Juvenile Detention Officer I

Cowlitz County•Longview, WA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Juvenile Detention Officer I (DO-I) position is responsible for the center’s control room, which is manned and operated 24 hours daily. This role involves monitoring and operating security, camera, and communications systems, as well as safety alarms and other mechanical and electrical systems. The DO-I controls lighting in common and temporary living areas and contributes to overall facility safety. The primary responsibility is access control, ensuring only authorized individuals enter or leave the Cowlitz County Juvenile Detention Center (CCJDC) restricted areas, the facility, or its spaces. The position requires successful completion of CCJDC Detention Officer training by the end of the probationary period. This position is open until filled.

Requirements

Possess (or attain after employment) and maintain CPR and First Aid certifications.
Pass a full criminal background investigation as required by the Children/Adult Abuse Information Act.
Successfully complete and pass a polygraph test and psychological profile.
Possess and maintain a valid driver’s license.
Ability to work all shifts and weekends, dayshift, swing shift, graveyard shift.
Be 21 years old or older.

Nice To Haves

Two (2) years of college (equivalent to at least 90 credits) or Associate Degree in Sociology, Psychology, Criminal Justice, or related field.
Relevant experience and training may be substituted for educational requirements at the employer's discretion.

Responsibilities

Establish and/or maintain the control room and visitor logbooks throughout each shift.
Validate the identification of all authorized guests (e.g., educators, attorneys, counselors, health services personnel, volunteers) prior to facility entry.
Validate juveniles’ identification and reason for admission through the CCJDC main lobby entrance.
Deny facility entry to unauthorized persons and/or vehicles, notifying the shift supervisor in a timely manner for reasons of denial.
Direct authorized guests to the assigned spaces within the CCJDC.
Remain vigilant while maintaining direct line of sight and/or remote monitoring of residents, staff members, and authorized guests throughout the facility.
Monitor interior/perimeter cameras and intercom systems; respond and/or make notifications to appropriate detention personnel when needed.
Answer and/or route phone calls and questions from external parties of a general nature (e.g., visitation times and rules, facility entry procedures, directions to the facility).
Route questions of a sensitive or confidential nature to the shift supervisor (e.g., resident information, media inquiries).
Issue, account for, and store CCJDC keys along with charging replacement radio batteries.
Open and close electronically controlled doors while controlling and monitoring all resident, staff, and visitor movement into and out of authorized spaces within the facility.
Notify shift supervisor before allowing vehicle entry through the vehicle gate.
Initiate and document security responses within the CCJDC.
Attend and participate in staff meetings and provide recommendations for overall improvement.
Attend such training as may be deemed appropriate to maintain or upgrade skills related to the job of Detention Officer.
Perform other duties as assigned by lead detention officers or by the detention manager.