JUVENILE JUSTICE DETENTION OFFICER I - 80004074

State of Florida • Venice, FL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is seeking dedicated professionals to enhance public safety through high-quality effective services for youth and families. Working as a juvenile justice detention officer is a rewarding and challenging career opportunity. The primary responsibility is to ensure public safety by providing a safe and secure environment for troubled youth in a structured setting. DJJ expects youth to be accountable for their criminal actions while striving to sustain a culture that promotes dignity and respect. The goal is to treat each youth as an individual by providing the right services, at the right time, to shape them into productive citizens. As a detention officer, you are often the first DJJ employee to interact with juvenile offenders, making leadership, coaching, mentoring, and a desire to work with youth essential qualities.

Requirements

• Be at least 19 years of age.
• Be a high school graduate or its equivalent.
• Not have been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement.
• Not have received a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces of the United States.
• Not have pleaded guilty or nolo contendere to, or been found guilty of, any felony or a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement after September 30, 1999.
• Abide by all provisions of s. 985.644 (1), regarding fingerprinting and background investigations and other screening requirements for personnel.
• Execute and submit to the Department an affidavit-of-application form attesting to compliance with the above requirements.
• Recognize signs of potential suicide or depression and changes in youth’s behavior.
• Address issues of youth who are experiencing problems.
• Determine appropriate level of use of force.
• Provide constructive feedback to correct behavior.
• Use conflict management skills.
• Communicate both orally and in writing.
• Effectively work with youth, co-workers, supervisors and the public.
• Add, subtract, multiply and divide rational numbers.
• Possess a valid driver’s license (if required for transportation of youth, a three-year acceptable driving record is needed).
• Be agreeable to working shift schedules, including rotating shifts, evenings, weekends, and holidays with varying days off.
• Be prepared for unplanned overtime or unscheduled double shifts.
• Pass a sex offender check, criminal background checks (state, local, and national), and pre-employment drug screening.
• Pass an Ergometric’s IMPACT Assessment and Training Test (for candidates not currently in the state system).

Nice To Haves

• Leadership qualities.
• Coaching abilities.
• Mentoring skills.
• A desire to work with youth.

Responsibilities

• Ensure public safety by providing a safe and secure environment for troubled youth in a structured setting.
• Hold youth accountable for their criminal actions.
• Promote a culture that upholds dignity and respect.
• Treat each youth as an individual by providing the right services at the right time.
• Shape youth to become productive citizens in society.
• Interact with juvenile offenders as the first DJJ employee.
• Maintain reports and records relating to the supervision of youth.

Benefits

• 104 hours of paid vacation annually
• 96 hours of paid sick leave annually, with unlimited accrual of unused hours
• 9 paid holidays and 1 personal day each year
• 6 paid credit hours per term at Florida’s colleges and universities
• Eligibility for participation in student loan debt forgiveness program
• Participation in one of the best group health insurance and dental plans
• One of the most secure pension/investment plans

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED