Juvenile probation officer jobs in Pima County will be primarily found in the Tucson area, where most of the division’s 148 officers work each day in an effort to provide juvenile offenders with supervision and guidance. In a recent year, officers interviewed 8,915 juveniles accused of being involved in criminal behavior on 14,849 counts.
Sponsored School(s)
After undergoing a thorough training process, officers begin their careers in one of the following areas:
- Receiving and Intake
- Evaluation
- Diversion: An alternative to formal probation, a young offender will contractually commit to rehabilitative programs and provide restitution for any monetary damages
- Investigation: Officers will compile a report and make a recommendation to the court for sentencing, diversion, or other treatment options
- Field Probation
- Intensive Probation: Officers will meet with juvenile offenders at least four times per week
- Safe School Program: Officers establish a positive presence in local schools as role models
Having the Right Credentials
Applicants interested in applying for juvenile probation officer jobs can begin by monitoring Pima County’s jobs listings. Applications are submitted through vacancy announcements that involve the creation of an online account with the Arizona Superior Court’s district in Pima County.
The minimum requirements to become juvenile probation officer in Pima County:
- A bachelor’s degree, preferably in the behavioral sciences or a similar field
- One year of experience in a related field such as:
- Counseling
- Social work
- Criminal justice
- Arizona driver’s license
- At least 21 years old and be a U.S. citizen or the status as a legal resident
Juvenile Probation Officer Training
The Pima County Juvenile Court Probation Services Office realizes that providing a quality training experience for officers who are just beginning their careers leads to a higher success rate further down the line. The juvenile probation training program takes place in several phases, and is comprised of:
- Fundamental Skills Program: Establishes a firm philosophical probations foundation
- Eight-hour Safety Orientation
- Certification Academy: Two weeks of certification training in preparation to pass a written test
- Defensive Tactics Academy: Officers will learn how to become proficient in relevant defense and restraint procedures and techniques
- 40 hours of firearms certification, if officers choose to be armed
After their first successful year in their new jobs, officers will need to obtain 80 hours of continuing training classes each year.
What to Expect from a Juvenile Justice Career in Pima County
Juvenile probation officers in Pima County have an average caseload of 30 offenders. Officers will regularly interface between law enforcement authorities, judicial officials, and the families, guardians, and support networks of their assigned juvenile offenders. In addition to their daily work, officers may be called upon to assist new surveillance and probation officers. As officers gain seniority they will be eligible for more specialized caseloads and assignments. There are many opportunities for promotion and advancement within the Juvenile Justice and Superior Court systems.