Assistant Director - Detention

Assistant Director, Detention

Open Until Filled Starting Salary Range: $87,110 - $95,846 DOQ

Do you want to make a meaningful difference in the lives of youth, families, and our community? At the Pima County Juvenile Court, our mission is to protect children, rehabilitate youth, and promote community safety through timely, impartial justice and innovative services. We strive to instill hope and create positive change every day.

Guided by our ICARE and Core Values, we lead with compassion, partner through collaboration, and drive progress with innovation. We uphold the highest standards of professionalism, act proactively, treat all people with respect, respond with urgency and purpose, and remain accountable to those we serve.

As Assistant Director, Detention, you will play a vital role in shaping safe, effective operations and fostering a values driven culture that supports youth and staff alike. Incumbent is responsible for the safety, security and welfare of children in secure custody by providing direction and management of detention center functions, such as programming and operations. Facilitates strategic planning and policy formulation for assigned units and implements plans to achieve division goals.

Directs the work of detention supervisors and acts in advisory capacity to the Director, Detention Services. Supports the director in achieving departmental objectives and enhancing organizational effectiveness.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

This is a classified safety sensitive position that reports to the Director, Detention Services. This position performs duties under limited supervision and directs detention supervisors and administrative support staff of the assigned unit within the Detention Division. This position acts as designee for Director, Detention Services, when assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in a behavioral science, business, public or judicial administration, or a related field and five years of professional level administrative or supervisory experience, preferably in a court organization. OR a Master's degree and three years of professional level administrative or supervisory experience. OR any equivalent combination of experience, training, and/or education approved by Human Resources.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience/knowledge of psychology principles, juvenile justice systems, youth‑related social sciences, ACA Standards, OJJDP requirements, AOC Operational Guidelines, and best practices in juvenile detention care.
• Thorough understanding of detention and probation operations, including related policies, procedures, and court-related functions.
• Demonstrated competence in leadership and supervisory practices, including employee development, team building, and the effective administration of budgets, programs, and operational activities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally and effectively with judges, court staff, administrators, detainees and their families, community agencies, and the general public.

The successful candidate must have, or will be, required to successfully pass juvenile detention officer post-offer background check requirements as governed by the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration (ACJA) § 6-106 and ACJA § 6-311 (Detention Operations), operating under the statutory authority of A.R.S. § 8-203. Statutory background check processing for these positions is also cross-authorized by A.R.S. § 41-1750.

The post-offer background check process is below for reference:

• Fingerprint & Criminal History:
  Run through the Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS) and the National Crime Information Center (NCIC).
• Motor Vehicle Record (MVD): A complete driving history check in Arizona and any prior state of residence.
• Department of Child Safety (DCS): A search of the DCS Central Registry for historical allegations of child abuse or neglect.
• Drug Screening:
  Mandatory urinalysis testing for illegal substances, including dangerous narcotics and cannabis.
• Psychological & Physical Evaluations:
  Passing a pre-employment psychological…