Juvenile Detention Assessment Officer

Posting Date05/16/25

Application Deadline05/25/25

Pay RangeMin - 1st Quartile - Mid - Max

$27.30 - $29.67 - $32.03 - $36.75

This position is Non-Exempt under the FLSA.

What We Offer

We offer generous paid time off, paid sick leave, and 10 paid holidays! We have affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance, and our employees are entitled to coverage by one of several State-sponsored retirement pension plans, our employee assistance program, and wellness incentives. Additionally, our employees have the option of life insurance, disability, a group legal plan, and pet insurance. Under the current guidelines for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, the Maricopa County Superior Court is a qualifying employer. Therefore, any full time Judicial Branch employee, who meets other eligibility criteria may be eligible for loan forgiveness under this program. Click here to learn more!

Job TypeClassified – Judicial JMR

Department

About the Position

The Juvenile Detention Assessment Officer plays a critical role in the Maricopa County Juvenile Court and Probation Department. This position ensures the appropriate and lawful taking of physical custody of minors from both law enforcement and others for possible admission to the secure detention center and conducts similar decision making regarding custodial release. This team of individuals are the primary support for around the clock (24/7), on-site delivery of public safety information and decisions, exercising sound judgement in making custody detainment decisions and allowing release without a court appearance.

Day, evening, and night shift work is required on a regular and rotating basis and includes working holidays and weekends.

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 a 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.

Position Qualifications

We recognize your time is valuable, so please apply if you meet the following required qualifications:

Education:

Associate’s degree or the completion of 60 semester credit hours from an academically accredited college or university, and

Experience:

Three (3) years of experience in probation, juvenile detention, correctional, adolescent behavioral setting, or a similar setting.

Combined Education and Experience Qualifications:

An equivalent combination of post-secondary education and job-related experience in probation, juvenile detention, correctional, or an adolescent behavioral setting may substitute for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Other Requirements:

Applicants must be at least 21 years of age by time of hire

Candidates will be required to successfully complete a background/reference check, polygraph, and pre-employment psychological evaluation prior to hire

Must possess and maintain a valid Arizona Driver’s License at the time of hire.

Positions in Detention are subject to Tuberculosis (TB) testing. All offers of employment are subject to successful completion of new employee processing and a negative TB result prior to the start date.

Successfully complete Detention Academy including physical restraint training (Handlle With Care).

Our Preferred Candidate Has:

Bachelor’s degree

Juvenile detention experience

Familiarity with Arizona laws and rules applicable to juveniles

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

Knowledge of:

The principles of positive youth development and engagement

The methods of effective writing and communication

Applicable laws and regulations such as Arizona State Detention Standards and PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act)

Skill in:

Reading and interpreting documents such as police reports, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals

Effective, thorough, and accurate documentation

Making and guiding procedural decisions on sensitive and confidential issues

Maintaining confidential information

Effective problem resolution

Effective verbal and written communication, including preparation of reports and sensitive documents

Organization and time management

Assessing crisis situations, diffusing emotional conditions and offering solutions and resources

Ability to:

Exercise sound judgment, make informed decisions, apply common sense, and independently problem-solve situations that arise and require immediate resolution.

Use logic and reasoning to understand, analyze, and evaluate complex situations, and research information to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches.

Utilize computer and appropriate programs (Microsoft Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, Techcare, Juvenile Case Management System, iCIS, etc.) to accurately complete work.

Establish and maintain positive, effective working relationships.

Coordinate and prioritize work activities.

Effectively communicate with the leadership team, families, and stakeholders

Remain in control of emotions and remain calm during stressful situations.

Apply principles and methods of correctional supervision and casework

Follow department policies, procedures, and protocols

Demonstrate a positive, open, and objective attitude towards others

Demonstrate flexibility by readily modifying, responding to, and integrating change with minimal personal resistance

Engage others in a constructive two-way conversation, to demonstrate patience, tact, courtesy, empathy, and tolerance

Appropriately engage in, establish, and maintain relationships with diverse populations of co-workers and detained youth

Essential Job Tasks

(This is not an all-inclusive list of all job duties that may be required; employees will be required to perform other related duties as assigned.)

