Juvenile Detention Officer

Island County; Coupeville (WA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 47,000; Full time

Job summary

Island County Detention Center seeks a Juvenile Detention Officer to supervise and care for detained youths under minimal supervision. You will help maintain a safe environment, document daily movements, and coordinate with guardians, attorneys, and law enforcement.

The role requires counseling and mentoring youth, managing intake and transport tasks, and ensuring compliance with all security protocols. A background check, medical/psych evaluations, and a valid WA driver’s license are required.

Qualifications

• Must pass background checks and medical/psych evaluations including a polygraph and drug test.
• Cannabis use in the past 6 months disqualifies applicants.
• High school diploma or GED and relevant youth-related experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and care for detained juveniles under minimal supervision.
• Maintain safety and security in the detention environment.
• Interview, book, and admit or release juveniles per procedures; document daily activities.
• Operate surveillance and life-safety systems; monitor youth health and mood.
• Communicate with parents, guardians, attorneys, and law enforcement as needed.
• Provide crisis counseling and mentor youth to foster positive behavior change.
• Prepare incident reports and supervise juveniles in activities and transport as required.
• Ensure confidentiality and professional conduct; meet health and grooming needs of youths.

Skills

Communication skills

Crisis counseling

Mentoring youth

Observation/reporting

Defensive tactics

Driving

Job description

Employee is responsible for the supervision and care of juveniles detained in the Island County Detention Center. The employee functions under minimal supervision and maintains a safe and secure work environment for detainees and other detention officers. Follows the established guidelines and procedures, and document daily activities/movements.

Upon job offer, applicant must be able to pass a background check, physical examination, polygraph examination, drug test and a psychological evaluation. Background checks through NCIC and is subject to annual review.

Salary within range is dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Hourly pay:

JDO1: $28.84 - $31.06

JDO2: $31.47 - $33.89

• Perform intake functions according to established procedures including interviewing, booking and establishing criteria for admittance or release from detention and submit recommendations to Detention supervisor; during the intake procedure, provide information regarding the rules and regulations of the detention facility.
• Maintain visual supervision of youth in an assigned residential unit/functional area, with attention to their physical whereabouts, health and emotional moods.
• Operate electronic audio/video surveillance equipment and other life support/security systems.
• Contact parents or legal guardians of detained juveniles for release on recognizance; contact probation or parole counselor and attorneys and law enforcement professionals when appropriate.
• Crisis counseling, along with counseling juveniles in connection with their conduct, attitudes and relationships with each other.
• Actively engage with youth to contribute to positive behavior change through mentoring and instructing both life skills and social skill lessons.
• Assist with visitation procedures as needed and process the release of juveniles.
• Prepare detailed incident reports and submit them to the supervisor on a daily basis.
• Guide, direct, supervise and train juveniles in indoor activities and games. Must be able to lead groups and participate in physical activities via athletic and recreational with juveniles. At times guide juveniles in arts and crafts sessions. Monitor closely the behaviors and attitudes of detainees.
• Meet the general needs of the juvenile, such as health and physical needs and prepare and assist juveniles in personal grooming on a daily basis. Personal needs must be met by Juvenile Detention Officer of the same sex.
• Must be alert for and protect against escape, illness, sexual activities and physical abuse on a daily basis.
• Must be able to communicate with fellow Juvenile Detention officers and/or intake officers, on a daily basis.
• Fill out daily observation charts, checks lists, room checks lists, and other forms as required; and supervise cleanup details, on a daily basis.
• Use appropriate physical force and restraint techniques to subdue and restrain detainees and perform interventions as required; achieve and maintain proficiency in application and use of defensive tactics and physical agility.
• Operate motor vehicles to escort and transport juvenile detainees to other facilities or institutions as required.

• Familiarity with tools, instruments, equipment and techniques commonly used in the performance of related tasks.
• Maintain a high standard for accuracy, completeness and efficiency in the preparation of reports and information.
• Ability to quickly grasp new techniques, deal with rapid changes in events, remain calm in stressful situations, relate to various personality styles in a professional manner.
• Effectively communicate with others for purposes of gathering and providing information.
• Understand the need for maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information.
• Independent and self-motivated to complete required deadlines while simultaneously completing other tasks.

All applicants must pass:

• Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission Physical Ability Test (PAT) standard. 10 push-ups in 90 seconds, 12 sit ups in 90 seconds, and 15 squat thrusts in 3 minutes.
• Must complete and pass a criminal background check.
• Drug test, polygraph examination, and a psychological evaluation.
• Candidate must not have consumed cannabis in the 6 months prior to applying.

The following physical demands would exist in the everyday duties of this position:

• Standing (30%), Walking (40%), Sitting (30%); lifting and/or carrying (25 lbs.) – charts, clothing, etc.
• The ability to physically restrain a detainee by placing handcuffs and leg cuffs on juveniles.
• Reaching to retain objects in high places; stooping and/or kneeling to search or check under chairs, tables, etc. (for contraband);
• Speaking and hearing in order to communicate with juveniles; sight in order to maintain security of the facility and juveniles.

• Must be 21 years of age at the time of appointment.
• Free ofanyconvictions with sexual motivation,illegal drug-related or alcohol-related crimes, crimes involving the use of a firearm,violent offenses,or a crime involving the commission of domestic violence.
• Must provide a valid Washington State Driver’s License or obtain one by the time of employment.
• High School diploma or GED and experience as described below.

Lived experience as defined as previous involvement with the criminal legal system and/or a current or previous recipient of behavioral health services. This must be identified through the application process by including it in your application, in your cover letter/resume, or by contacting management after your application has been submitted.

Volunteer/employment experience in working with youth.

Qualifications for JDO II

• Minimum 2 years working with youth in a professional capacity.
• Create new and instruct life skills to youth.
• Successfully complete probationary period (for those hired as JDO I).

Island County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.