Assistant Director - Detention

Pima County; United States; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement plans

Flexible work schedules

Family leave policy

Wellness programs

Educational reimbursement

Job summary

Pima County Juvenile Court is seeking an Assistant Director, Detention to lead safety, security, and welfare of youth in secure custody. This role directs detention programming, policy formulation, and day-to-day operations while partnering with court divisions and stakeholders to meet division goals.

The incumbent will supervise detention staff, drive performance improvements, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with applicable standards and guidelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a behavioral science, business, public or judicial administration, or related field with five years of supervisory experience.
• Master’s degree with three years of supervisory experience.
• Equivalent combination of experience, training, and/or education approved by Human Resources.

Responsibilities

• Supervise detention staff, including detention supervisors and detention officers.
• Collaborate with other court divisions to implement and monitor detention center programs and activities and communicate the goals of the detention division.
• Plan, organize, implement and direct a variety of large-scale detention programs and activities.
• Oversee development, implementation and evaluation of programs and processes with quality assurance and performance-based measures.
• Facilitate planning and review of performance standards, policies, and procedures to meet goals.
• Participate in recruitment and selection, training and development, and performance management of staff.

Skills

Leadership

Data analysis

Communication

Budget administration

Program management

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; 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.

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. You will facilitate strategic planning, policy formulation, and implement plans to achieve division goals, direct the work of detention supervisors, and act in an advisory capacity to the Director, Detention Services. You support the director in achieving departmental objectives and enhancing organizational effectiveness.

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.
• A Master’s degree and three years of professional‑level administrative or supervisory experience.
• 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.

Background Check Requirements

The successful candidate must successfully pass juvenile detention officer post‑offer background check requirements as governed by the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration (ACJA) § 6-106 and § 6-311 (Detention Operations), operating under the statutory authority of A.R.S. § 8-203. Statutory background check processing is cross‑authorized by A.R.S. § 41-1750. The post‑offer background check process includes:

• 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) – 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.
• Conditional offer of employment will include mandatory post‑offer tuberculin screening to confirm candidates are free from infectious TB.

Essential Duties & Functions

• Supervise professional staff to include detention supervisors and detention officers.
• Collaborate with other court divisions to implement and monitor detention center programs and activities and communicate the philosophy and goals of the detention division within the court and to stakeholders.
• Plan, organize, implement and direct a variety of large‑scale or specialty detention programs and activities.
• Oversee 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.
• Facilitate the planning, organizing, and review of performance standards and applicability and accuracy of policies and procedures to enable the division to meet desired goals.
• Formulate effective processes for the evaluation of organizational performance.
• Participate in the recruitment and selection process of new employees; implement training and development, performance evaluation, counseling, and disciplinary processes for assigned employees.
• Analyze and evaluate programs and services for efficiency and effectiveness; recommend new programs and services and modifications to existing programs and services.
• Act on behalf of the Director, Detention Services in his/her absence and may participate in court leadership meetings to represent the division.
• Provide leadership to staff; this includes conducting meetings, setting goals and addressing personnel issues.
• Perform other duties and projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

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

Licenses and Certificates

• Valid Arizona Driver License at time of appointment.

Physical/Sensory Items

• Perform duties in an office environment but visit secured facility for juveniles on a regular basis and may become exposed to 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.
• Vision, hearing, and verbal communication skills sufficient to review information, participate in meetings, and interact with staff and the general public.
• Ability to maintain concentration, make decisions, and manage multiple tasks in a fast‑paced environment.

Benefits

Employees enjoy competitive salaries, generous health insurance coverage, retirement plans, flexible work schedules, a generous family leave policy, wellness programs that prioritize employee well‑being, and opportunities for professional advancement through training programs, workshops, and educational reimbursement. A County‑wide employee recognition program rewards employees who exemplify the County values of accountability, respect, ethics and customer service.