Juvenile Detention Officer

Snohomish County•Everett, WA

10h•Onsite

About The Position

Juvenile Detention Officers supervise, monitor, and care for juvenile offenders and other court-involved youth in a confined, 24-hour secure detention facility. They create a safe and secure environment for youth awaiting court appearances or serving sentences, ensure programming needs are met, and promote pro-social behavior through coaching, conflict resolution, and behavior management. Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply, and preference will be given to female applicants, because some searches and pat-downs of female youth must be performed by female staff. Officers serve as positive role models and work with partners including probation and nursing staff, teachers, community agencies, judges, attorneys, and law enforcement. They admit and release juveniles; conduct intake screening and searches; explain rights and facility rules; maintain records and computer entries; escort and transport youth; supervise activities and daily tasks; and respond to medical, emotional, behavioral, and emergency needs. The position also involves enforcing facility rules, writing incident reports, participating in behavioral planning, intervening in crises, and taking part in physical control when warranted. The work is performed primarily at the Snohomish County Juvenile Detention Center, a 24-hour-a-day, seven-day-a-week operation. Employees may be assigned to any shift, may work weekends, must work holidays when they fall on their normal schedule, and may be required to work mandatory overtime. Officers receive direction and assistance from the Juvenile Corrections Officer Supervisor; work is reviewed through observation, direct contact, and meetings with the supervisor and Detention Program Manager.

Requirements

At least six months of compensated or volunteer experience working with juveniles, completed coursework in a related field, or a combination of training and experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities.
Must pass job-related tests.
Must be at least 21 years of age.
Valid Washington State Driver's License required.
Valid First Aid/CPR Card required within six months.
Must complete Juvenile Corrections Officer Academy Training, including defensive tactics training, as instructed by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Center within six months of employment.
Must successfully pass a criminal history background investigation, reference verification, polygraph examination, psychological examination, physical ability test, and employee health screen.
Knowledge of safety and security issues, crisis intervention techniques, youth group and individual behavior patterns, basic counseling methods, and basic computer skills.
Ability to recognize threats to individual or facility safety and determine effective responses; relate effectively to juveniles from varied backgrounds; maintain effective working relationships; interpret and enforce facility rules; monitor and evaluate detainees' activities and behavior; respond quickly and calmly to crises; perform strenuous physical tasks such as restraining violent or threatening individuals; communicate effectively with people from varied backgrounds; accurately type and record information; perform clerical tasks; and maintain records and prepare required reports.
Good physical condition to deal with occasional aggressive or threatening behavior by detainees.

Nice To Haves

Associate's degree in Criminal Justice, Human Services, Sociology, Psychology, or a closely related field.
Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply, and preference will be given to female applicants for operational requirements involving supervision and searches of female youth.

Responsibilities

Serve as a positive role model for detained juveniles.
Facilitate group activities and discussions, report on youth behavior, and coordinate with partners who work with detained youth.
Verify warrants; admit and release juveniles; complete intake screening; enter and update relevant information in facility and state computer systems.
Explain youth rights, facility rules, expectations, and consequences; conduct searches; issue clothing and personal items; take fingerprints; escort youth to court; and transport youth to and from the facility.
Receive bail and resident monies.
Maintain a firm, fair, and consistent environment that models pro-social behavior and supports positive goals.
Enforce detention center rules, complete incident reports, and participate in the facility's behavioral management program.
Manage behavior and diffuse disruptions through problem solving, crisis intervention, and counseling; participate in physical control when warranted and behavioral planning for special management populations.
Supervise detainees throughout the facility and during school, recreation, programs, and visitation; facilitate unit or group activities and monitor daily tasks.
Assist youth with personal hygiene and medical or emotional concerns; administer emergency first aid; identify suspected drug or alcohol use; and refer requests and needs to appropriate staff or resources.
Supervise facility cleaning by assigning and directing detainee work, and wash clothing and bedding.
Operate control-room video and audio monitors, computers, touch probes, and radios; respond to inquiries from law enforcement, probation and parole counselors, other detention facilities, attorneys, and parents.
Perform related duties as required.