Juvenile Probation Counselor 3 - Dependency

Pierce County; Washington; Presencial; USD 75.000 - 110.000; Jornada completa

Descripción de la vacante

Pierce County Juvenile Court is seeking a Dependency Supervisor to lead staff in applying child- and family-centered approaches within the juvenile justice system. This leadership role emphasizes safety, accountability, and collaborative problem solving.

You will supervise counselors, partner with judicial officers, and help ensure the safety and well‑being of youth and families while balancing reform goals. Travel to assigned locations may be required.

Formación

• Graduation from a four‑year college or university with major course work in social work or related field.
• Two years of work experience at a level equivalent to a Juvenile Probation Counselor 2.
• Graduate coursework substitution allowed for up to one year of experience.
• Attach a resume, cover letter, diploma/transcripts or supporting materials.

Responsabilidades

• Supervises work of an assigned unit of professional juvenile probation counselors.
• Assigns cases, monitors workflow, and evaluates performance.
• Conducts meetings with parents, juvenile offenders, and counselors to resolve disputes.
• Coordinates with social service agencies to arrange treatment plans.
• Interacts with court and community partners to ensure cohesive service delivery.
• Interprets laws, drafts policies, and makes staffing decisions.
• Provides in-house training and develops performance standards.
• Travel to assigned work locations as required.

Educación

Bachelor's degree in social work or related field

Descripción del empleo

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 young person 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.

Why It’s a Great Department

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.

Learn more About Juvenile Court here.

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.

Dependency is focused 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 Dependency Supervisor 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. In addition, the supervisors role is to create a supportive space where their team can raise concerns and get help working through challenges. 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 Supervisor in 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.

The Dependency Division prioritizes 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.

Expectations of the Probation Supervisor include the ability to work in a high‑conflict environment, think critically, challenging assumptions, reduce bias, and advocate based on the needs and values of young people and families. Equally important is being responsive to community needs by supporting the best plans of action that remove obstacles to participation and address child safety for both short term and long term. This work can be emotionally demanding, so maintaining personal wellbeing is important for sustainable success in this role.

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.

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.

Core Daily Responsibilities

• Supervises work of an assigned unit of professional juvenile probation counselors; assigns cases and monitors workflow; assesses performance of the team you supervise; develops job duties and standards of performance; recommends resolution of employee grievances; recommends and executes disciplinary action; develops and provides in‑house training as necessary.
• Investigates more complex case assignments and prepares appropriate court reports; conducts meetings with parents, juvenile offenders and probation counselors to resolve disputes or complaints; contacts other social service agencies to arrange treatment plans.
• Coordinates with court and community partners for the success of Positive Youth Development programs, interns, extra hires, volunteers to ensure cohesive service delivery.
• Confers with administrative superiors to interpret laws and regulations, draft policies and procedures, and make staffing decisions; coordinates with other supervisory personnel to achieve optimum workflow.
• Reviews work of the team for conformance with statutory requirements and internal policies and procedures.
• Conducts performance evaluations and develop performance measures and standards.
• A member of the Juvenile Court Leadership team and supports agency wide initiatives and priorities.
• Performs the work of a Juvenile Probation Counselor 2 and other related work as required.
• Must be able to travel to assigned work locations.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from a four‑year college or university with major course work in social work or human services field, counseling, criminal justice and juvenile systems, social or behavior sciences or related field AND
• Two years of work experience at a level equivalent to a Juvenile Probation Counselor 2 OR
• Substituting, on a month‑for‑month basis, graduate level course work in a discipline directly related to the requirements of the position for a maximum of one year of the experience requirement.
• Attach a resume. cover letter, diploma/transcripts or any other materials you believe support your application, such as evaluations, awards, or certificates. Applications without these attachments may not be considered.

Special Requirements

• A valid driver’s license may be required when travel is required of the position
• As a condition of employment, the applicant will need to authorize and complete a background check and polygraph exam. Information received from the background check is reviewed case‑by‑case and will not necessarily remove an applicant from consideration.