Adult Probation Officer

Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County•Phoenix, AZ

7d•$33 - $45•Onsite

About The Position

The Adult Probation Officer provides casework services to probationers under the direction of the Superior Court, using evidence-based practices consistent with the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration. Officers supervise assigned caseloads, meet with probationers in their homes and workplaces, conduct interviews and social or pre-sentence investigations, assess progress, perform searches, and make arrests when warranted. They coach probationers in problem-solving, build professional relationships, and use risk-reduction strategies to encourage lasting positive behavioral change. This is a safety-sensitive position with peace-officer authority while performing assigned duties. Officers make 60% to 80% of client contacts in the field, across locations throughout Maricopa County that may not be accessible by public transportation. A valid Arizona driver license is required, and employees provide proof of insurance for authorized use of a private vehicle, for which they are reimbursed. Officers must complete a 40-hour Defensive Tactics Training Academy within 120 days of employment and annual refresher training. The Probation Certification Academy and Intensive Probation Institute are required within the first 12 months if assigned. The role also requires a pre-employment background and reference check, polygraph, psychological examination, and medical examination.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
Must be at least 21 years old by the time of hire.
Must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident of the United States.
Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Arizona driver license by the time of hire.
Complete the 40-hour Defensive Tactics Training Academy within 120 days of employment and maintain the required annual defensive-tactics refresher training certificate.
Complete the Probation Certification Academy and Intensive Probation Institute within the first 12 months of employment if assigned.
Submit to the medical examination required by the Correctional Officer Retirement Plan.
Successfully complete pre-employment background and reference checks, a polygraph, and a psychological examination.
Demonstrate proficiency in physical and verbal defensive tactics, including the required academy skills or comparable alternatives.
Ability to operate job-related equipment, including motor vehicles, computers, telephones, radios, handcuffs, body armor, and other equipment as required by case assignments.
Ability to stand, walk, bend, sit, and/or drive for prolonged periods; reach, grasp, handwrite, and use a computer; see and read; communicate in person and by phone; tolerate varying weather; and lift, drag, push, and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds.
Ability to perform the physical tasks involved in defensive-tactics training, including aerobic activity, standing for up to two hours, balanced movements, strikes, baton techniques, kicks, controlled falls and recovery, ground techniques, and exposure to OC spray.
Ability to recognize and handle confrontational situations using defensive tactics when necessary.
Ability to provide 60% to 80% of client contacts in the field and travel to locations that may not be accessible by public transportation.
Provide proof of insurance when using a private vehicle for authorized work purposes.
Knowledge of effective time-management and organizational techniques.
Skill in self-control, patience, initiative, courtesy, tact, and diplomacy.
Skill in interviewing, motivating, and establishing interpersonal relationships.
Skill in critically analyzing individuals and situations to solve problems and make sound decisions.
Effective oral and written communication in English with individuals of varying educational levels.
Ability to maintain effective relationships with diverse populations.
Ability to demonstrate professional behavior and ethical standards of conduct.
Ability to apply correctional casework principles and methods.
Ability to plan and manage multiple assignments efficiently and effectively.

Nice To Haves

Experience with the principles and practices of social and correctional casework, interviewing, and counseling.
Experience with the criminal justice system and community resources.
Experience with principles of human behavior and evidence-based practices in community corrections.
Experience with diversion, standard and juvenile and/or adult intensive probation, and community supervision.
Experience with pre-sentence investigations and caseload management.

Responsibilities

Coach probationers in cognitive behavioral and problem-solving skills to support compliance with probation conditions and reduce future criminal behavior.
Assess probationers’ risks and needs and develop individualized case plans focused on risk reduction.
Conduct field and office visits, including visits to homes, workplaces, treatment facilities, community restitution sites, and jails; conduct breathalyzer and urinalysis testing as appropriate.
Maintain complete probationer identification and case records, including arrest reports and notes about compliance with probation conditions and case plans.
Protect the confidentiality of case records and information.
Build relationships and encourage case-plan compliance through telephone, work-site, and day or evening home contacts.
Use targeted interventions to help probationers develop skills related to criminogenic risks and positive behavioral change.
Participate in case review conferences to determine whether a change in supervision level is warranted.
Refer probationers to treatment centers, community resources, and other agencies based on assessments, observations, behavior, and probation conditions.
Monitor restitution and probation-fee payments and ensure victims’ notification rights are provided as required by law.
Investigate alleged probation violations, conduct searches, make documented efforts to locate absconders, and make arrests when warranted.
Prepare electronic and written reports, including pre-sentence, pre-trial, and violation reports, and testify at court hearings.
Collaborate with social-service and law-enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to support rehabilitation and public safety.
Maintain effective relationships with team members, probationers, community partners, and the public.
Meet attendance and training standards.
Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

Generous paid time off
Paid sick leave
10 paid holidays
Affordable medical insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
State-sponsored retirement pension plan coverage, including PSPRS participation for probation officers
Employee assistance program
Wellness incentives
Optional life insurance
Optional disability coverage
Optional group legal plan
Pet insurance
Potential eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness for qualifying full-time Judicial Branch employees
Sign-on incentive of $1,500 after 6 months and $1,500 after 18 months
Reimbursement for authorized use of a private vehicle