Juvenile Detention Officer I

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and the posting may close without notice once a candidate is selected.

To ensure full consideration, please submit your application by October 26, 2026.

Applications received after this date may be reviewed at the discretion of the hiring authority.

This is a shift-based position with opportunities for evening and night differential pay.

Shifts include:

• 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM
• 2:00 PM - 10:00 PM
• 10:00 PM - 6:00 AM
• Hybrid shift: mix of day, evening and overnight shift

This is a classified position that reports to a Supervisor, Juvenile Detention. The incumbent performs duties under general supervision and has no supervisory responsibilities.

 A minimum of 21 years of age, must be a United States citizen or have legal resident status, and a high school diploma or equivalent G.E.D. certificate.

Licenses and Certificates:

Prior work experience utilizing communication skills with youth ages 16-24.

Once a candidate formally accepts a job offer with Superior Court, Juvenile Court, or Justice Court (Tucson and Ajo), all other active applications within these courts will be inactivated.

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.

Before an applicant can begin service, the juvenile court must execute a rigorous character and fitness investigation mandated by ACJA § 6-106(H): 8-203, A.R.S. 12-251 and Part 6, Chapter 1, Section 6-106 of the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration):

•     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 alcohol, dangerous narcotics and cannabis.

•     Psychological & Physical Evaluations: Passing a pre-employment psychological examination and a physical fitness certification for duty.   

•     A conditional offer of employment will include mandatory post-offer tuberculin screening to confirm candidates are free from infectious TB.

• Implements and delivers programs to youth, supporting detention philosophy, goals and objectives.
• Provides effective role modeling and mentoring to youth in the facility.
• Instructs youths on various skills for future use and success, such as anger management, filling out employment applications, and understanding employment processes. 
• Observes the behaviors of youth and situations that occur, recalls facts and prepares written reports.
• Monitors the detention facility to ensure a safe environment for both the youths and staff.

• Observes and ensures security for the facility in accordance with unit procedures and institutional practices.

• Determines detainee rule infractions, takes appropriate action, and reports violations and incidents.
• Maintains rosters and daily logs, and prepares incident, discipline and progress reports.
• Performs in processing of new youth detainees, which includes a safety and security check of their person and property. Follows in-processing procedures and orients the youths to the booking procedure.
• Escorts youth to and from courtrooms and throughout the facility.
• Drives a court vehicle to transport youth to various appointments external to the center.
• Reacts to physical confrontations and emergency situations quickly and effectively using sanctioned defensive tactics skills.
• Applies restraining techniques requiring physical strength and coordination when necessary.
• Assists other officers who are involved with detained youth.

• →Performs control room and/or court security services tasks as needed.
• →Provides information and limited instruction to new detention officers, on-call officers and volunteers assigned to perform routine tasks in the center.
• →Testifies at court hearings when necessary.
• →Attends meetings and assists in developing special plans to address the youth’s risk and needs.
• →Performs related duties and projects as assigned.

• Must have some knowledge of the purpose of juvenile detention.
• Must have knowledge of basic computer skills.
• Must have the ability to learn court policies, procedures, and the practices and rules of operation for the Detention Center.
• Must have the ability to learn defensive tactics, First Aid and CPR, develop good observation skills and the ability to respond to emergency and safety incidences in a proficient manner.
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively and work with a diversity of people, to include varied cultural, ethnic, religious, and socioeconomic backgrounds.

Typically performs duties in a secure institution and may lift a detainee, materials, or equipment of 50 lbs or less. Incumbents are required to stand and walk for at least half of their scheduled work shift and physically required to bend, reach, kneel, crouch, crawl, and stoop.

Do you remember a person you looked up to when you were a youth?
  
Maybe they helped you perfect a skill, taught you how to do something new, or gave the best advice for dealing with disagreements. Experience the fulfillment of helping our youth meet their goals and develop new skills in a therapeutic environment.