Juvenile Detention Program Coordinator

Job Description Summary

The Pima County Juvenile Court is seeking a dedicated professional to coordinate quality assurance, PREA compliance, and juvenile rights initiatives within Juvenile Detention. This position works closely with detention leadership, staff, and community partners to ensure safe, effective, and compliant operations while promoting the well-being and rights of youth in a secure detention environment.

Job Description

The incumbent supports Juvenile Detention in developing and implementing quality assurance measures for detention programs, improving operational strategies and processes, ensuring juvenile rights compliance, and assisting with investigations and facility inspections. The role serves as a liaison with volunteers, outside service providers, and detention supervisors to support effective program delivery and consistent policy and procedure implementation.

The position coordinates and oversees all Pima County Juvenile Court Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) efforts for Juvenile Detention, ensuring facility safety and compliance with PREA standards. Responsibilities include creating, implementing, and monitoring policies and procedures to prevent, detect, and respond to incidents of sexual abuse and sexual harassment.

Hiring Range: $59.384.00 - $65,312.00

Range Explanation: 

Hiring Range is an estimate of where you can receive an offer. The actual salary offer will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, training, and internal equity.

This is an on-site position

No relocation assistance will be provided

Distinguishing Characteristics:  

This is a classified position that reports to the Director of Juvenile Court Services/Designee. This incumbent performs under limited supervision and may direct the work projects and/or assignments of other detention staff, volunteers, and representatives from contract agencies.

Minimum Qualifications: 

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in behavioral or social sciences, criminal justice, social work, psychology, public or business administration, organizational development, or a related field; and 3-5 years of experience in a juvenile justice setting (such as juvenile detention or juvenile probation), including experience in compliance audits, and evaluation of policies and procedures; OR any equivalent combination of experience, training, and/or education approved by Human Resources.

 A minimum of 21 years of age.

The successful candidate must have, or will be, required to successfully pass the post-offer background check requirements as governed by the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration (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 outlined below:  

Before an applicant can begin service, the Juvenile court must execute a rigorous character and fitness investigation mandated by A.R.S. 8-203

• 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 examination and a physical fitness certification for duty.     
• Health Testing: A conditional offer of employment will include mandatory post-offer tuberculosis screening to confirm candidates are free from infectious Tuberculosis (TB). 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Social Work, Organizational Leadership, or a related field.
• Experience coordinating PREA compliance programs and preparing for or participating in PREA audits.
• Experience conducting administrative investigations involving staff misconduct, juvenile rights complaints, or detention operations.
• Experience developing and implementing quality assurance, performance measurement, and compliance monitoring systems.
• Experience creating, implementing, and monitoring policies and procedures.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams, facilitating organizational change initiatives, or managing complex cross-departmental projects in a juvenile justice or public sector environment.

Essential Duties & Functions:  

Quality Assurance and Compliance 

• Conduct quality assurance audits and lead improvement activities for detention programs, operational processes, and juvenile rights compliance.
• Create and monitor quality assurance measures related to juvenile disciplinary actions, detainee status assignments, and use-of-force reviews.
• Review administrative reports, proposed/adopted statutes, regulations, and recommendations to determine impacts on detention operations.
• Conduct audits and review detention files and records to ensure compliance with departmental, state, and applicable standards.
• Collaborate with detention administration in preparation for operational reviews and external audits.

PREA Coordination 

• Serve as the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) Coordinator and oversee PREA compliance efforts for Juvenile Detention.

• Develop, implement, review policies and procedures, and prepare reports recommending changes to policies that support PREA standards and facility safety. 

• Design and deliver PREA training for staff and youth on prevention, detection, and response to sexual abuse and harassment. 

• Coordinate responses to allegations of sexual abuse and harassment, ensuring investigations and corrective actions are completed appropriately. 

• Regularly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of PREA practices and adjust procedures as necessary to enhance compliance and safety. 

• Prepare and submit PREA compliance reports and incident documentation to facility leadership and oversight bodies. 

• Provide resources and support for victims of sexual abuse or harassment and ensure transparent communication about PREA-related concerns. 

Juvenile Rights Compliance 

• Serve as the Juvenile Rights Compliance Officer and ensure clear procedures and communication related to youth rights. 

• Facilitate quality improvement efforts to maintain compliance with juvenile rights requirements. 

• Ensure youth have meaningful opportunities to exercise their rights. 

• Oversee the collection, tracking, and processing of youth grievances. 

• Identify and resolve issues related to juvenile rights and ensure adherence to legal determinations and court decisions. 

Investigations and Operational Support 

• Conduct investigations into alleged staff misconduct, juvenile rights violations, and other matters assigned by the Director of Juvenile Court Services/designee. 

• Collaborate with detention supervisors, volunteers, and external providers to coordinate and schedule detention activities. 

• Work with information technology staff to develop data collection systems for detention activities and performance measurement. 

Additional Responsibilities/Duties: 

• Engages in continuous professional development to stay current on evolving juvenile justice practices, PREA standards, and regulatory requirements.  

• Actively seeks training and learning opportunities to enhance job knowledge and program effectiveness. 

• Participate in detention leadership meetings to review goals, progress, and operational issues requiring attention. 

• Maintain accurate records, reports, tracking systems, data collection, and outcome measures related to assigned duties. 

• Monitor the incident reporting process to ensure consistent and standardized reporting methods across the division. 

• Foster effective communication between Detention and other divisions, departments, and external entities to support coordinated operations. 

• Demonstrates genuine concern for the well-being of youth and commitment to maintaining a safe environment. 

• Upholds high ethical standards and professionalism in all job responsibilities. 

• Ensures all documentation, reporting, and procedures are accurate, thorough, and compliant with standards. 

• Identifies and addresses issues effectively, particularly those related to PREA compliance and sexual abuse prevention. 

• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Demonstrates a working knowledge of juvenile court operations, detention and probation programs, and all applicable statutes, codes, regulations, guidelines, and standards. 

• Knowledge of social and rehabilitative case management principles and practices, including counseling, interviewing, and investigation techniques. 

• Knowledge of the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. 

• In‑depth knowledge of PREA standards, regulations, and best practices for preventing and responding to sexual abuse in juvenile facilities. 

• Understands quality assurance and improvement programs design and intent. 

• Effective performance management, project management, and the planning, implementation, and monitoring of programs, procedures, and services. 

• Strong organizational, time management, research, problem‑solving, and relationship‑building skills; provides effective presentations and training. 

• Proficient communication skills for working with diverse groups, including judges, management and staff, volunteers, visitors, community agencies, detention staff, youth in detention, and individuals at the local, state, and national levels. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint, and the ability to learn in‑house software programs such as JOLTs AZ, AGAVE, and JusticeTools. 

• Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism. 

• Ability to manage multiple diverse tasks simultaneously in a fast‑paced environment. 

Licenses and Certificates:  

• Preferred Certification: PREA Auditor certification. 

• Must have a valid Arizona Driver’s License at time of appointment. 

• Must meet and maintain all background check and clearance requirements necessary for work in a juvenile facility. 

Physical/Sensory Items: 

Typically perform duties in an office environment and may lift materials and/or equipment 20 lbs. or less. The role requires frequent walking within a secure facility, standing for extended periods, and navigating stairs. Incumbent must be able to respond quickly to incidents, maintain visual and auditory attention, and occasionally bend, reach, or kneel during inspections or investigations. 

Work occurs in a secure juvenile detention environment with potential exposure to loud noise, disruptive behavior, and emotionally charged situations. Must adhere to strict safety, security, and confidentiality protocols and be able to maintain professionalism under stress.

This role may require occasional travel to external meetings and training, working evenings, weekends, and on-call hours to respond to incidents and ensure continuous compliance with PREA standards.

Important Notice Regarding Multiple Applications:

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.

Benefits Information:

We offer exceptional benefits

• Retirement Plan
• Vacation, holidays, and sick leave
• 100% paid parental leave
• Employer-paid Short -term Disability
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Health Wellness discount program
• Mental and Behavioral Health Benefits
• Paid Training with Advancement Opportunities
• Upon yearly anniversary, 56 hours of sick time accrued, less usage, may be rolled over to vacation time.

The Arizona Superior Court in Pima County and the Pima County Juvenile Court Center offer the same benefits as those offered to other employees working for Pima County. We offer a competitive benefits package to benefits-eligible employees, which includes medical, dental, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, paid vacation and sick leave. Some benefits require contributions by employees in addition to contributions made by the employer. Please see the link below for a complete description of the offerings.

Pima County Benefits

Retirement Plan participation is mandatory for all eligible employees to include a mandatory pre-tax pay deduction. Current rates can be viewed here:  

ASRS Contribution Rates

Full-time employees of government organizations may be able to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.  For more information click Student Loan Forgiveness | Federal Student Aid. 

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status, political interest, or any other characteristic or category protected by local, state, or federal law.