Juvenile Detention Officer

King County (WA) • Seattle, WA

347d

About The Position

The Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) is looking for prospective Juvenile Detention Officers who have a strong interest in working with our community's youth. If you are selected for this position, you will work in a secure juvenile detention facility with youth typically under the age of 18 years old. Interacting with youth in this setting, you will focus on managing behavior by the least restrictive means, coaching and using conflict-resolution skills to teach and promote pro-social behavior. For more information, please refer to the Detention Officer job class description.

Requirements

• Twenty-one years of age by the date of hire.
• High school diploma or GED or equivalent.
• A valid Washington state driver's license by the date of hire.
• Ability to read, speak, and write in the English language fluently.
• Willingness and availability to work at least 40 hours per week, including varied shifts.
• Ability to apply legal and operational practices and procedures required during the supervision of youth offenders.
• Excellent conflict-resolution skills and ability to assess situations quickly.
• Ability to maintain composure and perform well under stress.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with youth in a paid or voluntary capacity.
• Experience in the field of criminal justice, ideally working with youth in a correctional or security-oriented environment.
• Associate or Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Law and Justice, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Human Services, or related area of study.

Responsibilities

• Providing safe and secure custody of juveniles, ensuring that they have access to health and mental health services, as well as educational resources and exercise.
• Maintaining proper living standards to include good health habits, instructing juveniles in housekeeping, sanitation responsibilities, and personal hygiene.
• Creating an environment which models pro-social behaviors for juveniles and supports them in changing behaviors and patterns to achieve positive goals.
• Managing behavior and diffusing disruptive behaviors through problem-solving, crisis intervention, and/or counseling.
• Monitoring and documenting the movement and location of all juveniles at all times, completing reports regarding incidents and violations of Department policies and procedures, and operating electronic audio/video surveillance equipment.
• Providing educational and/or recreational structured programming, which includes both overseeing a program performed by volunteers/contractors and directly providing programs and groups aimed at teaching pro-social behavior, games, and other activities.
• Paying special attention to individual considerations, such as mental health, emotional needs, gender identity, cultural or ethnic requirements, etc.
• Using appropriate physical defensive interventions and restraint techniques to subdue and restrain juveniles as necessary and in accordance with local, state and federal law.
• Conducting inspections of facility, juveniles, visitors and packages delivered to the facility, as well as conducting searches related to safety and security.
• Operating a motor vehicle to transport juveniles.

Benefits

• Up to $5,250 in annual tuition reimbursement for degrees in approved fields of study.
• Comprehensive provision of uniforms and equipment.
• 12 days of annual vacation leave with progressive career increases up to a maximum of 30 vacation days per year.
• 12 days of sick leave with unlimited annual carryover.
• 12 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 personal holidays.
• Complete coverage of medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Retirement plan participation through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems.
• Transportation program and free ORCA transit pass.
• Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, bereavement leave, volunteer service leave, and military service leave.
• Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Programs, Employee Giving Program, Employee Assistance Programs, and Training & Career development programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Administration of Human Resource Programs
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees