Detention Specialist

Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center; Alexandria (VA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

401(k) matching

Dental insurance

Employee assistance program

Flexible spending account

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Retirement plan

Vision insurance

Job summary

Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center is seeking a Detention Specialist to provide direct care and security for detainees in our facility. You will work under the supervision of the Assistant Shift Supervisor and Shift Supervisor to ensure safety and well-being while following center policies and procedures.

The role requires careful documentation, timely hand reads, and collaboration with staff to manage daily activities, logs, and detainee conditions.

Responsibilities

• Upon arrival, establish arrival time per the hand reader.
• Read and initial daily logs; check room assignment board to determine detainee count and whereabouts.
• Read SIRs and other behavioral information pertinent to detainees' behavior.
• Discuss detainee behavior with Shift Supervisor and staff.
• Supervise detainees in classrooms, recreation, meals; ensure security and safety.
• Complete intakes and releases as per Detention Center Policy.
• Assign and supervise detainees in housekeeping tasks (beds, rooms, cleaning).
• Maintain daily log of intakes/releases, medication, unusual behavior, SIRs, and other items per policy.
• Maintain discipline and monitor detainees; intervene when needed per policy.
• Employ basic counseling to relieve detainees' anxieties within the facility.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Job description

Job Description

The Detention Specialist work involves providing direct care to detainees in the custody of the Northern Virginia Juvenile Detention Center. The primary responsibilities for the position are to provide security, safety and care for juveniles. The Detention Specialist shall receive direct supervision by the Assistant Shift Supervisor and Shift Supervisor.

Duties And Responsibilities Of The Position

• Upon arrival, establish arrival time per the hand reader.
• Read and initial daily logs, check the room assignment board to establish the number of detainees in custody and their whereabouts, i.e., out of the building, court, placement interviews, etc;
• Read SIRs and other behavioral information pertinent to the detainees' behavior;
• Discuss pertinent information regarding detainee’s behavior with the Shift Supervisor, coworkers and the Detention Specialist whom the staff is relieving;
• As per assignment, supervise the detainees in the classrooms, clean up, recreation, and during the meal time, assuring security and safety of the detainees and coworkers;
• As per assignment, complete intakes and releases of detainees as established by Detention Center Policy and Procedure;
• Assign and supervise detainees in the daily housekeeping tasks, i.e., making the bed, cleaning the room, mopping, disinfecting the sink and toilet, cleaning the window in the door. Assure that all material not expressly allowed in the room is removed by the detainee. Supervise the detainees in other cleanups at the completion of activities;
• Assist in maintaining a daily log of intakes and releases, administering of medication, logging of unusual behavior, completion in detail of SIRs, and other pertinent items of information as delineated by the Detention Center's Policy and Procedures;
• Maintain discipline and control of the detainees; and observe detainee constantly to detect potentially dangerous or deceptive acts. Intervene with detainee when situation dictates, utilizing the appropriate interventions as delineated by Detention Center Policy and Procedures;
• Employs basic counseling skills to help relieve detainees' anxieties and tensions, but limited to the current situation within the detention facility; and
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance