Juvenile Service Officer

Sarpy County, NE; Papillion (NE); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Sarpy County in Nebraska is seeking a Juvenile Services Officer to supervise detained youths, manage intake and release decisions, and maintain secure conditions within the Holdover Facility. You will collaborate with staff, law enforcement, and attorneys while ensuring safety and order.

The role requires 21+ years old, a valid driver's license, and successful background checks. Prior experience with juveniles is preferred; strong communication and judgment are essential.

Qualifications

• Two years of college coursework in social services, criminal justice, psychology, sociology, teaching, or related area required.
• Experience working with juveniles preferred; equivalent training/work may be substituted.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate, direct and monitor daily activities of juveniles in the Holdover Facility.
• Maintain security, order and discipline to prevent disturbance and ensure safety.
• Perform intake, interviewing, booking and determine admittance or release criteria.
• Respond to detainee calls and route or handle requests; supervise during visits and manage restraints as needed.
• Document incidents, monitor locations, and report to the next shift with accurate records.

Skills

SOP knowledge

Independent judgment

Communication skills

English proficiency

Conflict intervention

Education

Two years college coursework in related field

Tools

Office equipment

Job description

GENERAL PURPOSE

Under the general supervision of the Shift Supervisor or designee, performs a variety of semi-skilled administrative and supervisory work for the juveniles detained or on release requiring moderate responsibility and independent judgment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

HOLDOVER FACILITY

• Coordinate, direct and monitor the daily activities of juveniles in the Holdover Facility.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, supervisors, County employees, elected officials, attorneys, law enforcement, judges, other agencies, and the general public.
• Maintain security, order and discipline to prevent disturbance, escapes and ensure the safety of residents, staff and the community.
• Perform intake and orientation functions according to established procedures including interviewing, booking and establishing criteria for admittance or release from detention.
• Search and remove personal property from detained youth providing approved clothing and hygiene articles and bed assignments.
• Maintain documentation of behavioral incidents and observation of residents and monitor residents physical location at all times.
• Review resident information from the previous shift and report activities to next shift.
• Ensure documentation (e.g., behavior, evaluations, booking sheets, etc.) on residents is up to date and accessible to staff.
• Ensure visitors are authorized and monitor activities during visiting hours, searching detainees after visitation.
• Respond to calls and route or handle detainee requests.
• Release juveniles and returns personal property according to established procedures.
• Maintain and enforce security procedures for youth and staff.
• Resolve differences and disagreements among youths, and intervene in youth altercations.
• Restrain youths and deals with behavior problems as necessary in accordance with prescribed guidelines.
• Conduct searches of youth and rooms to locate contraband, and conducts night perimeter checks to identify unusual situations and ensure building security.
• Observe youth behavior and maintain awareness of juvenile's emotional and physical needs including, but not limited to, signs of depression, suicide, disturbances or escape plans.
• Complete documentation as needed for any incidents or damage that occurs.
• Control noise level, behavior, and diffuse potentially escalating situations.
• Expose youth to adaptive and social skills training, and teaches and mentors responsibility and self-control and ensures youth attend required educational classes.
• Maintain "watch sheet" for designated clients who are identified as high risk (acting out behavior, medical conditions, etc.) reporting any unusual behavior, conditions or activities to the supervisor.
• Coordinate, direct, and monitor individual and group activities and appointments (e.g., mealtime, court appearance, medical appointments, recreation, group leisure, classroom education/training, work assignments, etc.).
• May escort detainees off campus to appointments, court dates or for other matters.
• Demonstrate and provide environment that promotes accountability and appropriate consequences for delinquent behavior.
• Monitor medication intake and alert nurse to any detainee medical issue.
• Respond to medical emergencies, consult with supervisor, and take appropriate action in strict accordance with establish procedures.

CARE PROGRAM

• Review rules with parent/guardian of juvenile and ensure understanding prior to being placed in the program.
• Communicate regularly with parents and assist the family in establishing effective communication, structure and discipline.
• Prepare reports on each client in the CARE Program.
• Collect specimens as needed to screen for substance abuse.
• Establish and monitor tracking equipment for each client in the program based on predetermined schedules.
• Conduct phone checks of clients, approve outings and make necessary schedule changes.
• Monitor alarms and make changes to schedule as needed.
• Serve as a member of various committees as assigned.
• Perform other duties as directed and assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience

Two (2) years of College-level coursework in social service, criminal justice, psychology, sociology, teaching, or social service area required*. Experience working with juveniles preferred. *Approved combination of training and/or work experience that would provide equivalent knowledge, skills, and abilities may be considered and substituted for the stated education.

Special Requirements

• Must be 21 years or older at time of employment
• Must have and maintain throughout employment a valid Driver's License, as well as meet eligibility requirements of "acceptable driver standards" as defined by the County.
• Must successfully pass extensive background checks, including but not limited to criminal history records check.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of and ability to enforce and apply departmental Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and general orders
• Knowledge of the use of Sheriff's Office records and their application to the solution of problem issues
• Knowledge of Sheriff's Office responsibilities and ability to use independent judgment in the performance of duties
• Ability to operate Electronic Monitoring equipment and GPS
• Ability to accept direction from a supervisor
• Ability to work flexible hours and over-time
• Ability to work with juveniles who are at risk
• Ability to operate standard office equipment and other equipment relating to a comprehensive law enforcement program
• Ability to prepare of clear, accurate and comprehensive recommendations and reports
• Ability to perform basic mathematical calculations, utilize correct grammar, spelling and punctuation
• Ability to maintain the confidentiality of all departmental communications, documents and correspondence
• Ability to deal with the general public in a courteous and tactful manner
• Ability to work under pressure and/or frequent interruptions
• Ability to navigate stressful situations while maintaining composure
• Ability to understand and follow exacting verbal and written instructions
• Ability to prioritize work and carry out assigned projects to completion
• Ability to communicate effectively, in English, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to operate a computer, calculator, printer, scanner, fax, copier, phone, law enforcement radio, control panels, locking/unlocking doors, alarms, mace, approved restraints, breathalyzer, first aid equipment, and other equipment used to perform the essential functions of this job

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and working environment 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 qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed indoors in a Staff secure detention facility on an assigned shift supporting a 24 hour, 7 day a week operation as well as outdoors in varying weather conditions when assigned home visit duties. Outdoor work involves exposure to temperature extremes, high humidity, adverse weather conditions, dirt, dust, and loud noise. Work involves the potential for contact with or exposure to infectious/communicable diseases, blood borne pathogens, and infectious materials. Work requires close interaction with juveniles and may be difficult or physically/emotionally challenging when dealing with those who are irate or verbally abusive, their family members, or when dealing with critical situations. The noise level is typically moderate with occasional exposure to loud noise.

Work hours include holidays, weekends, call-ins, and irregular duty assignments. Work may be fast-paced when dealing with multiple priorities and time constraints as well as interruptions. Work hours are subject to call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the event of a crisis.

Work requires some physical activity including frequent periods of standing/remaining upright and walking/moving about as well as occasional sitting/remaining stationary, bending, twisting, stooping, running and reaching as well as balancing and shifting from knees to standing position when restraining combative juveniles. The incumbent must possess the hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate/manipulate equipment (use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects/tools). The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds or up to 200 pounds as a team when assisting in the physical restraint of a combative juvenile.

Required sensory abilities include vision, hearing, smell, and touch. Visual abilities, correctable to normal ranges, include close, distance, and color vision as well as the depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Communication abilities include the ability to talk (verbal exchange) and hear within normal ranges.

Link to Job Analysis: https://ne-sarpycounty.civicplus.com/DocumentCenter/View/2074/OJE-JJC-Juv-Svc-Officer-AND-UP-04-18-2019