JUVENILE JUSTICE DETENTION OFFICER I - 80003968

State of Florida • Jacksonville, FL

37d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Juvenile Justice is hiring multiple Juvenile Justice Detention Officers I for the Duval Regional Juvenile Detention Center in Jacksonville, Florida. The role is focused on enhancing public safety by providing a safe, secure, and structured environment for youth in detention. Officers are often the first DJJ employees to interact with juvenile offenders and are expected to promote accountability, dignity, and respect while supporting youth through leadership, coaching, and mentoring.

The position requires working in a 24/7/365 detention facility on shift schedules, including rotating shifts, evenings, weekends, and holidays, with varying days off. Unplanned overtime or unscheduled double shifts may sometimes be necessary. Candidates must meet Florida statutory eligibility requirements, pass required background and pre-employment screenings, and obtain direct-care certification within 180 days of employment.

Requirements

• Be at least 19 years of age.
• Be a high school graduate or have an equivalent credential as determined by the department.
• Have no disqualifying felony conviction or misdemeanor conviction involving perjury or a false statement, and have no dishonorable discharge from any Armed Forces of the United States, subject to the exceptions stated in the posting.
• Comply with fingerprinting, background investigation, and other screening requirements under Florida Statute 985.644(1).
• Execute and submit the department affidavit-of-application attesting to statutory eligibility and compliance.
• Knowledge of department policies and procedures and procedures for the care, custody, and control of youth.
• Knowledge of facility operating procedures and safety procedures, including conducting strip searches.
• Skill in recognizing possible suicide or depression and changes in youth behavior, and addressing issues of youth experiencing problems.
• Ability to determine an appropriate level of use of force and use conflict-management skills.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback to correct behavior.
• Ability to prepare and maintain reports and records relating to youth supervision.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide rational numbers.
• Ability to communicate orally and in writing and work effectively with youth, co-workers, supervisors, and the public.
• Agree to work rotating shifts, evenings, weekends, and holidays, with varying days off; unplanned overtime or unscheduled double shifts may be necessary.
• Pass sex offender and state, local, and national criminal background checks and pre-employment drug screening for direct-care positions.
• Obtain certification in accordance with the department's direct-care training policy within 180 days of employment.
• Candidates not currently working as a DJJ direct-care worker in the state system may be required, after interview, to pass the Ergometric IMPACT Assessment and Training Test.
• Complete all sections of the Candidate Profile accurately, including all periods of employment and non-employment with correct dates.
• If transportation of youth is part of the position, hold a valid driver's license and have three years of acceptable driving record; Florida residents hired with an out-of-state license must obtain a Florida license within 30 days.

Nice To Haves

• Veterans’ preference eligibility; candidates claiming preference must submit supporting documentation by the vacancy announcement closing date.
• Certain service members may be eligible for waivers of postsecondary educational requirements.

Responsibilities

• Ensure public safety by providing a safe and secure environment for youth in a structured setting.
• Support youth accountability while sustaining a culture that promotes dignity and respect.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentoring to youth.
• Apply department policies and facility operating procedures for the care, custody, and control of youth.
• Recognize signs of potential suicide or depression and changes in youth behavior.
• Address issues involving youth who are experiencing problems.
• Determine the appropriate level of use of force and use conflict-management skills.
• Provide constructive feedback to correct behavior.
• Prepare and maintain reports and records relating to youth supervision.
• Maintain facility sanitation 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 to participate in a student loan debt forgiveness program, with affordable payments and possible balance elimination.
• Group health insurance and dental plans.
• A pension/investment plan.

What This Job Offers

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