Youth Corrections Officer - Extra-Help

County of Mendocino•Ukiah, CA

12d•Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Youth Corrections Officer supervises and provides for the custody, care, safety, treatment, recreation, and daily activities of youth detained in the Mendocino County Juvenile Hall. Incumbents are Peace Officers as defined by Penal Code Section 830.5. Applicants must be at least 21 years old at appointment and must pass a detailed background investigation. Evening, night, and weekend work may be required. This recruitment is for temporary, non-benefited extra-help employment only; hours are not guaranteed, and employment is generally limited to six months, with exceptions for seasonal, intermittent, on-call, or specific-project assignments. The position involves monitoring and supporting youth in the facility, responding to behavioral and crisis situations, maintaining records and reports, coordinating with justice and social-service stakeholders, and carrying out facility security and daily operations. The role may require making emergency decisions and physically restraining youth. Bilingual English/Spanish applicants are encouraged to apply.

Requirements

High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
No related experience required.
Valid driver's license.
Complete Penal Code 832 within the first year of job assignment.
Complete the Board of State and Community Corrections (BSCC) Standards and Training for Corrections (STC) Juvenile Corrections Officer Core Course, or an applicable BSCC-defined substitution, within the first year of job assignment.
Meet physical and psychological standards and pass a detailed background investigation.
Be at least 21 years old at appointment.
Knowledge of methods and techniques for dealing with individuals in custody, including behavioral counseling techniques; first aid; applicable laws and regulations; arrest, search, and seizure procedures; the County Court system and procedures; relevant computer applications and hardware; and recordkeeping, report preparation, filing, and records management.
Skill in preparing clear and concise reports and correspondence; using tact, discretion, initiative, and independent judgment within established guidelines; organizing work, setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and following up with minimal direction; applying logical thinking to problems and interpreting and communicating policies and procedures; and communicating effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships; maintain orderly conduct among youth; make quick, effective, reasonable decisions in emergencies and take appropriate action, including physically restraining violent youth; write reports and correspondence; solve practical problems with limited standardization; and define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Meet the position’s physical demands, including regularly standing, walking, running, sitting, reaching, using manual dexterity, handling objects, climbing, jumping and/or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, speaking and hearing, and using shape, sound, odor, and color perception and discrimination; occasionally lift and/or move over 50 pounds and detain and/or physically restrain youth.
Maintain all required licenses, certifications, registrations, and other qualifications within specified timeframes as conditions of continued employment.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual English/Spanish.

Responsibilities

Book youth into the facility, assign rooms, orient new arrivals, issue supplies, and process discharges or transfers.
Assess whether youth may be at risk of suicide or self-harm and require professional evaluation.
Monitor youth behavior while they travel to and from school, use the cafeteria, occupy living units, shower, receive visitors, and participate in outside recreation.
Refer youth in crisis to appropriate specialists.
Explain, monitor, and reinforce facility rules, policies, and procedures.
Receive, maintain, and account for youth property; return or send property upon discharge; and maintain written records.
Search youth for prohibited possessions, contraband, weapons, or narcotics; inspect youth quarters; and direct cleaning to maintain sanitation, order, and safety.
Encourage acceptable attitudes and behavior, confer with supervisors or officers about behavioral and other problems, and hold youth accountable for their behavior.
Communicate with Probation Officers, attorneys, law enforcement, and social-service agencies regarding youth cases.
Write incident and crime reports, as well as special reports for Probation Officers and courts when requested.
Counsel youth and/or their families, develop treatment plans with behavioral goals, and conduct group sessions to resolve conflicts and structure shift activities.
Dispense medically cleared prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Transport youth to medical appointments, court, other locations, or other facilities.
Perform laundry duties as required.
Anticipate and help prevent problems; assist in suppressing and controlling incidents; and report incidents as prescribed.
Use a computer to enter and retrieve information; maintain daily logs and records related to school attendance, medical treatment, unusual incidents, and youth counts and locations; and write reports about youth activities and behavior.
Answer inquiries from criminal justice stakeholders, program providers, and family members.
Attend staff and other meetings.
Assume responsibility for unit operation and security when the regular supervisor is unavailable.
Perform other related duties as assigned.