Juvenile Court Manager of Probation Services

Pierce County; Washington; On-site; USD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Pierce County Juvenile Court is seeking a Probation Manager to lead staff, implement evidence-based strategies, and collaborate with judicial officers to improve youth outcomes. This role focuses on fair access, community partnerships, and reform initiatives within the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative framework.

The position requires a Bachelor’s degree in a related field, 5 years in juvenile justice with 2 years supervisory experience, and readiness to travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree with course work in corrections, social work, management or closely related field.
• Minimum 5 years in juvenile justice, including at least 2 years in a supervisory role.
• Additional management training or education preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plans, administers, and coordinates department activities; updates procedures to meet changing conditions.
• Evaluates performance against standards and recommends actions as appropriate.
• Collaborates with judicial officers to ensure alignment with legal direction and authority.
• Leads multiple teams, providing cohesive service delivery and consistent standards.
• Builds partnerships with Detention, Dependency, Operations, and Clerk’s Office for integrated practices.
• Oversees budgeting, staffing plans, and program expenditures within the assigned budget.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic thinking

People management

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in corrections or related field

Job description

Summary

Pierce County Juvenile Court is a national leader in youth justice. Many of our policies, practices, and programs are recognized across the country. We are committed to improving outcomes for the whole community by working closely with young people and families. While our reform work has brought positive results, we know more progress is needed. Parts of the current system create wide-ranging differences in outcomes for children and families, especially those who have not been well served in the past.

Why It's a Great Opportunity

Pierce County Juvenile Court is a national leader in youth justice. Many of our policies, practices, and programs are recognized across the country. We are committed to improving outcomes for the whole community by working closely with young people and families. While our reform work has brought positive results, we know more progress is needed. Parts of the current system create wide-ranging differences in outcomes for children and families, especially those who have not been well served in the past.

Why It's a Great Department

Pierce County Juvenile Court is an innovative leader in the youth justice field. It is home to where reform policies, practices, and programs are nationally recognized. Pierce County Juvenile Court was one of two sites in the nation to be selected to pursue Probation Transformation in partnership with the Annie E. Casey Foundation. The Juvenile Court system is proud to be a national leader in working with young people and families to address systemic racism and improve outcomes for all people in our community. Even with the successes in our reform journey, we know that there is more work to do as the structure of our current system is designed to produce disparate outcomes for BIPOC children and families, as well as marginalized communities .

Your passion for leading with compassion, listening, supporting, empowering, and providing resources and advocacy to young people and families will be valued here. We welcome and embrace your diverse perspective and talents. We believe people and systems can change, and together, we will make a powerful impact in the community.

Our Guiding Principles

• We Practice Gratitude: We put relationships first and show appreciation for others.
• We Value Differences: We respect a wide range of opinions, cultures, and experiences.
• We Maintain a Growth Mindset: We focus on effort, perseverance, and helpful feedback.
• We Choose Courage Over Comfort: We face challenges and difficult conversations with care, and support one another.
• We Practice Authenticity: We are genuine, speak truthfully, and seek to understand experiences different from our own.

How To Be Successful In The Role

Pierce County Juvenile Court is strongly committed to the principles of the Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI). This work centers on fair access, strong community partnership, and practices that match the developmental needs of young people. These approaches help reduce the use of detention and improve outcomes for youth and families.

The Probation Manager will play a key leadership role in advancing these values. This position guides staff in using evidence-based approaches, building collaboration with community partners, and ensuring probation services align with JDAI’s core strategies. The work is done in close partnership with a dedicated group of judicial officers who operate under case law and statute. As a result, the Probation Manager must balance legal requirements with innovation, consistency, and practices that keep young people at the center of decision-making.

Together, this leader and the court’s judicial and management team will support a system that prioritizes rehabilitation, accountability, and opportunities for youth to grow.

You will prioritize the safety and security of youth and staff by using effective behavior-management and de-escalation skills. Responding to situations with awareness of difficult experiences and with compassion will support success in this role.

You must be able to work in a high-conflict environment while staying focused on strengths and helping cases move forward. You will think critically, challenge assumptions, reduce bias, and advocate based on the needs and values of young people and families. You must be responsive to community needs and communicate persuasively. You will respond to situations with awareness of difficult experiences and with practices that remove obstacles to participation. This work can be emotionally demanding, so maintaining personal wellbeing is important for long‑term success in child welfare.

Your Future In This Role

As the justice system continues to evolve, we welcome forward‑thinking, creative, and compassionate people who thrive in fast‑changing, innovative environments.

