On April 1, 2022, Angela (Angie) Zera retired as Chief Juvenile Probation Officer in Luzerne County following 21years of dedicated service to Luzerne County and the Pennsylvania juvenile justice system.

 

Angie began her juvenile justice career when she was hired in 2001 as a childcare worker at Luzerne County Detention Center. She quickly realized that she had a passion for working with youth. She felt that she could better use her skills and make more of an impact as a probation officer. She was hired by Luzerne County Juvenile Probation in 2002 and was assigned to be a School-Based Probation Officer. After a few months, Angie transitioned to a Placement Officer where she remained until becoming an Intake Officer in 2004. In 2007, Angie was promoted to Supervisor where she, over the next 8 years, supervised every department within the office. While a supervisor, Angie spearheaded the department’s Juvenile Justice System Enhancement Strategy initiatives. In January 2015, Angie was appointed Chief Juvenile Probation Officer.

 

As Chief, she continued to move the department forward with Evidenced-Based Probation. She began numerous initiatives to include the formation of a Disproportionate Minority Contact Committee, a Family Fun Day, and a Community Garden. At the state level, Angie was an active participant of the Pennsylvania Council of Chief Juvenile Probation Officers. She was appointed to the Council’s Executive Committee, was Chair of the Bylaws Committee and was a member of the Standards, Stage 1, and Awards Committees.

Angie graduated from Temple University in 2000 with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. In 2006, Angie earned her Master of Science in the Administration of Juvenile Justice through the JCJC-sponsored Graduate Education Program at Shippensburg University.

In addition to spending more time travelling with her husband (Adam) and son (Conner), she plans to refocus and continue her passion of working with children. She hopes to use her knowledge and expertise in the field to further juvenile justice initiatives.