Juvenile Court Manager of Probation Services - Dependency

Pierce County; Washington; On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Pierce County Juvenile Court is seeking a Probation Manager for Dependency to lead staff and guide decisions with a child-centered approach. You will work closely with judicial officers to ensure impartial, ethical conduct, and effective guardianship of youth and families throughout the legal process.

The role emphasizes collaboration with court divisions, community partners, and leadership in developing strengths-based practices that minimize trauma and promote safety and well‑being for youth

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in corrections, social work, management, or closely related field.
• Minimum 5 years in child welfare or juvenile justice and at least 2 years in a supervisory role with compensated staff.
• Additional education in management/supervision preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plans, administers, and coordinates department units, develops objectives and updates procedures to meet changing conditions.
• Evaluates programs against standards and recommends actions.
• Works with judicial officers to align practices with legal direction and authority.
• Leads multiple teams and ensures cohesive service delivery.
• Collaborates with Detention, Probation, Operations, and Clerk’s Office to support integrated practices.
• Manages staff, defines responsibilities, and evaluates performance; approves merit increases and promotions.
• Manages employee grievances and enforces disciplinary actions.
• Oversees staff education, training, and development; provides technical assistance.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team management

Critical thinking

Collaboration

Community outreach

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in corrections, social work, management or related field

Job description

Why It's a Great Opportunity

Pierce County Juvenile Court is known across the country for leading the way in youth justice. The policies, practices, and programs we’ve built are recognized as models for others, and we’re proud of the progress we’ve made. While our reform work has brought positive results, we know more progress is needed. We know the current system doesn’t work the same for everyone. Young people and families continue to face challenges that we must address. We are committed to creating a system that supports every child and family.

Description

Pierce County Juvenile Court is known across the country for leading the way in youth justice. The policies, practices, and programs we’ve built are recognized as models for others, and we’re proud of the progress we’ve made. While our reform work has brought positive results, we know more progress is needed. We know the current system doesn’t work the same for everyone. Young people and families continue to face challenges that we must address. We are committed to creating a system that supports every child and family. If you want to help move this work forward, empowering young people, strengthening families, and support change inside the system and in the community, this role offers that opportunity. Your compassion, active listening, support, empowerment, and advocacy for young people and families will be valued. We welcome your perspective and talents. We believe people and systems can grow, and together we can make a strong impact in the community.

How To Be Successful In The Role

Pierce County Juvenile Court is deeply committed to balancing the safety of young people with the potential harm that can come from removing young people from their families. This work centers on protecting young people while strengthening families, minimizing trauma, and recognizing that how the system responds to harm can shape a young person’s life for years to come. We focus on partnering with extended family, building community support networks, and understanding the complex needs of young people and their families. These approaches help reduce unnecessary family separation and lead to better outcomes for youth and the community. The Probation Manager for Dependency will play a key leadership role in advancing these values. This position guides staff in using child and family-based approaches, with strong impartiality and ethical conduct, to gather all relevant information and make informed recommendations while ensuring the young people and families’ needs are met and they are centered throughout the legal process. 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 for Dependency 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 family and community connection, accountability, and opportunities for young people and families to grow. We prioritize protecting young people by acting with impartiality, integrity, and strong ethical practice. These values help us stay focused on the facts, understand real safety concerns, and avoid decisions influenced by bias or outside pressures. By approaching each situation with honesty, professionalism, and respect for the rights and dignity of every young person, we ensure our recommendations truly support their immediate safety and long‑term well‑being. 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.

Our Guiding Leadership 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.
• W e 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.

Your Future In This Role

As the justice and child welfare systems 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 dependency’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, Guardian ad Litems, Therapeutic Courts, Court Improvement, and Volunteers, ensuring cohesive service delivery and consistent adherence to departmental standards.
• Collaborates closely with key areas of Pierce County Juvenile Court—Detention, Probation, 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.

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 creating a welcoming environment with broad access to opportunity at every stage of employment. We aim to recruit, develop, and retain a workforce with a wide range of experiences and perspectives, all dedicated to serving our community. County employees make a visible impact across Pierce County. Join us in keeping Pierce County a great place to live, work, and raise a family.

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 child welfare or 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.