On-Call Juvenile Custody Services Specialist

Multnomah County•Portland, OR

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Community Justice (DCJ) Juvenile Detention is seeking committed, enthusiastic, and compassionate On-Call Juvenile Custody Services Specialists (JCSS) to serve a critical, operational role within the Juvenile Detention Facility. Working with culturally diverse juveniles, you will be responsible for the guidance, supervision, security, safety, and general care of youth who present a variety of behavioral, cognitive, emotional, and intellectual challenges. This work includes group and recreational programming, facilitation of cognitive skill groups, and fostering pro-social behavior. Documentation, accurate record keeping, and report writing are critical to this role. The detention facility uses an interactive model of supervision, placing particular emphasis on skill development, engaging youth in prosocial development, cognitive restructuring programming, leisure time activities, personal hygiene, and enrichment activities.

Requirements

Associate's degree or equivalent with major coursework in child psychology, sociology, or a related field, AND; Two (2) years of responsible experience working with at-risk youth (12-18) in one of the following environments (Bachelor's degree may substitute for 1 year of the required experience): Detention or youth correctional facility, Youth residential setting, Setting that provides programming for at-risk youth
Successful completion of a battery of psychological tests / psychological evaluation.
Physical ability to respond to crisis situations with the youth, including violent exchanges, and must regularly climb up and down stairs.
Must pass a thorough background investigation which includes, but is not limited to, a review of applicant’s criminal, civil, driving, military, educational and employment history prior to employment.
Valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field.
Group facilitation skills
Experience working in an alcohol and drug treatment facility or program
Experience working with justice involved youth (12-18)
Experience working in a mental health treatment facility or program
Exceptional skill with Google calendar / documents and electronic record keeping
Training or education in trauma informed care and adolescent brain development
Bilingual in Spanish and English

Responsibilities

Conduct behavior observations and assessments of individual youth detainees and groups of detained youth through active supervision which is the intentional and focused monitoring of youth in custody utilizing the components of movement within the environment, situational awareness, and frequent pro-social youth interactions.
Prepare detailed incident reports for incidents that occur, daily individual behavior summaries of youth, and both verbal and written daily unit and shift reports, individual youth records, and for juvenile counselors/workers and/or court purposes.
Assist with the intake process of juveniles into the facility and support preliminary hearings. Staff may be expected to collect and secure youth’s personal belongings, supervise and manage juveniles prior to screening to determine if youth will be admitted into the detention facility.
Ensure the safety and security of the detention facility at all times.
Deliver pro-social role modeling and facilitate skill-building activities for individual youth and groups of detained youth through skill groups with an emphasis on developing pro-social behaviors and skills.
Supervise volunteers and/or contractors while they facilitate skill-building activities for individual youth and groups of detained youth.
Assist with orientation of newly admitted youth to the juvenile detention facility by explaining facility rules and the facility behavior level system. Staff are expected to introduce youth to the structure of daily routines, outlining the expectations for behavior and providing information to youth on available programs and services. Staff will also ensure youth understand the importance of their safety, rights, and responsibilities within the detention facility.
Perform other duties as assigned.