Juvenile Detention Technician

Douglas County (NE); Nebraska; On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Douglas County in Nebraska seeks a custody/control professional to support the security and operations of a correctional facility. The role involves monitoring surveillance systems, escorting detainees and visitors, responding to emergencies, and maintaining secure logs on a 24/7 schedule.

Required: high school diploma or equivalent, 21+ years old, 1 year of college in Criminal Justice related field, valid driver’s license, and successful background checks including random drug testing.

Qualifications

• High school graduation or equivalent required.
• One year of college level studies in Criminal Justice, Behavioral Sciences, Sociology or Psychology required.
• Twenty-one (21) years of age or older required.
• Valid driver's license and own transportation required.
• Random drug testing required.
• Pre-employment criminal record check and drug screen required.

Responsibilities

• Maintain internal and external security of facility on assigned shift by monitoring and operating surveillance equipment to control movement within and around the facility.
• Escort visitors and other authorized personnel within the facility.
• Escort and assure custody of detainees in transit.
• Respond to emergencies and take appropriate action.
• Regularly inspect assigned unit and detainees to ensure safety and security.
• Maintain logs, reports, and other documentation; answer telephone calls and manage access control.
• Attend meetings, trainings, and other required sessions.
• Operate a motor vehicle on county business when required.

Skills

Surveillance monitoring

Escort procedures

Public interactions

Emergency response

Education

High school diploma

Criminal Justice coursework

Tools

Surveillance equipment

Communication devices

Job description

Incumbent works under the direction of the Douglas County Youth Superintendent or designee performing varied duties in the areas of control room operations and escort functions. Assures strict adherence to established rules, regulations and security procedures.

• Maintain internal and external security of facility on assigned shift by monitoring and operating surveillance equipment to control movement within and around the facility.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with clients, supervisors, County employees, elected officials, attorneys, law enforcement, judges, other agencies, and the public.
• Comply with Civil Service policies and regulations, collective bargaining agreements, County policies, department policies and laws to create a cooperative, safe, respectful and quality work environment.
• Provide positive reinforcement for detainees when appropriate, and serve as a role-model for appropriate behavior.
• Regularly inspect assigned unit and personal inspections of detainees to ensure the safety of detainees and security of the facility (e.g. contraband, hazards, damage, security breaches).
• Respond immediately to emergencies, restraining or restricting the action of combative or disruptive detainees using only necessary force.
• Maintain current knowledge of policies and procedures including regulatory and accreditation requirements, state statutes and Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) regulations.
• Cover staff breaks, lunches, and trainings.
• Report unusual behavior, conditions or activities to Duty Supervisor.
• Conform to all aspects of control duties (e.g. control and distribute keys to authorized personnel, maintain log for keys, complete reports, logs and other documentation, answer and direct telephone calls, test surveillance equipment and alert buttons).
• Escort visitors and other authorized personnel within the facility.
• Escort and assure custody of detainees in transit (e.g. court appearances, hospital or other medical facilities, other correctional institutions, outside appointments).
• Respond to medical emergencies, consult with supervisor, and take appropriate action.
• Conduct shakedown of designated areas; strip search detainees during check-in procedures and upon return from outside appointments (e.g. medical visits, court appearances).
• Monitor and oversee visitations, reporting any unusual activities.
• Enforce policies and practices professionally, making decisions objectively and taking appropriate actions.
• Provide crisis intervention and referral services.
• Attend meetings, training sessions, seminars, workshops, etc.
• Safely operate a motor vehicle when required to travel on County business.
• Report to work with regular, consistent attendance.
• Perform other related duties as assigned and directed.

• High school graduation or equivalent required.
• One (1) year of college level studies in Criminal Justice, Behavioral Sciences, Sociology or Psychology required.*
• Twenty-one (21) years of age or older required.
• Valid driver’s license and own transportation upon hire and maintained throughout employment required.
• Random drug testing required.
• Completion of a pre-employment criminal record check and conditional offer drug screen required.
• *Equivalent work experience/education may be substituted for requirements on a year-for-year basis.

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work is generally performed inside a correctional setting on an assigned shift supporting a 24/7 operation. Noise level is usually quiet to loud. Work may vary (e.g. weekends, holidays, overtime/extra hours, and emergency call-in). Work may involve exposure to biohazards. Work may be stressful when interacting with offender populations and when dealing with family members or critical situations.
• Work requires some physical activity including extended periods of standing and walking, frequent climbing, and occasional sitting, running, balancing, kneeling, bending, and reaching. Work also requires the ability to frequently lift/carry/push/pull/grip objects weighing up to 20 pounds and occasionally up to 200 pounds.
• Required sensory abilities include vision, hearing and touch. Visual abilities, correctable to normal ranges, include close, distance and color and peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Communication abilities include the ability to talk and hear within normal ranges. Incumbents must possess the hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate computers and other equipment.