JUVENILE JUSTICE DETENTION OFFICER I - 80080237

State of Florida • Cocoa, FL

3d • Onsite

About The Position

Working as a juvenile justice detention officer is one of the most rewarding and challenging career opportunities in the State of Florida. As an officer, your primary responsibility is to ensure public safety by providing a safe and secure environment for troubled youth in a structured setting. At DJJ, we expect youth to be accountable for their criminal actions while striving to sustain a culture that promotes dignity and respect. Our goal is to treat each youth in our care as an individual by providing the right services, at the right time, in order to shape youth to become productive citizens in society. As a detention officer, you are most often the first DJJ employee to interact with juvenile offenders. Therefore, leadership, coaching, mentoring, and a desire to work with youth are qualities that are essential.

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, or have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States.
• 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 requirements.
• Recognizing signs of potential suicide or depression and changes in youth’s behavior.
• Addressing issues of youth who are experiencing problems.
• Determine appropriate level of use of force.
• Provide constructive feedback to correct behavior and use of conflict management skills.
• Add, subtract, multiply and divide rational numbers.
• Communicate both orally and in writing.
• Effectively work with youth, co-workers, supervisors and the public.
• Be agreeable to working shift schedules, including rotating shifts, evenings, weekends, and holidays with varying days off.
• Be agreeable to working unplanned overtime or unscheduled double shifts when necessary.
• Possess a valid driver’s license.
• Have a three-years acceptable driving record if transporting youth.
• Obtain certification in accordance with the Department direct care training policy within 180 days of employment.

Nice To Haves

• Leadership qualities.
• Coaching abilities.
• Mentoring abilities.
• 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.
• Treat each youth as an individual by providing the right services, at the right time.
• Interact with juvenile offenders.
• Prepare and 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
• Eligible 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