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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 Type

Department

About the Position

Surveillance Officers provide surveillance and supportive 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 surveillance officer interacts with moderate and high-risk youth and families on a daily basis, provides surveillance and performs field contacts, and uses cognitive behavioral interventions. Responds to e-mails and telephone calls daily, completes assessments as assigned and helps with the development of case plans goals: addresses regress and progress toward case plan goals and conditions of probation. Assists with transition planning when juveniles exit detention or residential placement. Documents contacts with the juvenile, their family or multi-disciplinary team members. Completes all required training on a yearly basis and complies with all safety requirements.

This position may be assigned to a Domestic Violence Alternative program assigned to the Community Supervision Bureau located inside the Juvenile Detention Center OR to a position that supports Standard or Intensive Probation within the community. This position can be assigned to work evenings, overnights, and weekend shifts as needed.

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.

Position Qualifications

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

Education:

• High school diploma or GED

Experience:

• Two (2) years of case management experience, probation experience, court experience, direct work with justice-involved individuals, direct work with substance-dependent populations, direct work in a behavioral health setting, or public safety experience. We define public safety experience as: military experience, law enforcement officer, corrections officer, EMT, firefighter, or security positions for a Federal, State, County, or local government.

OR

Combined Education and Experience:

• Associate degree or the completion of sixty (60) credit hours from an academically accredited college or university accredited through the Council for Higher Education (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education (USDE).

• Other combinations of education and experience may be considered in substitution for the minimum qualifications.

Other Requirements:

• 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 background/reference checks, interviews, polygraph and/or drug testing, and pre-employment psychological examination.

• Must successfully complete a pre-employment polygraph and psychological examination.
• Must possess or have the ability to obtain by the time of hire, a valid Arizona driver license.
• Completion of the 40-hour Defensive Tactics Training Academy (as described in working conditions) no more than 120 days from the date of employment. [see ACJA § 6-107(F)]
• 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.
• Must successfully complete the Intensive Probation Institute, within the first twelve (12) months of assignment to a juvenile intensive probation caseload. [per ACJA § 1-302(K)(4)].

Our Preferred Candidate Has:

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

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Effective time management and organization techniques.

Skill in:

• Self-control, patience, initiative, courtesy, tact and diplomacy
• Interviewing, motivating, and interpersonal relationships.
• Critical analysis of individuals and situations in order to problem solve and make sound decisions.
• Effective oral and written communication in English with individuals of varying educational levels.

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.
• Maintain effective relationships with diverse populations.
• Demonstrate professional behavior and ethical standards of conduct.
• Apply principles and methods of correctional casework.
• Plan and manage multiple assignments efficiently and effectively.

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.)

• Performs closely structured surveillance and observation concerning compliance with conditions of probation, including directing and counseling the probationer and parents/guardians and conducting field contacts (home, work, treatment facilities, schools, community restitution or detention) as a member of a team.
• Coaches probationers on cognitive-behavioral and problem-solving skills for the purposes of upholding compliance with conditions of probation, while simultaneously working to reduce future criminal behavior.
• Conducts accurate assessments to identify risk and needs and develops/implements individualized case plans focusing on risk reduction.
• Conducts meaningful contacts, including directing and counseling the probationer and conducting field contacts (home, school, work, treatment facilities, community restitution or detention) and office visits, as a member of a team, to employ appropriate risk-reduction strategies based on assessment results.
• Obtains, assembles, secures, keeps and files a complete identification record concerning the probationer, including contact notes regarding compliance with conditions of probation and case plan to prepare written reports for the probation officer.
• Builds relationships to encourage compliance with the case plan, including conditions of probation, through frequent telephone contacts and work site contacts to include day, evening, and weekend home contacts.
• Works with probationers by using targeted interventions in order to help build skills in areas connected to criminogenic risk. Directs and/or refers probationers to community resources, treatments or other interventions based on assessments, behaviors and conditions of probation.
• Participates in case review conferences with probation officers to determine if change in level of supervision is warranted.
• Performs searches, breathalyzers/urinalysis collection, and makes a documented effort to locate absconders.
• Appears and testifies in court.
• In confrontational situations with probationers or others, appropriately and effectively responds and uses defensive tactics and techniques, as learned at the Defensive Tactics Safety Training Academy, when necessary.
• Collaborates, cooperates, and maintains contact with stakeholders, including social and law enforcement agencies, to further rehabilitative and/or public safety goals.

• 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: 

Must possess: Independent body mobility to stand, walk, bend and sit for prolonged periods of time 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 weight.

Surveillance Officers job duties expose them to a risk of being assaulted by probationers, family members and others in proximity to the probationers.  Officers must be able to recognize and handle confrontational situations using defensive tactics and techniques, when necessary.  For these reasons, the surveillance officer position is designated as a safety-sensitive position in accordance with ACJA § 6-106(A) and ACJA § 6- 107(A). All surveillance officers must “demonstrate, by proficiency testing, competency and understanding of the physical and verbal techniques and tactics presented at the defensive tactics training academy” as required in ACJA § 6-107(F)(1)(b). The proficiency testing is based upon whether they can perform the skills or tactics (or comparable alternatives) necessary for self-defense.  Therefore, those selected for the position must successfully complete 40-hour Defensive Tactics Training Academy as soon as practical, but no later than 120 days from the date of employment.

The Defensive Tactics Training Academy requires that a Surveillance Officer performs and demonstrates through proficiency testing, competency in, and an understanding of physical and verbal defensive tactics and techniques, including the following, or their comparable alternatives:

• Forcefully raise arms above head (straight arm wristlock and takedown)
• Perform minor aerobic activity
• Stand for up to 2 hours at a time
• Engage in balanced movements
• Throw hand strikes (fist strikes and palm heel strikes)
• Use impact weapons (ability to swing arms in a striking action with a baton that weighs 16 ounces)
• Kick at targets below 24” (front snap kicks)
• Perform controlled falls and return to standing position unassisted (break falls and recovery)
• Complete hand strikes and kick drills at partial speed
• Sustain exposure to Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray
• Engage in fighting techniques while on the ground
• Be able to bend knees lower center and touch the ground with one hand (break fall recovery and baton closing technique)
• Be able to bend knees to a 45-degree angle (all ground techniques)

The person(s) selected will make 60% to 80% of their client contacts in the field. These various geographic locations throughout Maricopa County may be inaccessible by public transportation. Must possess a valid Arizona driver's license.

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 https://www.azasrs.gov/ or https://www.psprs.com/corrections-officer/

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!