Judicial Branch Security Director

Posting Date

05/06/26

Application Deadline

05/22/26

Pay Range

Min - 1st Quartile - Mid - Max
$99,500.00 - $112,004.40 - $124,508.80 - $149,500.00

The expected hiring salary range is $125,000 to $149,500. The salary of the person selected for the position will be dependent on creditable experience.

This position is exempt under the FLSA.

What We Offer

We offer generous paid time off, paid sick leave, and 10 paid holidays! We have affordable medical, dental, and vision insurance, and our employees are entitled to coverage by one of several State-sponsored retirement pension plans, our employee assistance program, and wellness incentives. Additionally, our employees have the option of life insurance, disability, a group legal plan, and pet insurance. Under the current guidelines for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, the Maricopa County Superior Court is a qualifying employer. Therefore, any full time Judicial Branch employee, who meets other eligibility criteria may be eligible for loan forgiveness under this program. Click here to learn more!

Job Type

Unclassified - Judicial

Department

D800 Superior Court

About the Position

The Judicial Branch Security Director provides direction for the day-to-day operations of the security, emergency management and threat management functions for the Judicial Branch including Superior Court, Adult Probation, Juvenile Probation, and Justice Courts. This position will also have executive responsibility for developing strategic planning objectives and addressing the ever-changing complexities associated with providing security operations for one of the nation’s largest trial courts. Working as a key member of the executive management team, the position will direct the security efforts of a staff of more than 181 employees who cover 29 locations encompassing 35 entry points throughout the county and provides a safe environment for Judicial Officers, employees, and the public. 

The ideal candidate will bring strong expertise in security operations, emergency management, and threat assessment across large, multi-site environments. They should demonstrate confident leadership, excellent communication under pressure, and the ability to build collaborative relationships with law enforcement and justice partners. The ideal candidate also leverages technology and data to strengthen organizational safety, ensure compliance, and drive continuous improvement.

About The Judicial Branch: 

The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County is dedicated to providing a safe, fair and impartial forum for resolving disputes, enhancing access to our services, and providing innovative, evidenced-based practices that improve the safety of our community and ensure the public’s trust and confidence in the Judicial Branch. The Superior Court in Maricopa County, one of the largest, most innovative and progressive trial courts in the nation, seeks innovative individuals to join our team who will embrace our vision of excellence and the principles inherent in the Rule of Law...every person, every day, every time.  We fulfill these principles through a culture that values fairness, respect, integrity, innovation, and safety.

Position Qualifications

We recognize your time is valuable, so please apply if you meet the following required qualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Business or Public Administration, Emergency Management or a related field.

Experience:

• Six (6) years of professional-level security, emergency management, and threat management experience, preferably in a judicial or government setting.  
• Including at least three (3) years of directly related supervisory experience including managing large teams and multi-site operations.

OR

Combined education and experience qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in a related field may substitute for two (2) years of professional experience but does not substitute for the supervisory experience.
• Increasing responsible security, threat or emergency management experience may substitute for the education on a year-for-year basis.

Other Requirements:

• Possess and maintain a valid Arizona driver’s license.
• Obtain certification as a First Responder, Basic Life Safety, and CPR provider within six (6) months of appointment. 
• Obtain certification in defensive weapons tactics within six (6) months of appointment.
• Obtain certification as a Court Security Officer pursuant to Arizona Code of Judicial Administration § 5-304 within six (6) months of appointment.

Our Preferred Candidate Has:

• Master’s degree in Criminal Justice, Business or Public Administration, Emergency Management or a related field.
• Experience in overseeing firearm programs.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities:

Knowledge Of:

• Techniques and practices for effective, efficient and cost-effective management of allocated resources. 
• Principles, practices, and trends in public administration, leadership, and management.
• Management and supervisory principles, practices and techniques. 
• Arizona criminal statutes, court administrative orders, policies and procedures, applicable federal rules and regulations, trial court processes, structures. 
• Principles and practices of administrative techniques and methods, budget preparation and monitoring, and Total Quality Management. 
• Threat intelligence and risk assessment methodologies.
• Emergency management frameworks and continuity of operations planning.

Skill In:

• Planning, organizing, directing, and controlling complex security operations and emergency management issues. 
• Establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with public safety and law enforcement agencies, and other participants in the criminal justice system. 
• Developing and implementing long-range fiscal and operational plans. 
• Exercising sound judgment within general policy guidelines. 
• Evaluating alternatives, and making logical recommendations based on findings. 
• Preparing clear and concise records, reports, correspondence, and other written materials. 
• Use of standard office equipment and software and computer applications including spreadsheets, databases, and word processing software. 
• Crisis communication during security or disaster response incidents.
• Leveraging technology for surveillance, access control, and incident response.
• Overseeing firearm programs.
• Data analytics for predictive security modeling.

Ability To:

• Lead cross-functional teams during high-stress events.
• Develop and implement security policies that align with national standards (e.g., DHS, FEMA).
• Foster a culture of security awareness across all levels of the organization.
• Control adverse, critical and confrontational situations in a stressful environment.
• Analyze complex security and operational data. 
• Read, understand, interpret, explain, and apply laws, ordinances, policies, court orders, and regulations.
• Communicate effectively verbally and in writing. 

