Opinion
Administrative Order No. 2010-80
June 23, 2010
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 Gila County has requested a waiver of this requirement pursuant to A.R.S. § 12-251(C). Gila County is a county of less than three hundred thousand persons and has identified a current officer who does not have the required educational experience as stated in ACJA § 6-106 (F)(3)(a). The waiver will provide the Gila County Adult Probation Department the ability to allow the current staff member to remain in his position of probation officer while he obtains the required degree.
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 Gila County Adult Chief Probation Officer to retain Ray Dion in the position of probation officer.
IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that this waiver is effective on and after the date of signature.
Dated this 23rd day of June, 2010.