Juvenile Justice Detention Officer I - 80080544

State of Florida • Crestview, FL

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Juvenile Justice Detention Officer I works at the Okaloosa Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Crestview, Florida, providing a safe and secure environment for youth in a structured setting. The position supports public safety and the Department of Juvenile Justice’s goal of delivering effective services to youth and families while promoting accountability, dignity, and respect. Officers are often the first Department employees to interact with juvenile offenders and are expected to lead, coach, and mentor youth.

The facility operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, year-round. Employees must be able to work assigned shift schedules, including rotating shifts, evenings, weekends, and holidays, with varying days off. Unplanned overtime or unscheduled double shifts may sometimes be necessary. Candidates are subject to background and sex-offender checks and pre-employment drug screening. The successful candidate must obtain direct-care certification within 180 days of employment. Candidates not already working as direct-care staff in the state system may be required to pass an Ergometric IMPACT Assessment and Training Test after the interview phase.

Applicants must be at least 19 years old, have a high school diploma or equivalent, meet the specified criminal-history and military-discharge criteria, comply with fingerprinting and background-screening requirements, and submit the required sworn affidavit. A valid driver’s license is required only when identified in the position description; positions involving youth transportation require a valid license and three years of acceptable driving history.

Requirements

• Be at least 19 years of age.
• Be a high school graduate or hold an equivalent credential as determined by the department.
• Meet statutory criminal-history eligibility requirements, including no disqualifying felony or misdemeanor conviction involving perjury or a false statement, and no dishonorable discharge from the U.S. Armed Forces.
• Comply with fingerprinting, background-investigation, and other screening requirements.
• Execute and submit the required sworn affidavit of application attesting to compliance with statutory requirements.
• Have knowledge of Department policies and procedures for the care, custody, and control of youth, and facility operating procedures.
• Have knowledge of safety procedures and conducting strip searches.
• Have skills in recognizing signs of potential suicide or depression and changes in youth behavior, and addressing problems experienced by youth.
• Be able to determine appropriate levels of force, provide constructive behavioral feedback, and use conflict-management skills.
• Be able to prepare and maintain supervision reports and records.
• Be able to add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational numbers.
• Be able to communicate orally and in writing and work effectively with youth, coworkers, supervisors, and the public.
• Agree to work shift schedules, including rotating shifts, evenings, weekends, and holidays; unplanned overtime or unscheduled double shifts may be necessary.
• Obtain Department direct-care certification within 180 days of employment.
• Pass required background and sex-offender checks and, for direct-care positions, pre-employment drug screening.
• Candidates not currently in the state system as DJJ direct-care workers may be required to pass the Ergometric IMPACT Assessment and Training Test.
• For positions involving transportation of youth, hold a valid driver’s license and have three years of acceptable driving history.

Responsibilities

• Provide a safe and secure environment for youth in a structured setting.
• Promote youth accountability while maintaining a culture of dignity and respect.
• Lead, coach, and mentor youth.
• Recognize signs of potential suicide or depression and changes in youth behavior.
• Address issues experienced by youth.
• Determine the 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.
• Maintain sanitary facility conditions through good hygiene and housekeeping tasks.

Benefits

• 104 hours of paid vacation annually.
• 96 hours of paid sick leave annually, with unlimited accrual of unused hours.
• Nine paid holidays and one personal day each year.
• Six paid credit hours per term at Florida colleges and universities.
• Eligible participation in a student loan debt forgiveness program.
• Access to group health insurance and dental plans.
• Participation in a pension/investment plan.
• Veterans’ Preference for eligible candidates in Career Service vacancies.

What This Job Offers

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