Government Ombudsman Jobs (NOW HIRING)

The Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections (ADJC) is seeking an Ombudsman who will represent youth in parole revocation hearings, advocate for youth rights, and coordinate with Parole Officers and facility staff on behalf of youth. This position ensures safe housing unit conditions, manages the youth grievance process, appoints and trains grievance coordinators, and provides youth rights training. This position supports the Youth Rights Supervisor in tribal outreach compliance, reviews ADA accommodations, investigates disability discrimination claims, facilitates youth appearance at virtual court hearings and attorney visits, and monitors agency processes. ADJC wants you to join our talented and diverse Legal team! At ADJC you will have the opportunity to grow and collaborate in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment that supports and rehabilitates youth in the juvenile justice system.

-Conduct visits to housing units to ensure appropriate conditions and work with staff to address any deficiencies or problems involving youth
-Coordinate and facilitate resolution of youth grievances; collect, assign and monitor status of grievances; remind staff when grievances are overdue
-Appoint and train youth as Grievance Coordinator on each unit; provide and collect contact forms on each unit for internal dispute resolution; provide training to newly committed youth on youth rights
-Represent youth in administrative hearings; serve as an advocate for youth in contested hearings; explain rights and procedures; coordinate with Parole Officers and facility staff regarding hearings
-Facilitate youth participation in delinquency, dependency, criminal, probate, and other court hearings
-Review, monitor and communicate recommended accommodations for youth in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA); ensuring seamless integration of accommodations not only in the specific area that prompted the recommendation but also across other relevant areas within the agency
-Investigate, facilitate resolution, and report any claims of disability discrimination or harassment based on disability
-Support the Youth Rights Supervisor in ensuring compliance with statutory tribal outreach requirements and facilitating services for Native American youth
-Monitor various agency processes and interface with the process managers, including but not limited to the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) and behavioral intervention, to ensure compliance with the law and policies
-Develop, maintain and improve communication and cooperation between the department and other key stakeholders including other government agencies
-Participate in staff committees
-Perform other duties as assigned

Knowledge of:
-Arizona State laws and Federal laws regarding youth, juvenile and criminal law
-Principles of adolescent behavior and delinquency
-Principles of advocacy and dispute resolution
Skills in:
-Tactful and effective communication
-Diplomatic cooperative problem-solving
-Conflict Resolution
-Forensic argument
-Computer software Microsoft Office and Google Suites
-Time management and multitasking
-Developing and maintaining positive working relationships with agency staff and government agencies
-Public speaking and professional report writing
-Managing working in a stressful environment
Abilities to:
-Read, understand, implement, and monitor agency policy
-Operate autonomously with a high degree of ethical leadership and integrity
-Review and understand law enforcement and parole reports related to parole revocation
-Learn rules of evidence and criminal procedure
-Represent youth in contested hearings
-Advocate for youth
-Learn ADJC database systems
-Explain law and policy in a matter that youth can understand
-Counsel and interact with delinquent youth in a correctional setting

The preferred candidate will have:
- Experience with juveniles in a correctional setting
- Experience with contested and administrative, criminal or civil hearings
- Bilingual skills in Spanish/English preferred but not required

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.

If this position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function of 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 record checks. The license must be current, unexpired, and neither revoked nor suspended. Employees who drive on state business are subject to driver's license record checks, must maintain acceptable driving records, and must complete all required 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.) R2-10-207.11).

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 Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS)
- New membership begins the 27th week of employment
- Immediately vested in retirement contributions
- Defined Benefit
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.