Adult Probation Officer

Maricopa County•Phoenix, AZ

About The Position

The Adult Probation Officer provides casework services to probationers at the direction of the Superior Court, using evidence-based practices and following the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration. Officers supervise assigned probationers, meet with them at home, work, and other locations, conduct interviews and social or pre-sentence investigations, assess progress, perform searches, and make arrests when warranted. They coach probationers in problem-solving and cognitive behavioral skills and use risk-reduction strategies to support long-term behavioral change and reduce recidivism. The position requires a complete pre-employment background and reference check, polygraph, psychological examination, and a medical examination required by the Correctional Officer Retirement Plan. Officers participate in the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS). The role is safety-sensitive and involves field contacts across Maricopa County; 60% to 80% of client contacts are expected to take place in the field. Officers may be reassigned to other Judicial Branch locations according to departmental needs.

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 by the time of hire, a valid Arizona driver license.
Complete the 40-hour Defensive Tactics Training Academy no later than 120 days after employment begins.
Complete the Probation Certification Academy and, if assigned, the Intensive Probation Institute within the first 12 months of employment.
Submit to a medical examination required by the Correctional Officer Retirement Plan.
Complete eight hours of defensive tactics refresher training annually and maintain a certificate of successful completion.
Demonstrate effective time management and organization.
Demonstrate self-control, patience, initiative, courtesy, tact, and diplomacy.
Use interviewing, motivating, and interpersonal relationship skills.
Analyze individuals and situations, solve problems, and make sound decisions.
Communicate effectively in spoken and written English with people of varying educational levels.
Maintain effective relationships with diverse populations and demonstrate professional behavior and ethical conduct.
Apply correctional casework principles and methods and manage multiple assignments efficiently.
Meet defensive tactics proficiency requirements, including physical and verbal techniques or comparable alternatives.

Nice To Haves

Experience with social and correctional casework, interviewing, and counseling.
Experience or knowledge of the criminal justice system and community resources.
Knowledge 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 or knowledge of pre-sentence investigations and caseload management.

Responsibilities

Coach probationers on 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, and breathalyzer or urinalysis testing, to apply appropriate risk-reduction strategies.
Maintain complete and confidential probationer identification and case records, including arrest reports and contact notes.
Build relationships and encourage compliance through telephone, work-site, and home contacts, including day and evening visits.
Use targeted interventions to help probationers build skills related to criminogenic risks and long-term behavioral change.
Participate in case review conferences to determine whether supervision levels should change.
Refer probationers to treatment centers, community resources, or other agencies as appropriate.
Monitor restitution and probation fee payments and ensure victims’ notification rights are provided as required by law.
Investigate alleged probation violations, search for and attempt 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 and law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to advance rehabilitation and public safety goals.
Maintain effective relationships with team members, probationers, community partners, and the public.
Meet attendance and training standards.

Benefits

Generous paid time off.
Paid sick leave.
Ten paid holidays.
Medical insurance.
Dental insurance.
Vision insurance.
State-sponsored retirement pension plan coverage.
Employee assistance program.
Wellness incentives.
Optional life insurance.
Optional disability coverage.
Optional group legal plan.
Optional pet insurance.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility may be available to eligible full-time Judicial Branch employees.
Sign-on incentive of $1,500 after six months and $1,500 after 18 months.