Juvenile Corrections Officer

Spokane, County of (WA); Spokane (WA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Spokane County Juvenile Detention Center seeks an entry-level Juvenile Corrections Officer to ensure health, safety and security for youth in a 24-hour facility. You will supervise, monitor and provide care while working with Detention Shift Supervisors and the Juvenile Court Management team.

The role emphasizes role-modeling, group/individual discussions, and coordination with Probation, Medical, Education and Court staff to manage behavior, admissions, releases, and emergencies, including

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Minimum 1 year experience in corrections or youth settings.
• Valid WA driver's license required.
• Complete Corrections Officer Academy within 6 months.
• Food Worker Card valid in WA.
• First Aid/CPR/AED certification required.
• Must be at least 21 years old at hire.
• Must pass background checks and medical screenings.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and care for juveniles in a 24-hour detention setting.
• Lead discussions and teach classes to promote lawful behavior.
• Respond to crises, de-escalate and use restraints when needed.
• Maintain security of building and coordinate with staff.
• Document incidents and prepare meals or perform basic duties.
• Escort youth to court and monitor daily activities.

Skills

Youth behavior

Juvenile justice system

Word processing

Group dynamics

Crisis intervention

Documentation

Communication with youth/parents

Professional boundaries

Shift flexibility

Education

High School Diploma or GED

1 year in corrections or youth setting

Valid Washington Driver’s License

Corrections Officer Academy within 6 months

Washington Food Workers Card

First Aid, CPR and AED certification

21 years of age

Criminal background check, polygraph, medical tests

Job description

The position allocated to this class is an entry-level position responsible for the health and welfare, safety and security of juveniles detained at the Juvenile Detention Center. Duties include supervising, monitoring, and providing care for juvenile offenders and other court-involved youth in a confined, 24-hour maximum security facility. Work is assigned, scheduled and evaluated under the general direction of Detention Shift Supervisors and in conjunction with the Juvenile Court Management team.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Serves as a positive role model for juveniles detained at the center.
• Leads group and individual discussions; teaches classes to encourage law abiding behavior; reports on behavior of youth; and works in coordination with Probation staff, Medical and Treatment staff, Teachers, Community Agencies, Judges, Prosecutors and Defense Attorneys.
• Searches (pat downs and strip) and removes personal property.
• Reviews social files and gathers information to establish criteria for admittance or release from detention; and completes the appropriate forms.
• Contacts parents, guardians, caseworker, probation counselor or parole counselor; and consults with supervisor on releases and shift problems.
• Provides orientation on facility rules and regulations.
• Provides for health, safety and recreation needs of juveniles in the Juvenile Detention Facility.
• Checks security of building, doors and windows; and maintains the safety and security of juveniles while detained.
• Oversees youth movement, including meals, showers, room clean up, school, physical training and recreational activities while maintaining safety and security for youth and staff.
• Provides positive individual and group supervision of juveniles participating in programming and attending to their needs.
• Escorts youth to and from court while providing security in court.
• Follows medical orders when dispensing medication to juvenile offenders.
• Speaks with and de-escalates youth in crisis while maintaining safety and security; intervenes in emergency or crisis situations; and uses physical restraint as necessary to restore order.
• Maintains and submits written documentation of all incidents concerning youth.
• Performs janitorial and maintenance tasks related to maintaining physical condition of building; and performs laundry duties.
• Performs admission and release functions; and maintains records.
• Serves and occasionally prepares meals; and orders kitchen food and cleaning supplies.
• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent.
• One (1) year working in adult corrections or with youth in a setting such as detention, probation/parole, residential care, recreation, education, community center, institutional, counseling, or a related area required.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Washington Driver’s License.
• Applicants selected for Juvenile Corrections Officer positions will be required to successfully complete the two (2) week Washington State Criminal justice Training Commission Corrections Officer Academy within the first six (6) months after appointment or within their probationary period.
• Must possess and maintain a valid Washington State Food Workers Card.
• First Aid, CPR and AED certification required.
• Must be at least 21 years of age at time of hire, and successfully pass a criminal background check, polygraph test, physical examination, physical abilities test, and drug test.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of group and individual behavior patterns of youth.
• Knowledge of the juvenile justice system.
• Skilled in basic computer word processing and data entry.
• Skilled in group dynamics, diplomacy and persuasion.
• Skilled in writing clear, concise and accurate documentation.
• Ability to read, comprehend and enforce, in a positive manner, facility rules and regulations;
• Ability to intervene in a crisis situation and use physical restraint to restore order and calm residents.
• Ability to communicate orally with youth and parents in a manner that will gain their respect and confidence.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with staff, all elements of the criminal justice system, social and community agencies and the public.
• Ability to follow established policies and procedures.
• Ability to be a positive role model to detained youth and convey a professional image in appearance and demeanor.
• Ability to strictly adhere to professional boundaries, Juvenile Court and County policies and procedures.
• Ability to adapt to shift work, including day, evening and weekend hours.

BEHAVIORAL STANDARDS

All County employees are responsible for contributing to a safe and positive work environment, actively demonstrating the County values in their daily work and interactions:

• Respect: Appreciating and valuing customers, other County employees and County leadership by showing courtesy, friendliness and fairness. Communicating in a productive and professional manner.
• Accountability: Honoring and delivering on commitments by taking responsibility for personal actions and results; being a responsible steward of public resources and the trust County residents have placed in each of us.
• Integrity: Modelling transparent and ethical behavior and demonstrating it with honest and trustworthy behaviors and actions; leading by example and performing work to the highest standards.
• Innovation: Striving for excellence by actively pursuing opportunities for new and improved methods, procedures or technologies; fostering an environment of engagement and empowerment and embracing continuous improvement.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• The work environment is primarily inside, where the noise and temperature levels are moderate.
• Work is also performed out outdoors; and may require occasional travel within the County, exposing the associate to weather extremes, various forms of precipitation and the hazards

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. As every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may reasonably be considered incidental in the performing of their duties as though they were included in this job description.