Youth Transition Specialist

Arizona Department of Administration

  • Phoenix, Arizona
  • 3 days ago

    Highlights

    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. Job Summary: The Youth Transition Specialist is responsible for managing a diverse caseload of juveniles and young adults, providing comprehensive case management services throughout their transition from the ADJC Adobe Mountain facility to community-based settings.

    Numbers & Facts

    LocationPhoenix, Arizona

    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 TRANSITION SPECIALIST

    Job Location:

    Address:

    Community Corrections/ Parole Office

    100 N. 15th Ave

    Phoenix, AZ 85007

     

    Posting Details:

    Salary: $61,156 

    Grade: 19

    Closing Date: September 6, 2026

    Job Summary:

    The Youth Transition Specialist is responsible for managing a diverse caseload of juveniles and young adults, providing comprehensive case management services throughout their transition from the ADJC Adobe Mountain facility to community-based settings. Key responsibilities include facilitating access to inpatient and outpatient services, insurance benefits and residential programs, as well as coordinating educational, vocational, employment, and treatment resources to ensure individuals and their families are effectively connected with essential community services. Serving as the primary liaison, the Specialist collaborates with various key stakeholders, including the Arizona Department of Economic Security (ADES), the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS), the Arizona Department of Child Safety (ADCS) and residential stakeholders throughout AZ. Furthermore, this role may be involved in crisis intervention, assessments and follow-up.

    Job Duties:

    Responsibilities include but is not limited to:
    Facilitating pre- and post-reentry service coordination for juveniles releasing or discharging from the ADJC Adobe Mountain facility
    Connecting resources by linking juveniles and families to local programs and insurance benefits
    ​Weekly travel to the Adobe Mountain Phoenix facility and throughout Arizona ​as required
    Providing educational support to juveniles to bridge the transition between academic programming and post-release educational or vocational opportunities
    Participating in multidisciplinary team meetings, including Child and Family Team and Adult Recovery
    Team meetings
    Collaborating effectively within a team environment to ensure program objectives are met
    Conducting comprehensive case reviews and maintaining consistent communication with case managers to ensure program integrity
    Performing initial in-home assessments
    Coordinating essential services for juveniles and their families
    Assisting in the development of transitional plans for juveniles and young adults
    Engaging and maintaining professional relationships with internal​, external stakeholders, service providers, community agencies, and partner entities
    Compiling statistical data and generating reports regarding program services
    Managing case files, documentation, and data entry
    Operating a vehicle for official State business
    ​Provide additional support and guidance to assist the juveniles in securing viable employment
    opportunities
    Performing other duties as assigned within the scope of the position
    Facilitating pre- and post-reentry service coordination for juveniles releasing/discharging from the
    Adobe Mountain facility.
    ​Weekly travel to/from the Adobe Mountain facility and throughout Arizona ​as required
    Providing educational support to juveniles to bridge the transition between academic programming and post-release educational or vocational opportunities.
    Participating in weekly multidisciplinary team meetings, including Child and Family Team and Adult
    Recovery Team meetings
    Collaborating effectively within a team environment to ensure program objectives are met.
    Conducting comprehensive case reviews and maintaining consistent communication with case managers to ensure program integrity
    Performing initial in-home assessments.
    Coordinating essential services for juveniles and their families
    Assisting in the development of transitional plans for juveniles and young adults
    Engaging and maintaining professional relationships with internal​, external stakeholders, service providers, community agencies, and partner entities
    Compiling statistical data and generating reports regarding program services
    Managing case files, documentation, and data entry.
    Operating a vehicle for official State business.
    ​Provide additional support and guidance to assist the juveniles in securing viable employment opportunities
    Performing other duties as assigned

    Knowledge, Skills & Abilities (KSAs):

    Knowledge of:
    Transition and reentry planning
    Health and Human Services
    Micro level community organization
    Components of Family dynamics
    Diagnostics and assessment terminology
    Components of a home assessment
    Case planning and case management processes
    Adolescent development
    Educational and vocational resources
    Employment resources
    AZ State Medicaid program, eligibility, enrollment and services
    Local, state and federal programs and resources
    Research methodologies and report preparation
    Best practices in community reentry
    Computer operations and programs including Google Suite and Microsoft Office

    Skill in:
    Transition and reentry planning
    Interpersonal skills regarding interactions with difficult and complex families
    Conducting and evaluating family systems and therapeutic modalities
    Assessing juvenile and families’needs and providing appropriate referral for intervention
    Understanding family dynamics, communication and interaction patterns in families
    Crisis intervention, mediation and interpersonal dynamics
    Establishing and maintaining interpersonal relationships
    Multi-tasking, organization and time management
    Discharge and reintegration planning
    Coaching and Motivational Interviewing
    Research and connection to potential employment placements
    Collaborating with community providers and various educational establishments
    Establish linkages between academic coursework and post release educational or vocational options
    Being digitally literate
    Public speaking
    Professional report writing
    Collecting and maintaining accurate data/documentation and program records
    Maintaining confidentiality
    Areas of analysis, problem solving, formulation of alternatives and strategy development
    Development and maintaining positive working relationship with internal and external customers
    Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential
    Problemsolving
    Working independently with minimal supervision

    Ability to:
    Travel frequently throughout the state of AZ, including overnight stays, as needed
    Manage a varied caseload by prioritizing and strategizing
    Manage time effectively
    Work well with others individually and in a group setting
    Work on a variety of assignments with minimal supervision
    Prioritize assignments with crisis situations taking precedence
    Recognize emergency or dangerous psychiatric emergencies and take appropriate interventions to ensure safety of juveniles and families
    Collaborate with human service, educational, vocational, and employment entities to enhance well-being and help meet basic and complex needs of juveniles and young adults
    Work in a secure care facility
    Work closely with adjudicated youth and their families

    Selective Preference(s):

    The preferred candidate will possess:
    A Post-Secondary Degree in Social Services/Social Work OR; 60 hours of college credits and two (2) years of experience working with at risk youth in a social services arena.
    Bilingual skills in Spanish/English preferred but not required

    Pre-Employment Requirements:

    Employment is contingent on the selected applicant passing a comprehensive background investigation, drug screening and pre-placement physical examination.

    This position requires driving or the use of a vehicle as an essential function on the job. 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).

    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

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

    Retirement:

    This position participates in the Corrections Officer Retirement Plan (CORP).

    CORP Tier 3 is a Defined Contribution, 401 (a) retirement plan
    Employer matches contributions
    Contributions are made on a pre-taxed basis
    Employees can choose investments that suit their goals and risk tolerance
    Employees are fully vested after 3 years of service

    Attention if you are a current Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) member with a minimum of five years you may request to remain in ASRS. Should you have any questions, please reach out to our Human Resources Office by calling 602.542.9268 or emailing employment@azdjc.gov.

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