Assistant Director - Detention

Pima County; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Pima County Juvenile Court is seeking an Assistant Director, Detention, to oversee safety, security and welfare of youth in secure custody. You will provide direction for detention center functions, program operations, and policy implementation within the Detention Division.

The role requires advanced leadership, knowledge of juvenile detention care, and the ability to collaborate across court divisions to meet division goals and ensure high standards of operation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree with 5 years of admin or supervisory experience, preferably in a court organization, OR Master's degree with 3 years of admin or supervisory experience, OR equivalent combination.
• Must be able to pass background checks and meet professional standards.

Responsibilities

• Supervise detention staff including detention supervisors and officers.
• Collaborate with other court divisions to implement detention programs and communicate goals to stakeholders.
• Plan and direct large-scale detention programs and activities.
• Develop and evaluate programs and processes with performance-based measures.
• Recruit, train, evaluate, and discipline assigned staff as needed.
• Lead staff meetings, set goals, and address personnel issues; represent division when needed.

Education

Bachelor's degree in behavioral science, business, public or judicial administration, or related field

Master's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description Summary

Open Until Filled with 1st screening date July 13, 2026

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.

Job Description

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.

Post‑off‑er Background Check Process

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 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‑off‑er tuberculin screening to confirm candidates are free from infectious TB.

Essential Duties & Functions

• Supervises professional staff to include detention supervisors and detention officers.
• Collaborates with other court divisions to implement and monitor detention center programs and activities and communicates the philosophy and goals of the detention division within the court and to stakeholders.
• Plans, organizes, implements and directs a variety of large‑scale or specialty detention programs and activities.
• Oversees the development, implementation and evaluation of programs and processes in work units and shift operations, including quality assurance and quality improvement of programs and implementation of performance‑based measures.
• Facilitates the planning, organizing, and review of performance standards and applicability and accuracy of policies and procedures to enable the division to meet desired goals.
• Formulates effective processes for the evaluation of organizational performance.
• Participates in the recruitment and selection process of new employees, the implementation of training and development, performance evaluation, counseling, and disciplinary processes for assigned employees.
• Analyzes and evaluates programs and services for efficiency and effectiveness.
• Recommends new programs and services and modifications to existing programs and services.
• Acts on behalf of the Director, Detention Services in his/her absence and may participate in court leadership meetings to represent the division.
• Provides leadership to staff; this includes conducting meetings, setting goals and addressing personnel issues.
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Must have knowledge of management and administrative responsibilities such as goal setting, performance management, project management, planning and delivering technical support services.
• Must have considerable knowledge of the principals of psychology, juvenile justice, social sciences related to youths, ACA Standards, OJJDP, AOC Operational Guidelines, and best practices for juvenile detention care.
• Must have knowledge of detention and probation functions, policies, practices, procedures, and court operations.
• Must have knowledge, skill and the ability to identify, mobilize, and develop therapeutic engagement programs and processes.
• Must have knowledge and skill in the principles and practices of effective leadership, supervision, employee development, team building, and administrative duties, such as budget and program administration.
• Must have the skills to operate a desktop computer and work with Microsoft Office software.
• Must have the ability to gather and analyze data, prepare analytical reports, provide information in a presentation format, and offer objective solutions.
• Must have the ability to communicate effectively, in writing and orally, with a wide variety of court employees including judges and staff, court administration and directors, detainees and families, community agencies, and the general public.

Licenses And Certificates

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

Physical/Sensory Items

• Typically performs duties in an office environment but visits secured facility for juveniles on a regular basis and may become exposed to associated hazards.
• Ability to sit, stand, walk, and perform routine office or supervisory tasks.
• Ability to lift and carry materials or equipment up to 20 lbs.
• Ability to perform basic reaching, bending, and standard keyboarding or document‑handling tasks.
• Sufficient vision, hearing, and verbal communication skills to review information, participate in meetings, and interact with staff and the public.
• Ability to maintain concentration, make decisions, and manage multiple tasks in a fast‑paced environment.