Essential Job Tasks

(This is not an all-inclusive list of all job duties that may be required; employees will be required to perform other related duties as assigned.)

• Oversee court security operations, evaluates and analyzes department issues, recommends and implements solutions and strategies to ensure the safety of employees, facilities and the public.
• Provide leadership, direction, and coaching to subordinate employees in areas of performance management, problem resolution, planning and work assignments.
• Provide direct oversight of the Judicial Branch Threat Management program which includes gathering and assessing information and intelligence about persons who may have the interest, motive, intention, and capability of doxing, targeting or mounting physical attacks directed at our judicial officers, staff and Court facilities. In addition, gauges the potential levels of concern and mitigating vulnerabilities of targeted Judicial Officers, employees, or Court facilities while applying interventions to preventing violence and disruption of the Judicial Branch’s mission.
• Direct threat and security assessments, compile and analyze statistical data and write reports to inform and make recommendations to Judicial Branch leadership (Administrator and Presiding Judge). 
• Develop, implement, and test emergency procedures and evacuation plans for all judicial branch facilities. 
• Oversee all aspects of armed security operations, including the selection, training, and certification of armed personnel. Ensures compliance with Arizona Code of Judicial Administration (ACJA) § 5-306 regarding arming standards, qualification requirements, and ongoing proficiency. Develops and enforces policies for safe handling, storage, and use of firearms, and monitors adherence to legal and organizational guidelines for armed security practices.
• Lead enterprise-wide risk assessments and implement mitigation plans.
• Coordinate multi-agency emergency response drills and tabletop exercises.
• Coordinate crisis management relating to emergencies and develops, maintains and tests business continuity plans for disaster recovery and other crisis situations. 
• Assure effective communications of security issues and strategies.
• Champion, design and present security awareness programs and training initiatives for Judicial Officers and employees. 
• Develop systems and standards for program evaluation, and assures departmental activities are in compliance with all laws, policies, regulations and goals. 
• Monitor and review trends in court security and criminal justice and recommend operational and policy improvements. 
• Supervise and participate in complex and high-profile security investigations. 
• Advise and coordinate with judicial and law enforcement agencies on legal issues of security duties, functions and obligations. 
• Act as key contact for all federal, state and local public safety, security and intelligence agencies and directs the implementation procedures for federal and state guidelines and directives.
• Prepare and present routine security and risk reports to executive leadership and governing bodies.
• Attend strategic planning meetings and retreats, budget preparation, and negotiations with the Presiding Judge, Judicial Branch Administrator, and Chief Probation Officers.
• Provide regular onsite supervision and employs in-person assessment methods to gauge business needs through direct observation, monitoring group dynamics with face-to-face interaction, and interpreting body language and nonverbal cues. Establishes interpersonal connections, fosters engagement, and exemplifies expected behaviors.

Working Conditions: 

While performing the duties of this job, the employee may need to communicate clearly, perceive details of objects that are close by, and maintain various physical positions for extended periods, such as sitting, standing, or walking. The job may involve using hands for tasks such as typing, handling objects, or operating tools, as well as reaching with hands and arms. Occasionally, the employee may be required to move or lift objects weighing up to 20 pounds. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

May be required to drive between Judicial Branch work locations within Maricopa County and travel out of state.  Requires working standard Judicial Branch business hours Monday through Friday, and may be required to work after hours, on weekends and/or holidays as needed. This is a safety-sensitive position in accordance with ACJA § 6-106(A) and ACJA § 6- 107(A). Participation in the resolution of service impacting incidents that can occur 24x7.

Additional Information

Judicial Branch Human Resources reserves the right to move forward candidates based on the information provided directly on the application. The hiring authority will select the successful candidate based on departmental needs. 

Typically, successful candidates are hired at a salary rate up to the midpoint of the range, based on applicable experience, internal equity, and budgetary allowances. 

All Judicial Branch offers of employment and continued employment are contingent upon passing a thorough background and/or fingerprint check. Applicants must completely and fully answer any questions regarding felony and misdemeanor convictions including any convictions that have been expunged or set aside. Failure to include criminal history information is grounds for termination of an offer and employment. A conviction may not automatically disqualify an applicant. 

The Judicial Branch of Arizona in Maricopa County participates in the State Retirement systems ASRS or PSPRS. As such, mandatory membership for all full-time employees includes payroll deducted contributions consistent with each retirement system's requirements. The current contribution rate for ASRS is 12.27% and the current contribution rate for PSPRS is 5.84% and up for the defined contribution plan and 8.82% for the defined benefit plan. For more information about contributions and benefits of these plans visit https://www.azasrs.gov/ or https://www.psprs.com/corrections-officer/

Judicial Branch facilities are located throughout Maricopa County.  This position may be reassigned to other locations.  Assignments will be made based upon the needs of the department.

The Judicial Branch in Maricopa County is an EEO/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer. 

 

Apply Now!