Juvenile Probation Officer

Maricopa County•Mesa, AZ

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

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. About The Juvenile Probation Department: 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.

Requirements

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.
Completion of the Probation Certification Academy and Intensive Probation Institute, if assigned, within the first twelve (12) months of employment
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).
Must have the ability to operate a variety of equipment necessary to perform job duties such as motor vehicles, computers, telephones, radios, handcuffs, body armor, and other equipment depending on case assignments.
Independent body mobility to stand, walk, bend, and sit for prolonged periods and/or drive a vehicle.
The manual dexterity necessary to reach, grasp, handwrite, and use a computer.
Vision sufficient to see and read.
Hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person and over the phone.
The ability to withstand varying weather temperatures.
The ability to lift, drag, push, and carry items of various weights.
Self-control, patience, initiative, courtesy, tact, and diplomacy to maintain effective relationships with a diverse population; demonstrate professional behavior and ethical standards of conduct.
Interviewing, motivating, and interpersonal relationships.
Time management and organization with the ability to apply principles and methods of correctional casework; planning and managing multiple assignments efficiently and effectively.
Critical analysis of individuals and situations to problem solve and make sound decisions.
Effective oral and written communication in English with individuals of varying educational levels.
Must possess a valid Arizona driver's license.
Officers will be reimbursed for the authorized use of a private vehicle, employees must provide proof of insurance.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak clearly and hear; see details of objects that are less than a few feet away; sit for long periods; stand, walk, use hands to finger handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and occasionally push, pull or lift up to 20 pounds.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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
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