Juvenile Court Manager of Probation Services

Why It's a Great Opportunity Pierce County Juvenile Court is a national leader in youth justice. Many of our policies, practices, and programs are recognized across the country. We are committed to improving outcomes for the whole community by working closely with young people and families. While our reform work has brought positive results, we know more progress is needed. Parts of the current system create wide-ranging differences in outcomes for children and families, especially those who have not been well served in the past. If you want to help move this work forward, prepare young people for successful adulthood, and support change inside the system and in the community, this role offers that opportunity. Your compassion, active listening, support, empowerment, and advocacy for young people and families will be valued. We welcome your perspective and talents. We believe people and systems can grow, and together we can make a strong impact in the community. Why It's a Great Department Pierce County Juvenile Court is an innovative leader in the youth justice field. It is home to where reform policies, practices, and programs are nationally recognized. Pierce County Juvenile Court was one of two sites in the nation to be selected to pursue Probation Transformation in partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The Juvenile Court system is proud to be a national leader in working with young people and families to address systemic racism and improve outcomes for all people in our community. Even with the successes in our reform journey, we know that there is more work to do as the structure of our current system is designed to produce disparate outcomes for BIPOC children and families, as well as marginalized communities. Your passion for leading with compassion, listening, supporting, empowering, and providing resources and advocacy to young people and families will be valued here. We welcome and embrace your diverse perspective and talents. We believe people and systems can change, and together, we will make a powerful impact in the community. Our Guiding Principles We Practice Gratitude: We put relationships first and show appreciation for others. We Value Differences: We respect a wide range of opinions, cultures, and experiences. We Maintain a Growth Mindset: We focus on effort, perseverance, and helpful feedback. We Choose Courage Over Comfort: We face challenges and difficult conversations with care, and support one another. We Practice Authenticity: We are genuine, speak truthfully, and seek to understand experiences different from our own. How to be Successful in the Role Pierce County Juvenile Court is strongly committed to the principles of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI). This work centers on fair access, strong community partnership, and practices that match the developmental needs of young people. These approaches help reduce the use of detention and improve outcomes for youth and families. The Probation Manager will play a key leadership role in advancing these values. This position guides staff in using evidence-based approaches, building collaboration with community partners, and ensuring probation services align with JDAI's core strategies. The work is done in close partnership with a dedicated group of judicial officers who operate under case law and statute. As a result, the Probation Manager must balance legal requirements with innovation, consistency, and practices that keep young people at the center of decision-making. Together, this leader and the court's judicial and management team will support a system that prioritizes rehabilitation, accountability, and opportunities for youth to grow. You will prioritize the safety and security of youth and staff by using effective behavior-management and de-escalation skills. Responding to situations with awareness of difficult experiences and with compassion will support success in this role. You must be able to work in a high-conflict environment while staying focused on strengths and helping cases move forward. You will think critically, challenge assumptions, reduce bias, and advocate based on the needs and values of young people and families. You must be responsive to community needs and communicate persuasively. You will respond to situations with awareness of difficult experiences and with practices that remove obstacles to participation. This work can be emotionally demanding, so maintaining personal wellbeing is important for long-term success in child welfare. Your Future in this Role As the justice system continues to evolve, we welcome forward-thinking, creative, and compassionate people who thrive in fast-changing, innovative environments. This position offers opportunities for professional development, leadership, and training. You will also build connections with partners in child welfare, education, mental health, community supports, substance-use treatment, economic-stability services, and other areas affecting young people and families. Strategic Responsibilities and Values You should be adaptable, forward-thinking, attentive to community needs, and compassionate while supporting the safety and wellbeing of young people under Juvenile Court jurisdiction. You will help advance our vision of a safe, connected community where all young people and families are encouraged to build on their strengths and reach their potential. You will help instill hope by setting goals, identifying paths forward, and believing in the possibility of change. Core Daily Responsibilities Plans, administers, and coordinates the activities of department units, develops program objectives and operational goals, updates procedures and existing guidelines as necessary to meet changing conditions. Evaluates individual and program accomplishments against established standards, goals, and timetables, and recommends remedial, motivational, or laudatory action as appropriate. Works collaboratively with the judicial officers assigned to Juvenile Court, advocating for probation's needs and perspectives while ensuring practices, recommendations, and decisions align with the legal direction and authority of judges and commissioners. Manages and provides leadership to multiple teams, including Juvenile Probation Counselors, Case Monitors, the Diversion Coordinator, Extra-Hire staff, interns, and volunteers, ensuring cohesive service delivery and consistent adherence to departmental standards. Collaborates closely with key areas of Pierce County Juvenile Court - Detention, Dependency, Operations, and the Clerk's Office to support integrated practices, shared priorities, and effective communication across the organization. Plans, assigns, reviews, and evaluates the work of subordinate employees; defines responsibility and authority of subordinate positions and establishes standards of performance; recommends merit step increases; recommends promotional actions. Recommends resolution of employee grievances at the department level; recommends and executes disciplinary #J-18808-Ljbffr Pierce-County-Washington