Facilitates the screening, admittance, release, and detention hearing processes of juveniles referred to and admitted into the Maricopa County Juvenile Detention Center.

Gathers and utilizes the necessary referral history, court record information, police reports, caregiver information, and other relevant information to administer assessment tool(s)

Exercises discretion in establishing necessary jurisdiction and authority to assume physical custody and makes detainment or release decisions.

Completes necessary physical and mental health screening instruments via interview and self-reporting mechanisms to ensure appropriateness for further intake or re-directs appropriate parties to attain external medical clearance as necessary.

Conducts inquiry and interview with caregiver(s), relatives, or other necessary parties to inform decision-making and potential release alternatives.

Monitors and responds to well-being needs of youth taken into physical custody, including sight and sound supervision for safety and suicide prevention

Provides information to other agencies including law enforcement regarding youth in facility care with an adherence to applicable confidentiality laws and rules.

Screens and coordinates custody and release decisions with appropriate County or State agencies for youth whom parental custodial rights have been permanently or temporarily removed.

Researches and evaluates multiple release options involving complex custodial matters, both at initial intake, and upon release after court-ordered detention period.

Assesses vulnerability and safety of the youth related to initial facility housing.

Completes timely, accurate, and reasoned reports for the Court, Judicial Officers and other parties to ensure sound decision making and efficient processes.

Accurately completes forms and performs data entry to ensure legally required hearings are conducted to ensure due process.

Collects and secures personal items of youth consistent with protocols.

Collects fingerprints and DNA as required.

Updates photographs for all admitted youth.

Maintains safety of youth in holding cells including effective use of verbal de-escalation, approved physical controls (Handle With Care), and pro-social behavior management interventions.

Routinely and clearly exchanges necessary information during shift transitions to ensure appropriate communication.

Adheres to relevant and applicable policies, procedures, judicial codes and rules, and State and Federal laws.

May be required or assigned to perform other duties, as needed, including providing direct sight and sound supervision of youth within the facility and/or transportation of youth.

Working Conditions:

Work will be conducted in a secure detention facility with varying shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Work regularly requires climbing of stairs, standing, maintaining focus and sight and sound supervision of detained juveniles and may include noisy, crowded areas. It may include exposure to disruptive people, uncomfortable physical conditions, including heat, cold, wetness, strong odors, dust, pollen, and blood borne pathogens. May include kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, sitting, lifting, grasping, hearing, seeing (including ability to clearly distinguish and identify colors), and repetitive motions including extended periods of time performing data entry. Requires frequently exerting force up to 20 pounds, and occasionally 50 pounds of force to move objects. Requires sufficient strength and coordination for restraining and/or carrying the weight of adults.

Work may include driving of standard vehicle or van.

Additional Information

Judicial Branch Human Resources reserves the right to move forward candidates based on the information provided directly on the application. The hiring authority will select the successful candidate based on departmental needs.

Typically, successful candidates are hired at a salary rate up to the midpoint of the range, based on applicable experience, internal equity, and budgetary allowances.

All Judicial Branch offers of employment and continued employment are contingent upon passing a thorough background and/or fingerprint check. Applicants must completely and fully answer any questions regarding felony and misdemeanor convictions including any convictions that have been expunged or set aside. Failure to include criminal history information is grounds for termination of an offer and employment. A conviction may not automatically disqualify an applicant.

The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County participates in the State Retirement systems ASRS or PSPRS. As such, mandatory membership for all full-time employees includes payroll deducted contributions consistent with each retirement system's requirements. The current contribution rate for ASRS is 12.27% and the current contribution rate for PSPRS is 5.84% and up for the defined contribution plan and 8.82% for the defined benefit plan. For more information about contributions and benefits of these plans visit or

Judicial Branch facilities are located throughout Maricopa County. This position may be reassigned to other locations. Assignments will be made based upon the needs of the department.

The Judicial Branch in Maricopa County is an EEO/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

Apply Now!

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