Probation Officer I

Pima County

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Probation officers provide casework services to probationers at the direction of the Superior Court, using evidence-based practices and following the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration. This juvenile probation officer role supervises assigned probationers, works with youth and their families, and makes contacts in homes, schools, workplaces, treatment facilities, detention, and the community. The position may be assigned to juvenile intake or the Juvenile Court Alternative Community Engagement Services Center (ACES), depending on operational needs.

This is a classified position under general supervision and reports to the Probation Officer III. It has no direct supervisory responsibilities. The work takes place in a 24-hour operation with two 24-hour facilities; assignments may be on a day, evening, or overnight shift. Because work can involve probationers convicted of or adjudicated for serious offenses, the position is designated safety-sensitive and requires defensive-tactics training and proficiency testing. Probation officers have peace-officer authority while performing their duties.

Requirements

• Be a United States citizen or legal resident.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Be at least 21 years old.
• Have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Successfully complete required background and reference checks, interviews, polygraph and/or drug testing, and pre-employment psychological examinations.
• Complete the 40-hour Defensive Tactics Training Academy as soon as practical and no later than 120 days after employment; demonstrate proficiency in the techniques or comparable alternatives; and complete eight hours of refresher training annually.
• Successfully complete the Probation Certification Academy and, if assigned, the Intensive Probation Institute within the first 12 months of employment.
• Submit to the medical examination required by the Corrections Officer Retirement Plan and pass the required physical fitness certification; complete post-offer tuberculosis screening.
• Operate job-related equipment, including motor vehicles, computers, telephones, radios, handcuffs, body armor, and other equipment as assigned.
• Have the mobility and physical capacity to stand, walk, bend, sit, and/or drive for prolonged periods; perform required defensive-tactics movements; reach, grasp, handwrite, and use a computer; lift, drag, push, and carry items of varying weight; and tolerate varying weather temperatures.
• Have sufficient vision to see and read, and sufficient hearing and speech to communicate in person and by telephone.
• Demonstrate self-control, patience, initiative, courtesy, tact, diplomacy, interviewing, motivation, interpersonal, time-management, organizational, analytical, problem-solving, decision-making, and oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrate proficiency in physical and verbal defensive tactics, including the ability to raise arms forcefully, perform minor aerobic activity, stand for up to two hours, maintain balance, perform hand strikes and kicks, use an impact weapon, perform controlled falls and recover unassisted, engage in ground techniques, and tolerate exposure to oleoresin (OC) spray.
• Possess knowledge of the criminal justice system, community resources, diversion and community supervision, juvenile and/or adult intensive probation, social and community corrections casework, adolescent and general human behavior, and evidence-based practices in community corrections.

Nice To Haves

• A bachelor’s degree in behavioral sciences or a related field is preferred.
• Knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice system and community resources.
• Knowledge and understanding of diversion, Standard and Juvenile and/or Adult Intensive Probation, and community supervision.
• Knowledge and understanding of social and community corrections casework.
• Knowledge and understanding of adolescent and general human behavior and evidence-based practices in community corrections.

Responsibilities

• Build relationships and encourage compliance with case plans and probation conditions through frequent telephone contacts and day, evening, home, work, and school contacts.
• Closely supervise and observe probationers’ compliance with probation conditions; direct and counsel probationers and parents or guardians, and conduct field contacts as part of a team.
• Refer probationers and parents or guardians to community resources, treatment, or other interventions based on assessments, behavior, and probation conditions.
• Obtain, assemble, secure, maintain, and file complete identification and case records, including contact notes, and prepare written reports for the court.
• Participate in case review conferences to assess whether a change in supervision level is warranted.
• Appear and testify in court.
• Monitor restitution and probation-fee payments and ensure victims’ notification rights are provided as required by statute.
• Conduct searches and breathalyzer or urinalysis collection, and make documented efforts to locate probation absconders.
• Serve warrants, make arrests, and bring probationers—including those facing revocation for default—before the court.
• Respond appropriately and effectively in confrontational situations, using defensive tactics and techniques when necessary.
• Within Juvenile Intake, decide whether juveniles referred to the Juvenile Detention Center by law enforcement agencies should be released or detained.
• Within ACES, conduct immediate screenings for behavioral health, substance abuse, trauma, and resiliency needs; make community-agency referrals; and arrange respite, case management, or other needed services.
• Complete defensive-tactics proficiency testing and required training, including annual refresher training, and maintain certification.

Benefits

• Corrections Officers Retirement Plan (CORP).
• 15 days of vacation, 12 holidays, and 15 days of sick leave.
• 12 weeks of 100% paid parental leave.
• Employer-paid short-term disability.
• Tuition reimbursement of $5,250 per year.
• Health wellness discount program.
• Mental and behavioral health benefits.
• Paid training with advancement opportunities.
• Upon yearly anniversary, up to 56 hours of accrued sick time, less usage, may be rolled over to vacation time.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level