Juvenile Court Manager of Detention and Facilities

Salary: $114,591.46 - $148,191.06 Annually
Location : Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Regular - Other
Job Number: 25-00252
Department: Juvenile Court
Division: Juvenile Court
Opening Date: 03/10/2025
Closing Date: 3/31/2025 6:00 PM Pacific

Description
Position Summary
Why This is a Great Opportunity: As a dynamic, detail-oriented leader with a passion for justice, you will play a pivotal role in a nationally recognized youth justice program that transforms lives. You'll lead a dedicated team committed to uplifting the youth and families in our community providing oversight to our 24/7 juvenile detention facility. Your expertise in strategy and program management will enable you to shape programs that matter and ensure safe operations for internal staff and youth in the program.

Why this is a Great Department: Pierce County is home to one of the nation's most innovative youth justice programs, where we focus on systemic changes that prioritize rehabilitation, skill acquisition and supporting long term behavior change. Our Juvenile Court system is a national leader in addressing systemic racism and improving outcomes for all youth and families in our community. Here, your passion for supporting, mentoring, and advocating for young people will be deeply valued. We celebrate and embrace your unique talents, perspectives, and drive to make a meaningful difference. At Pierce County Juvenile Court, we believe in the power of people and systems to change, and together, we can create lasting, positive impacts.

Click to watch a short video showcasing the transformative work of Pierce County Juvenile Court.

How to be Successful in the Role: We're seeking someone inspired by service and justice, who excels both independently and as part of a collaborative team. Your ability to communicate effectively and develop relationships with internal and external stakeholders will be crucial as you manage and monitor our juvenile detention facility. You should also be skilled in policy development, translating ideas into actionable strategies, and driving process improvements for positive change. In an ever-evolving justice system, we welcome innovative, forward-thinking individuals who thrive in dynamic environments.

Your Future in This Role: You will have opportunities for continuous learning, professional development, and leadership growth. You'll build strong networks across diverse sectors, including child welfare, education, youth development, mental health, and community resources. Your work will directly touch issues like substance abuse, mental health, poverty, and systemic inequities-areas that deeply affect the young people and families we serve. You'll contribute to shaping a justice system that truly promotes accountability, fairness and second chances.

Core Responsibilities:

• Manage, supervise, and coordinate the activities of detention, medical, food services, and facilities; develop program and operational goals and objectives; determine work procedures and guidelines to meet changing conditions; prepare work schedules and determine methods for expediting workflow.
• Assure that young people in secure detention are given proper health, nutritional and recreational care; assure that security precautions are sufficient to safeguard young people and the public; assure that the facility is properly cleaned and maintained.
• Must develop expertise in PREA standards and promote a zero-tolerance culture toward sexual abuse and sexual harassment. In addition to establishing a written policy that outlines the agency's approach to sexual misconduct prevention, detection and response, the manager must identify staff to coordinate and monitor those efforts. The manager will oversee and collaborate closely with the agency's PREA coordinator.
• Assume responsibility for maintenance of departmental records and documents; review all disciplinary actions taken by detention staff in controlling detainees.
• Plan in-service staff education, training and development; provide technical assistance with extremely complex atypical problems.
• Prepare budget requests and amendments; approve and control program expenditures.
• Evaluate individual and program accomplishments; approve and control program expenditures.
• Prepare application for local, state and/or federal funding grants; administer grant programs, provide supervisory controls.
• Ensure effective communication with county departments and staff to facilitate and ensure adherence to policies and procedures.
• Assign, review and approve the work of subordinate staff; investigate grievances involving subordinates and recommend resolution; recommend hiring, promotional and disciplinary actions; approve leave requests and overtime; provide adequate coverage during staff absences.
• Conduct performance evaluations and develop performance measures and standards.
• Ensure consistent interpretation and application of laws, rules, policies and procedures.
• Effectively persuade, inform, educate, train, solicit information, motivate and direct a wide variety of individuals or groups.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with County officials, employees and the general public.
• Participate in and support development, measurement and execution of the mission, goals, and objectives of the County, department, division and individual work groups.

A classification description with a more detailed list of essential functions can be found

Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree with course work in corrections, social work, management or a closely related field AND
• At least 5 years experience in the juvenile justice field with at least 2 years of which must have been in a supervisory position, in which compensated employees were supervised.
• Additional education in management and supervision is preferred.
• A resume and a substantive cover letter is required.
• Must have completed the first line supervisor and management training at the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission prior to completion of the probationary period.

