JUVENILE JUSTICE DETENTION OFFICER I - 80003940

State of Florida • Brandon, FL

19h • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) aims to enhance public safety through high-quality effective services for youth and families, delivered by world-class professionals dedicated to building a stronger, safer Florida. Working as a juvenile justice detention officer is one of the most rewarding and challenging career opportunities. The primary responsibility of an officer 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 in 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 essential qualities.

Requirements

• Be at least 19 years of age.
• Be a high school graduate or its equivalent as determined by the department.
• 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, adopted by the Department, attesting to his or her compliance with subparagraphs 1-4.
• Knowledge of Department policies and procedures 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 appropriate level of use of force.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback to correct behavior and use of conflict management skills.
• Ability to prepare and maintain reports and records relating to the supervision of youth.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide rational numbers.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing and 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.
• Subject to a sex offender check, criminal background checks (state, local, and national) and pre-employment drug screening for direct care positions.
• A valid driver’s license is required if identified on a position description. 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.
• For positions that include the transportation of youth: (1) a valid driver’s license; and (2) three-years acceptable driving record as defined in FDJJ Policy 1920.
• 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 at the time of application, the top-ranking candidate(s) after the interview phase will be required to take and pass an Ergometric’s IMPACT Assessment and Training Test.

Responsibilities

• Ensure public safety by providing a safe and secure environment for troubled youth in a structured setting.
• Interact with juvenile offenders.
• Contribute to shaping youth to become productive citizens in society by providing appropriate services.
• Determine appropriate level of use of force.
• Provide constructive feedback to correct behavior and use conflict management skills.
• Prepare and maintain reports and records relating to the supervision of youth.
• Add, subtract, multiply and divide rational numbers.
• Communicate both orally and in writing and to effectively work with youth, co-workers, supervisors and the public.
• Provide care, custody and control of youth.
• Conduct strip searches.
• Maintain the sanitary conditions of the facility.

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 - affordable payments and possible balance elimination.
• 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