Juvenile Justice Detention Officer I - 80053391

State of Florida • Cocoa, FL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is focused on enhancing 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, or have received a dishonorable discharge from the Armed Forces.
• Any person who, after September 30, 1999, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to or is found guilty of any felony or a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement is not eligible for employment.
• Abide by all provisions of s. 985.644 (1), regarding fingerprinting and background investigations and other screening requirements.
• Execute and submit an affidavit-of-application form attesting to compliance with requirements.
• Knowledge of department policies and procedures for the care, custody, and control of youth.
• Knowledge of facility operating procedures.
• Knowledge of safety procedures and conducting strip searches.
• Knowledge of good hygiene and housekeeping tasks relating to maintaining the sanitary conditions of the facility.
• Skills in recognizing signs of potential suicide or depression and changes in youth’s behavior.
• Skills in addressing issues of youth who are experiencing problems.
• Ability to determine the appropriate level of use of force.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback to correct behavior.
• Ability to use conflict management skills.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide rational numbers.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing.
• Ability to effectively work with youth, co-workers, supervisors and the public.
• Must be agreeable to working shift schedules, including rotating shifts, evenings, weekends, and holidays with varying days off.
• Must be able to work unplanned overtime or unscheduled double shifts when necessary.
• All prospective candidates will be subject to a sex offender check, criminal background checks (state, local, and national) and pre-employment drug screening for direct care positions.
• DJJ participates in E-VERIFY (Employment Eligibility).
• A valid driver’s license is required.
• If initially hired with an out-of-state license, the Florida resident must obtain a valid Florida state driver’s license within 30 days of hire.
• Licenses suspended or revoked for any reason, work permits (Business purpose/Employment/education only licenses) and some types of restricted licenses are not acceptable.
• Licenses that have Corrective Lenses Restriction are acceptable, provided the driver wears corrective lenses while operating the vehicle.
• Positions that include the transportation of youth require a valid driver’s license and a three-years acceptable driving record.
• Successful candidate must be certified in accordance with the Department direct care training policy, and must obtain such certification within 180 days of employment.
• For candidates not currently in the state system as a direct-care worker for DJJ, the top-ranking candidate(s) will be required to take and pass an Ergometric’s IMPACT Assessment and Training Test.

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.
• Promote a culture that sustains 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.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentoring to youth.
• 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.
• 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 offered by any employer.
• One of the most secure pension/investment plans available.

What This Job Offers

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