Special Requirements:

• Must possess a valid Washington State Driver's license, or the ability to obtain the license within 30 days of employment, or otherwise meet the travel requirements of the position.
• Ability to pass a Pierce County background investigation, polygraph, medical exam, and drug screen.

Supplemental Information
To be considered for this opportunity please:

1) Complete and submit an online Pierce County Employment Application by selecting "APPLY" above or go to:

2) Attach the following documents to your online application:

• A resume and a substantive cover letter is required.
• College transcripts or college diploma
• Other documents which you feel would facilitate this process or assist us in determining your suitability for the position. Examples: job performance evaluations, awards, certificates, decorations, etc.

Other Important Information:

• If you do not have internet access, you may visit your local public library or any Work Source location and use their computers.
• Individuals needing accommodation in the application, testing process or need this job announcement in an alternative format may call Human Resources at (253) 798-7480, at least two days prior to the need.
• The online application system requires you to enter a substantial amount of information. Be prepared to spend an hour or two entering the required information. It may be helpful to you if you print the announcement, gather the information, then enter the information.
• In order for your application materials to be considered, all information must be submitted by the closing date and time listed on this job announcement.

At Pierce County, diversity, equity, and inclusion means commitment, not a single step. We strive to foster an inclusive environment that supports equitable access to opportunities throughout your career. We want to recruit, develop, and maintain a talented workforce from various backgrounds, cultures, lifestyles, and perspectives, committed to our vision. Employees of the County have local, direct, and visible impact in our diverse community. Will you join us in keeping Pierce County a great place to live, work, and raise a family?
We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Pierce County offers a competitive benefits package that offers flexibility and peace of mind. We are proud to offer Employee Resource Groups, a focus on professional development in our , and a County Book Club.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career and that your priority is making sure that you and your family maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of and , , staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Our benefits:

Vacation (Annual Leave)
After approximately six months, employees receive six days of vacation leave.
Since we value your experience, the amount of vacation you can accrue increases the longer you work with us. Vacation accrues on a bi-weekly basis for full-time employees as follows:

Vacation Accruals:
During years 1-3, 12 Days
During years 4-7, 16 Days
During years 8-13, 20 Days
During years 14-18, 23 Days
During years 19, 24 Days
During years 20, 25 Days
During years 21, 26 Days
During years 22, 27 Days
During years 23, 28 Days
During years 24, 29 Days
During years 25 & thereafter, 30 Days

A maximum of 45 days may be carried from one year into the next.
Pro-Rated for Part-Time based on % of 1.0 FTE.

Military Leave:
Pierce County has a proud history of supporting the armed forces and provides members of the armed forces with up to 21 days paid military leave per state fiscal year.

Holidays:
Some full-time employees are entitled to eleven paid holidays as follows:
New Year's Day - January 1
Martin Luther King, Jr's birthday - Third Monday in January
President's Day - Third Monday in February
Memorial Day - Last Monday in May
Juneteenth - June 19
Independence Day - July 4
Labor Day - First Monday in September
Veteran's Day - November 11
Thanksgiving Day - Fourth Thursday in November & Friday after
Christmas Day - December 25

Personal Holidays:
Regular full-time and regular part-time employees, and employees occupying limited duration positions, shall also receive two additional paid personal holidays. Paid personal holidays shall only accrue for those employees on County payroll as of January 1 of each year or the first work day following January 1 and must be taken during the calendar year in which it was accrued.
Furlough:
Some Pierce County employees may be designated to receive 10 "furlough" days per year in lieu of holidays. Furlough days are available for use on January 1 and must be scheduled and taken within the calendar year. Employees who leave employment with Pierce County must reimburse the employer for used furlough days based upon the number of remaining holidays.

Sick Leave:
Sick leave accrues on a bi-weekly basis, at the rate of one day per month.

Insurance Benefits:
Employees and families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with very affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout Pierce County. Employees are eligible to enroll each year in a flexible spending plan, which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care and dependent care expenses. Employees also have the opportunity to participate in supplemental life and long term disability insurance plans. To view premium rates, summary of benefit coverage, and other information, please visit the website.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation:
Pierce County employees are members of the State of Washington's Department of Retirement System (DRS) and depending on the position or previous DRS enrollment will be able to enroll in one of many programs DRS offers. For additional information, check out the web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Nationwide Deferred Compensation Plan. This is a supplemental retirement savings program that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security:
All Pierce County employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The county and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Miscellaneous Benefits:
Please visit website for more information.

Telework/Remote Options:
Some departments allow for telework or work-from-home options dependent on the body of work. Learn more about our telework policy
**All employees are required to be WA State residents after 30 days of employment.
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