Youth Program Officer

Overview

DEPT OF JUVENILE CORRECTIONS

Our vision is to make Arizona’s community safer by delivering effective rehabilitative services to the young people entrusted to our care. The mission of the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections is to provide the young people in our care with evidence-based rehabilitative services that enhance their well-being and equip them with the skills and resources they need to thrive as successful members of society.

Job Location:

Address:
Adobe Mountain School
2800 W. Pinnacle Peak Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85027

Posting Details:

Salary: $58,804.26

Grade: DJ19A

Closing Date: 02/17/2026

OPEN TO CURRENT ADJC EMPLOYEES ONLY!

We are seeking a Youth Program Officer III/Caseworker (YPO III) who will work directly with youth by providing a wide range of casework duties to include clinical oversight, crisis intervention, supervision, and group facilitation. The YPO III will work collaboratively with various teams and staff, and will provide services to youth families, outside agencies and agency staff.

• Prepares and facilitates Psycho-educational groups and documents group for each individual youth
• Documents notes for all contact with youth, youth families, outside agencies, and internal agency assessment
• Plans, schedules, conducts and participates in various meetings
• Ensures positive and effective engagement to youth’s family and outside agencies
• Assists with youth supervision, behavior management, and oversight of youth within the facility
• Provides additional support to other unit staff as needed when situations arise
• Acts as a positive role model for youth and ensures positive interaction and communication
• Conducts one on one discussions with youth as needed
• Provides crisis intervention assistance, and conducts conflict resolutions as needed
• Other duties assigned as related to the position

Knowledge of:

• Agency policies and procedures
• State juvenile justice systems
• Developmental needs of juveniles
• Dynamics of human behaviors and crisis intervention
• Principles and practices of casework
• Paraprofessional counseling and assessment
• Computerized documentation systems

Skill in:

• Written and verbal communication
• Conducting interviews
• Working with database formats
• Compiling and maintaining case summaries and records
• Interpersonal relationships
• Performing individual and group paraprofessional counseling
• Customer service
• Youth and adult de-escalation
• Problem solving
• Leadership and decision making
• Group facilitation
• Proper documentation
• Computer software to include but not limited to Google Suite (docs, sheets, etc.)

Ability:

• Learn and apply Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections’ policies and procedures
• Collaborate effectively with ADJC personnel, other governmental employees, and stakeholders
• Communicate effectively
• Resolve conflict
• Analyze situations and take effective actions
• Interpret and apply Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations
• Manage behavior and maintain control of youth
• Follow written and verbal instruction
• Work in a correctional environment

ADJC Career Path Eligibility Criteria:

Two or more years of experience as a Youth Corrections Officer; with a Promotional Recommendation Form signed by the direct supervisor and upline manager

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function on the job, then the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license records checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked or suspended.

employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R).

Employment is contingent on the selected applicant passing a comprehensive…