Juvenile Detention Officer Trainee - Transitional

Connecticut Judicial Branch; Hartford (CT); On-site; USD 43,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The Connecticut Judicial Branch is seeking entry level Juvenile Detention Officer Trainee to work with youth ages 12–18 in multiple locations statewide, including Hartford and Bridgeport. The role focuses on care, custody, safety, and security within a juvenile detention setting.

Selected candidates will undergo pre-service training, background checks, physicals, and drug screening, with overtime possible and shift-based salary ranges.

Qualifications

• One year of experience in correctional work or supervision of adolescents, or related area.
• Substitutions allowed: 15 semester hours equals half a year of experience.

Responsibilities

• supervise daily activities of detainees
• maintain security and order
• document detainee behavior and health information
• instruct detainees in personal hygiene
• intervene to control threatening behavior using approved restraint methods
• apply handcuffs and restraints when transporting detainees

Skills

Youth care

Security knowledge

Interpersonal skills

Education

College coursework in related field

Job description

Continuous Recruitment Statewide

Locations: Bridgeport and Hartford

The State of Connecticut Judicial Branch is seeking entry level applicants who enjoy working with youth and are interested in starting a career path as a Juvenile Detention Officer Trainee. Applicants must possess basic knowledge of the principles and practices involved in the mentoring, care, custody, safety, and security of adolescents involved with the juvenile justice system, who are typically between the ages of 12 and 18.

Duties

• supervision of the daily activities of detainees
• maintaining security
• overseeing and documenting detainee behavior, including information on detainee health, misconduct, abuse or potentially criminal conduct
• supervising and instructing detainees in matters of personal hygiene
• taking necessary action to intervene and control detainee behavior which is physically threatening using approved control and restraint methods
• maintaining order and discipline
• applying handcuffs and leg restraints for detainees being transported

Minimum Qualifications

One year of experience in performing correctional work or institutional supervision of adolescents, juveniles or young adults or comparable areas of prevention of juvenile delinquency. Substitutions allowed: College training in a closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one-half year of experience.

Applicants selected for interview will be required to complete a pre-employment physical, successfully pass a drug screening process as well as a criminal records check and a DCF background check. Selected candidates will be required to attend and pass all phases of an approximately 5-week pre-service training followed by a course of shadowing in the detention center. Skills to be acquired will include suicide prevention, CPR, First Aid, Safe Crisis Management, handcuffing, and other skills relevant to the care and custody of juveniles as well as the safety and security of Judicial Branch staff. The pre-service training will include the proper application of approved restraint techniques. Incumbents must possess and maintain a valid Connecticut motor vehicle operators license. Incumbents should be aware that there is a risk of injury from assaultive or abusive youth detainees and exposure to communicable diseases is possible.

Applicants must be able and willing to work evening and/or night shifts, weekends, and holidays. Mandatory overtime is likely. Positions will be full-time 40 hours.

Starting salary range is approximately $43,342 - $52,897/year for day shift positions or $45,485 - $55,040/year for night shift positions plus State of Connecticut benefits. New employees begin at the minimum. The starting salary for existing state employees may be higher than the minimum, in accordance with existing Judicial Branch policy.

The Judicial Branch offers Juvenile Detention Officer Trainee Transitionals the opportunity to advance in their job series during their first two of years of employment: Upon completion of 2080 hours as a Juvenile Detention Officer Trainee Transitional, individuals advance to Juvenile Detention Officer Trainee with a salary increase to Salary Grade 14, Step 1 ($57,692); upon completion of one year as a Juvenile Detention Officer Trainee, individuals advance to Juvenile Detention Officer with a salary increase to Salary Grade 16, Step 1 ($63,204).

The State of Connecticut Judicial Branch is committed to building a diverse workforce and encourages applications from female candidates.

Please reference posting number #JD-7000-001

EOE