Address: Adobe Mountain School
2800 W. Pinnacle Peak Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85027

Salary: $61,165 

Grade: DJ19A

Closing Date: 08/30/2026

We are seeking a Youth Program Officer III/Caseworker (YPO III) who will work directly with youth by providing a wide range of casework duties to include clinical oversight, crisis intervention, supervision, and group facilitation. The YPO III will work collaboratively with various teams and staff, and will provide services to youth families, outside agencies and agency staff.

Prepares and facilitates Psycho-educational groups and documents group for each
individual youth
Documents notes for all contact with youth, youth families, outside agencies, and internal
agency assessment
Plans, schedules, conducts and participates in various meetings
Ensures positive and effective engagement to youth’s family and outside agencies
Assists with youth supervision, behavior management, and oversight of youth within the
facility
Provides additional support to other unit staff as needed when situations arise
Acts as a positive role model for youth and ensures positive interaction and
communication
Conducts one on one discussions with youth as needed
Provides crisis intervention assistance, and conducts conflict resolutions as needed
Other duties assigned as related to the position

Knowledge of:
Agency policies and procedures
State juvenile justice systems
Developmental needs of juveniles
Dynamics of human behaviors and crisis intervention
Principles and practices of casework
Paraprofessional counseling and assessment
Computerized documentation systems

Skill in:
Written and verbal communication
Conducting interviews
Working with database formats
Compiling and maintaining case summaries and records
Interpersonal relationships
Performing individual and group paraprofessional counseling
Customer service
Youth and adult de-escalation
Problem solving
Leadership and decision making
Group facilitation
Proper documentation
Computer software to include but not limited to Google Suite (docs, sheets, etc.)

Ability to:
Learn and apply Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections’ policies and procedures
Collaborate effectively with ADJC personnel, other governmental employees, and
stakeholders
Communicate effectively
Resolve conflict
Analyze situations and take effective actions
Interpret and apply Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations
Manage behavior and maintain control of youth
Follow written and verbal instruction
Work in a correctional environment

ADJC Career Path eligibility criteria:
Two or more years of experience as a Youth Corrections Officer; with a Letter of Recommendation signed by the direct supervisor and upline manager.

External candidates:

Two or more years of experience as a Youth Corrections Officer; or as a Case worker.   Required to complete Youth Corrections Officer Academy and pre-employment assessments. 

Employment is contingent on the selected applicant passing a comprehensive background investigation.

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.

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).

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

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 program here. For a complete list of benefits provided by The State of Arizona, please visit our benefits page

This position participates 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 at employment@azdjc.gov  if you are in a different retirement plan than the one indicated above.

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 (602)542-9261. Requests should be made as early as possible to allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.