This position offers opportunities for professional development, leadership, and training. You will also build connections with partners in child welfare, education, mental health, community supports, substance‑use treatment, economic‑stability services, and other areas affecting young people and families.

Strategic Responsibilities And Values

You should be adaptable, forward‑thinking, attentive to community needs, and compassionate while supporting the safety and wellbeing of young people under Juvenile Court jurisdiction. You will help advance our vision of a safe, connected community where all young people and families are encouraged to build on their strengths and reach their potential. You will help instill hope by setting goals, identifying paths forward, and believing in the possibility of change.

Core Daily Responsibilities

• Plans, administers, and coordinates the activities of department units, develops program objectives and operational goals, updates procedures and existing guidelines as necessary to meet changing conditions.
• Evaluates individual and program accomplishments against established standards, goals, and timetables, and recommends remedial, motivational, or laudatory action as appropriate.
• Works collaboratively with the judicial officers assigned to Juvenile Court, advocating for probation’s needs and perspectives while ensuring practices, recommendations, and decisions align with the legal direction and authority of judges and commissioners.
• Manages and provides leadership to multiple teams, including Juvenile Probation Counselors, Case Monitors, the Diversion Coordinator, Extra-Hire staff, interns, and volunteers, ensuring cohesive service delivery and consistent adherence to departmental standards.
• Collaborates closely with key areas of Pierce County Juvenile Court—Detention, Dependency, Operations, and the Clerk’s Office to support integrated practices, shared priorities, and effective communication across the organization.
• Plans, assigns, reviews, and evaluates the work of subordinate employees; defines responsibility and authority of subordinate positions and establishes standards of performance; recommends merit step increases; recommends promotional actions.
• Recommends resolution of employee grievances at the department level; recommends and executes disciplinary actions.
• Plans and implements in-service staff education, training and development; provides technical assistance with extremely complex or atypical problems.
• Prepares budget requests and amendments; approves and controls program expenditures in line with assigned budget.
• Communicates program objectives and goals to interested community groups, the general public, and other governmental agencies.
• May serve in place of the Juvenile Court Deputy Court Executive when that person is absent.
• Performs related work as required.
• Willingness to assume statewide leadership role(s) per Deputy Court Executive directives.
• Develops, maintains, and oversees community partnerships.
• Must be able to travel to assigned work locations.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found here.

Our Recruitment Practices

This is a competitive and meritorious selection process. Pierce County applications are reviewed by human hiring staff in accordance with the qualifications listed for the position. Pierce County Juvenile Court understands applicants may use AI tools when preparing application materials. We recognize these tools can make the process easier; however, we ask that everything you submit genuinely reflects your own experience, skills, knowledge, and writing style.

During the interview process, you may be asked to demonstrate your skills, including writing and subject knowledge, and to speak to your experience in your own voice. Applicants should be prepared to respond to interview questions without relying on AI-generated responses or reading prepared answers from a screen. Any misrepresentation may result in disqualification or separation.

Applicants whose qualifications most closely align with the County’s needs will be eligible for further consideration. Notification of application status typically occurs within two to three weeks after the closing date. Some applicants may receive short notice to participate in additional selection steps, which may include assessments, phone screens, or interviews.

Upon offer, compensation is based on a range of job-related factors, including the requirements of the role, your skills and experience, and internal pay equity.

Our Welcoming Workplace Commitment

Pierce County is committed to fostering a Welcoming Workplace where employees are supported, respected, and able to thrive. We believe a strong public workforce is representative of the community it serves and that fair and just access to opportunity strengthens public service.

Guided by the County Executive’s Forward Together mission, Pierce County works to build communities that are safe, welcoming, and connected. This same commitment shapes how we recruit, develop, and retain our employees. County employees make a direct and visible impact in the lives of residents every day, and we invite you to join us in helping keep Pierce County a place people are proud to call home.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor’s Degree with course work in corrections, social work, management or a closely related field; and
• At least 5 years experience in the juvenile justice field and at least 2 years of which must have been in a supervisory position, in which compensated employees were supervised.
• Additional education in management and supervision is preferred.
• Must complete the first line supervisor and management training at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission prior to completion of the first year in service.
• Additional education and experience may substitute for these requirements.

Special Requirements

• A valid Washington State driver’s license.
• Successful completion of a Pierce County background investigation and polygraph exam before employment.

We cannot sponsor employment visas at this time.

We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.