Posting Date

11/18/25

Application Deadline

11/23/25

Pay Range

Min - 1st Quartile - Mid - Max
$31.50 - $34.13 - $36.75 - $42.00

Candidates will be compensated at a rate of $32.97 per hour. Placement at a higher salary rate within the range may be considered depending on prior comparable, directly related, equivalent experience.

This position is non-exempt under the FLSA

Job Type

Classified – Judicial JMR

Department

Adult Probation

About the Position

The Adult Probation Officer provides casework services to probationers at the direction of the Superior Court under the provisions of evidence-based practices and consistent with the Arizona Code of Judicial Administration. The duties of an Adult Probation Officer include supervising the caseloads of assigned probationers, meeting with probationers in their homes or at their places of work, conducting interviews and social or pre-sentence investigations, evaluating probationers' progress, performing searches, and making arrests. Probation Officers coach individuals under their supervision, teach problem-solving skills, and foster professional relationships that help to reduce recidivism. Probation Officers implement the use of risk-reduction strategies and other evidence-based practices in their supervision to encourage long-term, positive behavioral change.

 

Candidates will be required to have a complete pre-employment background/reference check, polygraph and psychological examination.  Probation Officers participate in the Public Safety Personnel Retirement System (PSPRS).

 

For an overview of the Adult Probation department, click HERE! ​

To see what our Adult Probation Officers love about their job, click HERE!

For Adult Probation Officer Frequently Asked Questions, click HERE!

 

*****SIGN-ON INCENTIVE - $1,500 AFTER 6 MONTHS AND $1,500 AFTER 18 MONTHS!*****

About the Adult Probation Department:
The Adult Probation Department of the Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County is dedicated to providing a safe, fair and impartial forum for resolving disputes, enhancing access to our services, and providing innovative, evidenced-based practices that improve the safety of our community and ensure the public’s trust and confidence in the Judicial Branch. Join our nationally recognized Adult Probation Department and become part of an award-winning agency of professionals committed to enhancing community safety through service, accountability, and influencing change.

 

Position Qualifications:

We recognize your time is valuable, so please apply if you meet the following required qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or University

 

Other Requirements:

• Twenty-one (21) years of age by time of hire.
• Must be a US Citizen or Legal Resident of the United States of America.
• Must possess or can obtain by the time of hire, a valid Arizona driver license.
• Completion of the 40-hour Defensive Tactics Training Academy no more than 120 days from the date of employment. (As described in the “Working Conditions”).
• Completion of the Probation Certification Academy and Intensive Probation Institute, if assigned, within the first twelve (12) months of employment ACJA 6-107(F).
• Submission to a medical examination required by Correctional Officer Retirement Plan.
• Successfully complete eight (8) hours of defensive tactics refresher training on an annual basis and maintain certificate of successful completion of defensive tactics training.

 

Our Preferred Candidate has experience with: 

• The principles and practices of social and correctional casework, interviewing and counseling.
• The criminal justice system and community resources.
• Principles of human behavior and evidence-based practices in community corrections.
• Diversion, Standard and Juvenile and/or Adult Intensive Probation and community supervision.
• Principles and practices of pre-sentence investigations and case load management.  

 

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

Knowledge of:

• Effective time management and organization techniques

Skill in:

• Self-control, patience, initiative, courtesy, tact and diplomacy
• Interviewing, motivating and establishing interpersonal relationships
• Critical analysis of individuals and situations to problem solve and make sound decisions
• Effective oral and written communication in English with individuals of varying educational levels

Ability to:

• Maintain effective relationships with diverse populations
• Demonstrate professional behavior and ethical standards of conduct
• Apply principles and methods of correctional casework
• Plan and manage multiple assignments efficiently and effectively

 

Essential Job Tasks:

(This is not an all-inclusive list of all job duties that may be required; employees will be required to perform other related duties as assigned.)

• Coaches probationers on cognitive behavioral and problem-solving skills for the purposes of upholding the conditions of probation while simultaneously working to reduce future criminal behavior.
• Conducts accurate assessments to identify risk and needs and develops individualized case plans focusing on risk reduction. 
• Conducts meaningful field visits, (home, work, treatment facilities, community restitution or jail), office visits and breathalyzer/urinalysis in order to employ appropriate risk reduction strategies based upon assessment results.
• Obtains, assembles, secures, keeps and files a complete identification record concerning the probationer; including arrest reports, contact notes regarding compliance with conditions of probation and case plans. 
• Maintains the confidentiality of case records and information as required. 
• Builds relationships to encourage compliance with the case plan, including conditions of probation, through frequent telephone contacts, work site contacts, day and evening home contacts.
• Works with probationers by using targeted interventions in order to help build skills in areas connected to criminogenic risk which encourage long-term, positive behavioral change.
• Participates in case review conferences to determine if change in level of supervision is warranted.
• Directs and refers probationers to community resources such as treatment centers or other agencies based on observation of activities, assessments, behavior, and conditions of probation. 
• Monitors payment of restitution and probation fees and ensures victims' notification rights are provided according to statutory requirements.
• Investigates alleged violations of probation, conducts searches, makes a documented effort to locate absconders and effects arrests, if warranted.
• Prepares a variety of electronic and written reports, to include pre-sentence/pre-trial reports and violation reports; testifies at court hearings.
• Collaborates, cooperates and maintains contact with stakeholders, including other social and law enforcement agencies, to further rehabilitative and/or public safety goals.
• Establishes and maintains effective relationships with other team members, probationers, community partners, and the public.
• Maintains attendance and training standards.

 

Working conditions: 

Must have the ability to operate a variety of equipment necessary to perform job duties such as motor vehicles, computers, telephones, radios, handcuffs, body armor and other equipment depending on case assignments. Must possess independent body mobility to stand, walk, bend and sit for prolonged periods of time and/ or drive a vehicle; the manual dexterity necessary to reach, grasp, hand write, and use a computer; vision sufficient to see and read; hearing and speech sufficient to communicate in person and over the phone; the ability to withstand varying weather temperatures; the ability to lift, drag, push and carry items of various weight up to 50 pounds.

Probation Officers have the authority of Peace Officers in the performance of his/her duties per A.R.S. 12-253.3 and can thus serve warrants, make arrests, and bring persons before the court who are under suspended sentences.  Because probationers under court supervision are convicted felons and/or persons with domestic violence convictions, these job duties expose probation officers to a risk of being assaulted by probationers, family members and others in proximity to the probationers. Officers must be able to recognize and handle confrontational situations using defensive tactics and techniques, when necessary. For these reasons, the probation officer position is designated as a safety-sensitive position in accordance with ACJA § 6-106(A) and ACJA § 6- 107(A). All probation officers must "demonstrate, by proficiency testing, competency and understanding of the physical and verbal techniques and tactics presented at the defensive tactics training academy." ACJA § 6-107(G)(1)(b). The proficiency testing is based upon whether they can perform the skills or tactics (or comparable alternatives) necessary for self-defense.  Therefore, those selected for the position must successfully complete 40-hour Defensive Tactics Training Academy as soon as practical, but no later than 120 days from the date of employment.

The Defensive Tactics Training Academy requires that a Probation Officer performs and demonstrates through proficiency testing, competency in, and an understanding of physical and verbal defensive tactics and techniques, including the following, or their comparable alternatives:

• Forcefully raise arms above head (straight arm wristlock and takedown).
• Perform minor aerobic activity.
• Stand for up to 2 hours at a time.
• Engage in balanced movements.
• Throw hand strikes (fist strikes and palm heel strikes).
• Use impact weapons (ability to swing arms in a striking action with a baton that weighs 16 ounces).
• Kick at targets below 24" (front snap kicks).
• Perform controlled falls and return to standing position unassisted (break falls and recovery).
• Complete hand strikes and kick drills at partial speed.
• Sustain exposure to Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray.
• Engage in fighting techniques while on the ground.
• Be able to bend knees, lower center and touch the ground with one hand (break fall recovery and baton closing technique).
• Be able to bend knees to a 45-degree angle (all ground techniques).

The person(s) selected will make 60% to 80% of their client contacts in the field.  These various geographic locations throughout Maricopa County may be inaccessible by public transportation.  Must possess a valid Arizona driver license. Officers will be reimbursed for the authorized use of a private vehicle, employees must provide proof of insurance.

Selection Procedure - Maricopa County

The Maricopa County Human Resources Department reserves the right to admit to the selection process only those candidates considered to be the most highly qualified. Those selected will be assessed based on the evaluation of listed education and experience. The hiring authority will interview and select the successful candidate from a list provided by Human Resources.

All offers of employment made to new hires and rehires at Maricopa County are contingent upon successful completion of a post-offer, pre-employment thorough background investigation. A background investigation is conducted on a current employee who changes to a Safety Sensitive Position or one having the potential for serious adverse impact on the integrity or efficiency of the County. These requirements do not pertain to employees of elected officials who undergo background investigation processes administered through their respective offices.

Maricopa County is an EEO/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer.  

Apply Now!

Attention Current Maricopa County Employees: As of 1/1/2022, the Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County formalized itself as a separate entity and employer from Maricopa County. To learn more about how that may affect you please click here.

Judicial Branch Human Resources reserves the right to move forward candidates based on the information provided directly on the application. The hiring authority will select the successful candidate based on departmental needs. 

Typically, successful candidates are hired at a salary rate up to the midpoint of the range, based on applicable experience, internal equity, and budgetary allowances. 

All Judicial Branch offers of employment and continued employment are contingent upon passing a thorough background and/or fingerprint check. Applicants must completely and fully answer any questions regarding felony and misdemeanor convictions including any convictions that have been expunged or set aside. Failure to include criminal history information is grounds for termination of an offer and employment. A conviction may not automatically disqualify an applicant. 

Judicial Branch facilities are located throughout Maricopa County.  This position may be reassigned to other locations.  Assignments will be made based upon the needs of the department.

The Judicial Branch in Maricopa County is an EEO/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer. 

Apply Now!