Juvenile Surveillance Officer

Maricopa County • Phoenix, AZ

4d • Onsite

About The Position

Surveillance Officers provide surveillance and supportive casework services to probationers at the direction of the Superior Court, using evidence-based practices and following the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration. The role involves daily interaction with moderate- and high-risk youth and families, field contacts, cognitive behavioral interventions, assessments, case-plan development and monitoring, transition planning, and documentation. Officers respond to daily emails and telephone calls, complete required annual training, and comply with safety requirements.

The position may be assigned to a Domestic Violence Alternative program in the Community Supervision Bureau at the Juvenile Detention Center, or to Standard or Intensive Probation work in the community. Assignments may include evenings, overnights, and weekends. The selected officer may make 60% to 80% of client contacts in the field across Maricopa County, including locations that may not be accessible by public transportation. The position may also involve direct sight-and-sound supervision or transportation of youth.

This is a safety-sensitive role involving potential confrontational situations and risk of assault. Officers must complete a 40-hour Defensive Tactics Training Academy within 120 days of employment, pass proficiency testing, and complete eight hours of refresher training annually. The position requires physical mobility and the ability to perform defensive tactics, including specified movements and training activities. Judicial Branch facilities are located throughout Maricopa County, and the employee may be reassigned based on departmental needs.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED, plus two years of case-management, probation, court, justice-involved population, substance-dependent population, behavioral-health, or qualifying public-safety experience; alternatively, an associate degree or 60 college credit hours, or another combination of education and experience considered in substitution.
• 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 successfully complete background and reference checks, interviews, polygraph and/or drug testing, and a pre-employment psychological examination; the posting separately specifies successful completion of a pre-employment polygraph and psychological examination.
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid Arizona driver license by the time of hire.
• Must complete the 40-hour Defensive Tactics Training Academy within 120 days of employment and pass required proficiency testing.
• Must complete eight hours of defensive-tactics refresher training annually and maintain a certificate of successful completion.
• Must complete the Intensive Probation Institute within the first 12 months of assignment to a juvenile intensive probation caseload.
• Must submit to a medical examination required by the Correctional Officer Retirement Plan.
• Knowledge of time-management and organizational techniques.
• Skills in self-control, patience, initiative, courtesy, tact, diplomacy, interviewing, motivating, interpersonal relationships, critical analysis, problem-solving, decision-making, and effective oral and written communication in English.
• Ability to operate job-related equipment, including motor vehicles, computers, telephones, radios, handcuffs, body armor, and other equipment depending on case assignment.
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with diverse populations, demonstrate professional and ethical conduct, apply correctional casework principles and methods, and manage multiple assignments effectively.
• Ability to meet the stated physical and defensive-tactics demands, including prolonged standing, mobility, controlled falls, defensive movements, strikes and kicks, and exposure to OC spray during training.
• Must be able to travel to field contacts throughout Maricopa County; some locations may be inaccessible by public transportation.

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree in behavioral sciences or a related field from an accredited college.
• Experience with social and community corrections casework, interviewing, and counseling.
• Experience in the criminal justice system and knowledge of community resources.
• Experience with adolescent and general 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 caseload-management principles and practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide closely structured surveillance and observation of probationers’ compliance with probation conditions, including counseling probationers and their parents or guardians and conducting field contacts as part of a team.
• Coach probationers in cognitive-behavioral and problem-solving skills to support compliance and reduce future criminal behavior.
• Conduct accurate risk-and-needs assessments and develop and implement individualized case plans focused on risk reduction.
• Conduct meaningful contacts, field contacts, and office visits, applying risk-reduction strategies based on assessment results.
• Maintain complete probationer identification records and documentation, including contact notes on compliance with probation conditions and case plans, and prepare written reports for probation officers.
• Build relationships that encourage compliance through frequent telephone and work-site contacts, including home contacts during the day, evenings, and weekends.
• Use targeted interventions to help probationers build skills related to criminogenic risk.
• Refer or direct probationers to community resources, treatment, and other interventions based on assessments, behavior, and probation conditions.
• Participate in case-review conferences with probation officers to determine whether a change in supervision level is warranted.
• Conduct searches, collect breathalyzer or urinalysis samples, and make documented efforts to locate absconders.
• Appear and testify in court.
• Respond appropriately to confrontational situations and use defensive tactics and techniques when necessary.
• Collaborate and maintain contact with social-service and law-enforcement agencies and other stakeholders to support rehabilitation and public safety.
• Perform other assigned duties, potentially including direct sight-and-sound supervision of youth in a facility and transportation of youth.
• Complete required training and comply with safety requirements, including defensive-tactics training and annual refresher training.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off, paid sick leave, and 10 paid holidays.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Coverage under one of several State-sponsored retirement pension plans.
• Employee assistance program and wellness incentives.
• Optional life insurance, disability coverage, group legal plan, and pet insurance.
• Eligible full-time Judicial Branch employees may qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness if they meet other program eligibility criteria.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED