POSITION:  Detention Officer

DEPARTMENT:  Probate Court/ Juvenile Justice Center

WORK SCHEDULE: SECOND SHIFT 3:00 PM-11:00 PM

JOB CATEGORY: POLE (Protective Occupations, Law Enforcement)

SALARY: $45,919/year

STATUS:  Full-time

FLSA STATUS:  Non-exempt

DATES: Open until date closed/filled

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities required. St. Joseph County provides reasonable accommodations to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job unless those accommodations would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Detention Officer for the St. Joseph Probate Court/Juvenile Justice Center, responsible for providing care and security for residents at the St. Joseph Probate Court/Juvenile Justice Center.  Meeting the physical and emotional needs of all residents.  Possessing the ability to perform any tasks necessary and requested for the overall operation of the agency.

Benefits

Affordable Medical, Dental, and Vision Plans

Paid Time Off (PTO) with generous accruals

Employer Paid Life Insurance coverage

Short-Term and Long-Term Disability (STD/LTD)

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care

Gym Membership Discounts to encourage wellness

Employer-Funded PERF (Public Employees' Retirement Fund)

Access to additional voluntary benefits and resources

Responsibilities

Provides orientation for new residents.

Assists in training new employees.

Checks on residents in rooms every 15 minutes, with closer intervals if situation warrants.

Searches all rooms for contraband.

Provides immediate crisis intervention for distraught, suicidal or violent residents.

Disciplines residents consistently and fairly for misbehavior.

Ability to conduct themselves as a positive role model for juveniles by demonstrating values of respect, responsibility, tolerance and acceptance.

Must possess good verbal communication skills in order to effectively lead and facilitate group presentations and discussions in youth self-improvement classes. Successful officers have the ability to motivate juveniles by relating lessons taught to real life situations; i.e., encouraging youth to think through their options before they act and the consequences of those options chosen.

Qualifications

Minimum age 21.

Education/Experience

Bachelor’s degree preferred, High School Diploma or equivalent required.

Prior training or experience in dealing with adolescents preferred.

Physical Requirements

This is a locked, secure, jail-like environment housing juveniles who are charged with delinquent acts, many of which are violent such as battery, robbery and murder.  The safety of this community, as well as our staff and residents depend upon Detention Officers who have the ability to act quickly, responsibly, and fairly, with compassion, consistency, and control.

Work is performed on carpeted and cement floors.  There is a considerable amount of walking in the center to escort juveniles from one area to another and to monitor rooms every 4 to 15 minutes.  Detention staff must possess the ability to visually inspect a cell room through the door window before entry. 

Physical confrontations with residents and cleaning require physical fitness, endurance, a moderate amount of strength and mental awareness.  Officers must be physically able to subdue a resident who is fighting or out of control.  This may include physical restraint, handcuffing, use of pepper spray, and transporting the juvenile to a more restrictive environment when necessary.