Director of Juvenile Services

Position Description

This is an at-will position, reporting directly to the assigned Juvenile Court Judge of the Second Judicial District Court. The Director is responsible for the strategic leadership, administration, fiscal management, policy development, and operational oversight of the Department's Probation and Court Services, Detention Services, and Community Services divisions to promote public safety, youth accountability, and positive youth and family outcomes. The Director oversees a staff of approximately 130 permanent employees and administers a multimillion-dollar operating budget.

Supervision Exercised

Exercises direct supervision over professional staff and support staff

Examples of Essential Duties

Plan, organize, direct, and manage the Juvenile Probation and Court Services, Detention Services, and Community Services Divisions of the Juvenile Services Department.

Develop and oversee department performance measurement systems, outcome-based reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives to support informed decision-making and accountability.

Provide executive oversight of departmental technology systems, information management practices, records management systems, and modernization initiatives to improve operational effectiveness and service delivery.

Direct department-wide risk management, regulatory compliance, accreditation, quality assurance, and inspection readiness activities to ensure safe operations and adherence to applicable laws, regulations, standards, and best practices.

Serve as the primary advisor to the judiciary regarding juvenile justice operations, policy development, organizational performance, resource allocation, and emerging issues affecting the Department.

Promote workforce development initiatives including succession planning, employee wellness, recruitment, retention, leadership development, and professional training.

Develop cooperatively, with the Committee for Juvenile Services and the Juvenile Court, operational policies, procedures, and operational practices that support the effective administration of the Department and advancement of its mission.

Plan and direct the work of the professional and support staff to ensure the effective delivery of services and achievement of departmental goals.

Supervise and evaluate the activities and performance of assigned staff, including recruitment, training, coaching, workforce development, succession planning, employee discipline, and performance management.

Prepare, administer, and monitor the Department’s operating and capital budgets, ensuring fiscal responsibility and effective allocation of resources.

Oversee and direct the preparation of studies, surveys, performance measures, data dashboards, annual reports, and other operational, fiscal, and strategic reports.

Develop, monitor, and update the Department Strategic Plan; establish performance objectives; improve service delivery; ensure alignment with departmental, judicial, county, and state priorities.

Monitor and evaluate legislation, regulations, policy initiatives, and emerging trends affecting juvenile justice, behavioral health, detention operations, public safety, and youth services, and develop recommendations for organizational response.

Analyze community conditions, public safety concerns, service gaps, and emerging needs affecting justice-involved youth and families, and develop strategies, programs, and partnerships to address those needs.

Assess community resources and coordinate with public and private partners to strengthen prevention, diversion, intervention, treatment, detention, and reentry services.

Identify, pursue, administer, and monitor grant funding and other funding opportunities to enhance departmental operations, services, innovation, and strategic initiatives.

Represent the Department and develop strategic partnerships with judicial officers, law enforcement agencies, schools, behavioral health providers, state agencies, elected officials, community organizations, the media, commissions, committees, boards, community groups, and professional organizations.

Job-Related and Essential Qualifications

Knowledge of

• Departmental policies and procedures, including personnel policies.
• Federal, State, and local laws, rules, regulations, and legislation affecting the functions of the Juvenile Services Department.
• Goals and philosophy of the Department.
• Community and agency resources and service providers.
• Juvenile probation, diversion, detention, and related Court procedures, including evidence-based and community-centered juvenile justice practices.
• Adolescent development, trauma-informed care, and family-centered intervention practices.
• Behavioral health, substance use treatment, and community-based service delivery systems affecting justice-involved youth.
• Data analytics, performance measurement, outcome evaluation, and data governance principles.
• Information systems, technology governance, cybersecurity awareness, and electronic records management.
• Risk management, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance practices.
• Strategic communications, public engagement, and stakeholder relations.
• Detention and shelter care standards, including experience with or knowledge of recognized best practices in juvenile justice, such as the NCJFCJ Juvenile Delinquency Guidelines and the Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative (JDAI) through the Annie E. Casey Foundation.
• Federal, State, and local codes, laws, and regulations affecting juvenile justice, behavioral health, Medicaid, and youth-serving systems.
• Principles, practices, and techniques of organizational management.
• Principles and practices of effective supervision.
• Technology systems and tools used to support communication, collaboration, information management, and service delivery.

Ability to

• Plan, organize, direct, and evaluate complex juvenile service programs and systems.
• Utilize data and performance measures to assess outcomes and guide organizational decision-making.
• Lead organizational change initiatives and technology modernization efforts.
• Identify emerging risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Develop and manage complex budgets and track expenditures.
• Analyze information, project consequences of proposed actions, and develop appropriate recommendations.
• Interpret and apply regulations, policies, and procedures to staff and the public.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with management, staff, elected officials, stakeholders, community leaders, service organizations, and the public.
• Prepare clear, concise, and accurate records and reports.
• Supervise personnel, including training, assigning and reviewing work, administering discipline, and conducting performance evaluations.
• Ensure that assigned personnel perform duties and responsibilities in a safe and prudent manner that does not expose them or others to unnecessary harm or risk of on-the-job injury.

Skills to

• Communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Anticipate issues and implement actions to bring about resolution.
• Provide administrative and professional leadership and direction for the Judicial District.
• Lead stakeholders in strategic planning, organizational development, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Build collaborative partnerships among courts, law enforcement, schools, service providers, governmental agencies, and community organizations.
• Effectively communicate complex policy, operational, fiscal, and legal issues to diverse audiences.
• Collaborate with the judiciary to develop a court culture that promotes a high standard of work performance, adheres to the Model Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees, and supports the Court’s mission.
• Understand when to appropriately delegate authority and responsibilities.
• Select, lead, supervise, train, and evaluate staff.
• Analyze problems, identify solutions, project consequences, and implement recommendations in support of organizational goals.

Special Requirements

Ability to work remotely via an internet network connection provided by the employee. This connection should be a minimum of 50mb download speeds. Higher connection speed may be required if sharing this connection with other members in employee’s household.

Experience and Training Requirements

A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Behavioral Science, Criminal Justice, Social Work, or a related field and five years of full-time work experience related to youth and families, including a minimum of three years at a management level with progressively responsible senior or executive management experience in juvenile justice, detention, probation, behavioral health, human services, court administration, corrections, or a closely related field, including responsibility for personnel management, budget administration, strategic planning, and program oversight.

A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a related field is highly desirable and may be substituted for one year of management experience.

License or Certificate

• Possession of a valid driver's license.
• Ability to obtain and maintain any licenses or certifications required by the assigned department or program.
• Current CPR/First Aid certification.
• Successful completion of all Department, Court, County, and State required training.
• If Nevada Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified, must maintain certification.
• Ability to successfully complete all required background investigations, security clearances, and facility access requirements associated with the position.