refresher training on an annual basis and maintain certificate of successful completion of defensive tactics training. Access to and the ability to safely operate a motorized vehicle
• Positions in Detention are subject to Tuberculosis (TB) testing. All offers of employment are subject to a negative TB result prior to start date

Applicants with a Bachelor's degree from a foreign country must submit an educational equivalency (basic statement of comparability) report completed by an organization which is a current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or an endorsed member of the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE). The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County does not endorse any particular service.

Our Preferred Candidate Has:

• Possess knowledge and understanding of: Prior experience working directly with youth in a behavioral health, social work, detention, education, or social setting
• The principles and practices of social and correctional casework, interviewing, and counseling
• The criminal justice system and community resources
• Principles of human behavior and evidence-based practices in community corrections
• Diversion, Standard and Juvenile and Intensive Probation and community supervision
• The principles and practices of investigations and caseload management.

Essential Job Tasks

• Coaches probationers on cognitive-behavioral and problem-solving skills to uphold the conditions of probation while simultaneously working to reduce future criminal behavior
• Conducts accurate assessments to identify risk and needs and develops individualized case plans focusing on risk reduction
• Conducts meaningful field visits, (home, school, work, treatment facilities, community restitution or detention), office visits, and breathalyzer/urinalysis to employ appropriate risk reduction strategies based upon assessment results
• Obtains, assembles, secures, keeps, and files a complete identification record concerning the probationer, including arrest reports, contact notes regarding compliance with conditions of probation and case plans. Maintains the confidentiality of case records and information as required
• Builds relationships to encourage compliance with the case plan, including conditions of probation, through frequent telephone contacts, school visits, worksite contacts, day and evening home contacts
• Works with probationers by using targeted interventions to help build skills in areas connected to criminogenic risk and which encourage long-term, positive behavioral change
• Participates in case review conferences to determine if change in the level of supervision is warranted
• Directs and refers probationers and their families to community resources such as treatment centers or other agencies based on observation of activities, assessments, behavior, and conditions of probation
• Monitors payment of restitution and ensures victims' notification rights are provided according to statutory requirements
• Investigates alleged violations of probation, conducts searches, makes a documented effort to locate absconders, and effects arrests, if warranted
• Prepares a variety of electronic and written reports, to include pre-disposition reports and violation reports; testifies at court hearings
• Collaborates, cooperates, and maintains contact with stakeholders, including other social and law enforcement agencies, to further rehabilitative and/or public safety goals
• Establishes and maintains effective relationships with other team members, probationers, community partners, and the public
• Maintains attendance and training standards

Additional permanent or temporary assignments may encompass the following additional duties:

• Conduct the intake and release process for Juveniles
• Assist in assessment and classification of Juveniles
• Respond to emergencies inside of a secure Juvenile Detention facility
• Perform sight and sound supervision of juvenile detainees

Working Conditions:

Probation Officers have the authority of Peace Officers in the performance of his/her duties per A.R.S. 12-253.3 and can thus serve warrants, make arrests, and bring persons before the court who are under suspended sentences. Because probationers under Court supervision are convicted felons and/or persons with domestic violence convictions, these job duties expose probation officers to a risk of being assaulted by probationers, family members, and others in proximity to the probationers. Officers must be able to recognize and handle confrontational situations using defensive tactics and techniques, when necessary. For these reasons, the probation officer position is designated as a safety-sensitive position per ACJA § 6-106(A) and ACJA § 6- 107(A). All probation officers must "demonstrate, by proficiency testing, competency and understanding of the physical and verbal techniques and tactics presented at the defensive tactics training academy." ACJA § 6-107(G)(1)(b). The proficiency testing is based upon whether they can perform the skills or tactics (or comparable alternatives) necessary for self-defense. Therefore, those selected for the position must complete 40-hour Defensive Tactics Training Academy as soon as practical, but no later than 120 days from the date of employment

The Defensive Tactics Training Academy requires that a Probation Officer performs and demonstrates through proficiency testing, competency in, and an understanding of physical and verbal defensive tactics and techniques, including the following, or their comparable alternatives:

• Forcefully raise arms above head (straight arm wristlock and takedown)
• Perform minor aerobic activity
• Stand for up to 2 hours at a time
• Engage in balanced movements
• Throw hand strikes (fist strikes and palm-heel strikes)
• Use impact weapons (ability to swing arms in a striking action with a baton that weighs 16 ounces)
• Kick at targets below 24" (front snap kicks)
• Perform controlled falls and return to standing position unassisted (break falls and recovery)
• Complete hand strikes and kick drills at partial speed
• Sustain exposure to Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray
• Engage in fighting techniques while on the ground
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