Juvenile Justice Detention Officer I - 80003968

State of Florida • Jacksonville, FL

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is seeking dedicated individuals to serve as Juvenile Justice Detention Officers. This role is crucial for enhancing public safety by ensuring a safe and secure environment for troubled youth in a structured setting. DJJ aims to hold youth accountable for their actions while fostering a culture of dignity and respect, providing the right services at the right time to help them become productive citizens. As a detention officer, you will often be the first DJJ employee to interact with juvenile offenders, making leadership, coaching, mentoring, and a desire to work with youth essential qualities for this position.

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.
• Not 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.
• Recognize signs of potential suicide or depression and changes in youth’s behavior.
• Address 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 prepared for unplanned overtime or unscheduled double shifts.
• Pass a sex offender check, criminal background checks (state, local, and national) and pre-employment drug screening.
• Participate in E-VERIFY (Employment Eligibility).
• Possess a valid driver’s license (if required for the position).
• Obtain a valid Florida state driver’s license within 30 days of hire if initially hired with an out-of-state license (if applicable).
• Have a three-years acceptable driving record (if transporting youth).
• Be certified in accordance with the Department direct care training policy and obtain such certification within 180 days of employment.
• Pass an Ergometric’s IMPACT Assessment and Training Test (for candidates not currently in the state system).

Nice To Haves

• Leadership qualities.
• Coaching abilities.
• Mentoring skills.
• 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.
• Prepare and maintain reports and records relating to the supervision of youth.
• Conduct strip searches.
• Perform good hygiene and housekeeping tasks relating to maintaining 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
• 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