Juvenile Corrections Officer

Yakima County • Castro Valley, CA

2d • Onsite

About The Position

There are multiple vacancies for the Juvenile Corrections Officer positions with the Yakima County Juvenile Detention Facility. Position is responsible to provide for the safety and security of the staff, facility and youth confined in the Yakima Juvenile Detention Facility. Gender-specific (male or female) hiring preference may apply to fill the Corrections Officer position in order to create a safer booking process of same gender pat-down searches and to comply with conventional standards of sexual privacy.

Requirements

• Must Be at least 21 years of age
• Valid WA State Driver’s license at time of employment.
• Be determined suitable for the position based on the results of a background security check, fingerprinting, physical ability test, polygraph examination and disclosure pursuant to RCW 43.43.830 and 43.43.834.
• Tuberculosis testing and Washington State Food Handler’s Permit required at time of employment.
• Washington State Basic First Aid training course with CPR required within 2 months of employment.
• Must be able to work various shifts in a 24 hour locked down facility, including weekends and holidays
• Any combination of work experience, volunteer work, education or family rearing which demonstrates the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the job.
• Ability to read, write and converse fluently in English is required.

Nice To Haves

• Ability to converse in Spanish as spoken in the geographical area is preferred, but not required.
• Experience working in Detention or Corrections, or Education in related field is preferred, but not required.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct supervision and interaction with juvenile detainees by: verbally resolving conflict between juveniles, identifying and observing group agitators and gang members.
• Identifies juvenile groups and gangs to anticipate potential problems.
• Recognizes behavioral characteristics of a violent offender.
• Identifies unrest among juveniles.
• Monitors / logs behavior of juveniles in disciplinary segregation.
• Uses physical force or manual /chemical restraints on juveniles when required.
• Monitors / observes incoming juveniles to identify mental / physical condition and requests examination by medical personnel.
• Monitors / verifies that prescription medication is taken.
• Observes juveniles to recognize symptoms of drug use / withdrawal and to determine who may be suffering from mental or emotional disorders to maintain facility and personal security.
• Provides facility security by: inspecting vehicles / containers entering or leaving the facility.
• Inspects identification of persons entering / exiting the facility.
• Verifies the identity of officer and juvenile detainee exiting / entering the facility.
• Controls entry into the detention area by video and computer monitoring of exits.
• Physically patrols tiers, cell areas, corridors and other secured areas inside and outside of the facility to ensure building security during non-business hours and to observe juvenile behavior.
• Maintains key security.
• Provides limited court room security for in custody children cases.
• Escorts and provides security for juveniles outside of the facility either by motor vehicle or foot.
• Performs pat-search and strip searches on juveniles.
• Searches clothing / property left for juveniles.
• Conducts periodic searches of juvenile cells to discover and seize contraband, weapons and processes seized contraband.
• Takes action to stop / report escapes and security breaches.
• Conducts head / facility count.
• Responds to emergency situation according to well established procedures; participates in facility lockdown.
• Reports unusual or irregular incidents to supervisor.
• Utilizes problems solving skills by: investigating and documenting injuries and behavioral patterns of juveniles.
• Determines when a juvenile crisis or problem should be referred to facility staff.
• Controls personal feelings against juvenile(s) to encourage proper supervision and to avoid provoked confrontations.
• Recognizes juvenile efforts to manipulate corrections officers.
• Counsels juveniles to help resolve problems.
• Prepares and submits all written documentation and reports concerning juvenile population, events and detention facility functions in accordance to procedure.
• Performs general duties such as: inspecting detention facilities for cleanliness, assures sanitary facilities are well maintained in accordance to procedures.
• Supervises juveniles at school, crafts, exercise, recreation, chores, visitation and telephone calls.
• Performs general laundry and supervises clean up.

Benefits

• Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life and Basic LTD)
• Retirement Benefits
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA- VEBA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Voluntary Benefits – vision, term life, critical illness, disability and other insurance plans
• Washington State Retirement Plan (DRS)
• 457 Deferred Compensation Program (DCP)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree