IN MATTER OF WAIVER OF PROBATION OFFICER, 2010-61 (Ariz. 5-27-2010)

Administrative Order No. 2010-61Supreme Court of Arizona.
May 27, 2010.

REBECCA WHITE BERCH, Chief Justice.

A.R.S. § 12-251(C) provides, “Probation department personnel shall qualify under minimum standards of experience and education established by the supreme court. Such standards may differ for counties of less than three hundred thousand persons from counties with three hundred thousand persons or more.” ACJA § 6-106 (F)(3)(a), Personnel Practices, states that probation officers must possess “at minimum, a bachelor’s degree with a preference in the behavioral sciences or a related field from an accredited college or university.”

The Presiding Judge of Coconino County has requested a waiver of this requirement pursuant to A.R.S. § 12-251(C). Coconino County is a county of less than three hundred thousand persons and has identified a hardship in the ability to recruit probation officers who meet requirements regarding educational experience as stated in ACJA § 6-106 (F)(3)(a). The waiver will provide the Coconino County Adult Probation Department the ability to promote two current staff members to the position of probation officer.

Now, therefore, pursuant to Article VI, Section 3, of the Arizona Constitution,

IT IS ORDERED that a waiver of ACJA § 6-106(F)(3)(a) is granted regarding the educational requirements allowing the Coconino County Adult Chief Probation Officer to reassign George DeStepheno and Bill Lightfoot to the position of probation officer.

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this waiver is effective on and after the date of signature.

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