Juvenile Probation Counselor 2 – Probation Unit

Pierce County; Washington; On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Pierce County Juvenile Court in Washington is seeking a Probation Manager to lead staff and drive reform-focused probation practices that center on youth. The role emphasizes evidence-based approaches, collaboration with community partners, and alignment with JDAI strategies to improve outcomes for youth and families.

The successful candidate will balance legal requirements with innovation and a focus on keeping young people at the center of decisions, working closely with judicial officers to

Responsibilities

• Lead probation services in alignment with Juvenile Detention Alternatives Initiative (JDAI) principles.
• Guide staff in evidence-based approaches and community partnership.
• Balance legal requirements with innovation and person-centered decision-making.

Job description

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.

If you want to help move this work forward, prepare young people for successful adulthood, 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.

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