YOUTH PROGRAM OFFICER 2/RECREATION

State of Arizona; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 45,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

Retirement plans

Public holidays

Vacation time

Sick leave

Deferred compensation

Wellness programs

Job summary

The State of Arizona's Department of Juvenile Corrections is seeking a Youth Program Officer 2 (Recreation) to lead and supervise recreational activities for juveniles at Adobe Mountain School in Phoenix. This role emphasizes safety, program development, and staff leadership.

Responsibilities include planning and directing flag football, basketball, aquatics, and other fitness programs while ensuring youth engagement, proper equipment use, and adherence to agency policies.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of agency rules, policies and procedures established by the agency and the state juvenile justice system
• Understanding developmental needs and crisis intervention for youth
• Ability to plan, develop and evaluate recreational programs
• Experience supervising youth activities preferred

Responsibilities

• Supervises, teaches and officiates youth sports and recreation activities
• Plans, implements and evaluates recreational programs
• Maintains safety and discipline in recreation areas and during activities
• Instructs new recreation staff on programs and safety procedures
• Ensures equipment, facilities are clean and properly maintained

Skills

Interpersonal relationships

Verbal and written communication

Assessing needs of youth

Motivate and maintain youth interests

Ability to implement safety protocols

Job description

DEPT OF JUVENILE CORRECTIONS

Our vision is to make Arizona’s community safer by delivering effective rehabilitative services to the young people entrusted to our care.
The mission of the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections is to provide the young people in our care with evidence-based rehabilitative services that enhance their well-being and equip them with the skills and resources they need to thrive as successful members of society.

Youth Program Officer 2/Recreation

Job Location:

Address: 2800 W Pinnacle Peak Rd, Phoenix, Arizona 85027

Posting Details:

Salary: $44,900 - 53,361*

*Salary based on experience

Grade: DJ18A

Closing Date: 11/5/26

Job Summary:

The Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC) is seeking internal ADJC employees/applicants who are passionate about their profession and who will be committed to making a difference in the lives of Arizona’s underserved youth. The Youth Program Officer 2 (Recreation) will work under the direction of the Youth Program Supervisor at our Adobe Mountain School. This position is accountable for maintaining safety and security for all youth and staff. Additionally, this position is responsible for managing and leading recreational programs and activities to include athletics and physical fitness.

Job Duties:

Supervises, teaches and officiates flag football, basketball, aquatics, weight training, softball, volleyball, etc.
Plans, implements and officiates special events
Develops, monitors and evaluates recreational programs
Utilizes verbal and no-verbal physical intervention strategies
Supervises youth who use the aquatic area
Develop, monitor and evaluate recreation activities
Instruct “new” recreation staff on the various sports programs
Ensures all recreation equipment and facilities are maintained in a clean, safe and orderly condition and orders all recreation equipment
Ensures unit staff are in proper position during all recreation classes and activities
Attends required agency training
Performing other duties as assigned

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

Knowledge of:
Rules and regulations, policies and procedures, programs and activities established by the agency
State juvenile justice system
Developmental needs
Dynamics of human behavior and crisis intervention
Group social activities
Facilities and equipment used in a broad recreation program
Skills in:
Assessing needs of youth
Providing constructive social adjustment programs
Techniques and methods of rehabilitation
Recreational programs/activities
Interpersonal relationships
Verbal and written communication
Ability to:
Interpret and apply Federal and State laws, rules and regulations, and Agency’s policies and procedures governing the security, care and treatment of youth
Effectively communicates with youth and coworkers
Analyze situations and take effective actions
Motivate and maintain youth interests in recreational programs and activities
Teach/demonstrate proper techniques for athletic and sports activities
Use the appropriate agency restraint techniques
Work in extreme heat
Adhere to a daily schedule and follow expected guidelines
Act quickly and calmly to emergency situations
Recognize non-verbal communication
Be a “self-starter” and work independently to ensure recreation tasks are accomplished consistently
Continuously strive to make improvements to work performance

Pre-Employment Requirements:

Internal Applicants: One year of experience as a Youth Corrections Officer; or two years of experience working with juveniles in a human/social services field; with a Letter of Recommendation signed by the direct supervisor and up-line manager.

External Applicants:One year of experience as a Youth Corrections Officer; or two years of experience working with juveniles in a human/social services field

REQUIRED: Lifeguard and Certified Pool Operator Certification or the ability to obtain the certification within six months of hire.
If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function on the job, then the following requirements apply. Any employee operating a motor vehicle on State business must possess and retain a current, valid class-appropriate driver’s license, complete all required training, and successfully pass all necessary driver’s license records checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked or suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver’s license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all driver training. An employee who operates a personally owned vehicle on state business shall maintain the statutorily required liability insurance (see Arizona Administrative Code (A.A.C.) R2-10-207.010).
Employment is contingent on the selected applicant passing a comprehensive background investigation and pre-employment screenings.
Current State of Arizona employees: In order to be considered for this position, it requires acceptable performance history as demonstrated by not have been issued a letter of suspension or have been involuntarily demoted within one year preceding this job posting close date, and have an overall rating of “meets expectations” or higher on the most recent employee performance evaluation.

All newly hired State employees are subject to and must successfully complete the Electronic Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-Verify).

Benefits:

The State of Arizona provides an excellent comprehensive benefits package including:
Affordable medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and short-term disability plans
Top-ranked retirement and long-term disability plans
10 paid holidays per year
Vacation time accrued at 4.00 hours bi-weekly for the first 3 years
Sick time accrued at 3.42 hours bi-weekly
Deferred Compensation Program
Wellness Plans

Learn more about the Paid Parental Leave pilot programhere. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

Retirement:

Youth Program Officer 2 positions participate in the Corrections Officer Retirement Plan (CORP).
CORP Tier 3 is a Defined Contribution, 401 (a) retirement plan:
New members have the opportunity to define their contribution amount
Employer contributes a dollar-for-dollar match equal to 5% of a member's salary
Employees are fully vested after 3 years of service
Attention Current State of Arizona Employees: Please contact our Human Resources Office if you are in a different retirement plan than the one indicated above.

Contact Us:

The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request reasonable accommodation such as a sign language interpreter or an alternative format by calling [phone]. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.