Juvenile Custody Services Specialist

Multnomah County • Portland, OR

1d • $31 - $42 • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Community Justice (DCJ) is seeking committed, enthusiastic, and compassionate Juvenile Custody Services Specialists (JCSS) to serve a critical, operational role within the Juvenile Detention Facility. As a Juvenile Custody Services Specialist, you will provide vital guidance, supervision, security, and general care for culturally diverse youth facing a variety of behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and intellectual challenges. In this role, you will champion rehabilitative efforts through active group programming, cognitive skill facilitation, and pro-social behavior modeling, all within a safe and secure environment. Our Supervision Philosophy uses an interactive supervision model, prioritizing the holistic development and rehabilitation of youth. In this role, you will actively engage youth by focusing on Behavioral Transformation (facilitating cognitive restructuring programming and teaching critical life skills), Pro-Social Engagement (guiding youth in positive social development, personal accountability, and healthy peer interactions), and Daily Wellness & Enrichment (overseeing meaningful leisure time, personal hygiene routines, and structured enrichment activities).

Requirements

• Associate's degree or equivalent with major coursework in child psychology, sociology, or a related field, AND; Two (2) years of responsible experience working with at-risk youth (12-18) in one of the following environments (Bachelor's degree may substitute for 1 year of the required experience): Detention or youth correctional facility, Youth residential setting, Setting that provides programming for at-risk youth
• Successful completion of a battery of psychological tests / psychological evaluation.
• Physical ability to respond to crisis situations with the youth, including violent exchanges, and must regularly climb up and down stairs.
• Must pass a thorough background investigation which includes, but is not limited to, a review of applicant’s criminal, civil, driving, military, educational and employment history prior to employment.
• Valid driver's license

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field
• Group facilitation skills
• Experience working with justice involved youth (12-18)
• Experience working in an alcohol and drug treatment facility or program
• Experience working in a mental health treatment facility or program
• Exceptional skill with Google calendar / documents and electronic record keeping
• Training or education in trauma informed care, restorative justice and adolescent brain development
• Bilingual in Spanish and English

Responsibilities

• Conduct behavior observations and assessments of individual youth detainees and groups of detained youth through active supervision, which is the intentional and focused monitoring of youth in custody utilizing the components of movement within the environment, situational awareness, and frequent pro-social youth interactions.
• Prepare detailed incident reports for incidents that occur, document daily individual behavior summaries of youth, and both verbal and electronically documented daily unit and shift reports, individual youth records, and for juvenile counselors/workers and/or court purposes.
• Assist with the intake process of juveniles into the facility. Staff may be expected to collect and secure youth’s personal belongings, supervise and manage juveniles prior to screening to determine if youth will be admitted into the detention facility.
• Support the youth with problem-solving conversations and restorative processes in partnership with our restorative justice coordinators.
• Ensure the safety and security of the detention facility at all times.
• Deliver prosocial role modeling and facilitate skill-building activities for individual youth and groups of detained youth through skill groups with an emphasis on developing pro-social behaviors and skills.
• Oversee volunteers and/or contractors while they facilitate skill-building activities for individual youth and groups of detained youth.
• May assist with orientation of newly admitted youth to the juvenile detention facility by explaining facility rules and the facility behavior level system.
• Staff are expected to introduce youth to the structure of daily routines, outlining the expectations for behavior and providing information to youth on available programs and services.
• Staff will also ensure youth understand the importance of their safety, rights, and responsibilities within the detention facility.
• Perform other duties as assigned

Benefits

• Health insurance (medical, dental, vision, Moda or Kaiser Permanente).
• Qualify for a defined benefit pension after five years of vesting; we pick up the employee's share of the retirement contribution (6% of subject wages).
• Generous paid leave (vacation, sick, parental, bereavement, military etc.)
• Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Optional deferred compensation and flexible spending accounts
• Free annual Tri-met bus pass
• Access to wellness resources
• Access to Employee Resource Groups
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

What This Job Offers

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