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Position: Detention Officer Salary: $39,746/year Department: Probate Court/Juvenile Justice Center Location: Juvenile Justice Center Status: Full-Time Job Category: POLE (Protective Occupations, Law Enforcement) FLSA Status: Non-exempt

Description:

Deborah A. Fleming, DMD Director Kimberly Karkiewicz

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. St. Joseph Probate Court provides reasonable accommodation to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship.

Hours: Multiple shifts available: First (7am-3pm), Second (3pm-11pm) and Third (11pm-7am). Days as assigned. Incumbent serves as Detention Officer for the St. Joseph Probate Court/Juvenile Justice Center, responsible for providing care and security for residents at the St. Joseph Probate Court/Juvenile Justice Center. Meeting the physical and emotional needs of all residents. Possessing the ability to perform any tasks necessary and requested for the overall operation of the agency.

Essential Functions: DIRECT REPORT:

Detention Officers report directly to their shift Supervisor. However, final determinations are made by the Director of Detention and/or the Executive Director.

DUTIES:

Provides care and security for residents at the St. Joseph County Juvenile Justice Center. Meets the physical and emotional needs of all residents. Possesses the ability to perform any tasks necessary and requested for the overall operation of the agency, including, but not limited to:

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: INTAKE:

1. Provides orientation for new residents.
2. Assists in training new employees.
3. Properly fills out detention forms in writing or via computer.
4. Records demographic data in log.
5. Maintains daily log book of significant events.

SECURITY:

1. Checks all resident doors regularly.
2. Checks on residents in rooms every 15 minutes, with closer intervals if situation warrants.
3. Searches all rooms for contraband.
4. Routinely makes material, (i.e. pencils) and physical head counts.

SUPERVISION:

1. Provides immediate crisis intervention for distraught, suicidal or violent residents.
2. Disciplines residents consistently and fairly for misbehavior
3. Supervises assigned residents at all times.
4. Ability to conduct themselves as a positive role model for juveniles by demonstrating values of respect, responsibility, tolerance and acceptance. Must possess good verbal communication skills in order to effectively lead and facilitate group presentations and discussions in youth self-improvement classes (i.e., VBBM, CPI, Life Skills, Physical Education). Successful officers have the ability to motivate juveniles by relating lessons taught to real life situations; i.e., encouraging youth to think through their options before they act and the consequences of those options chosen.
5. Supervises visits from parents, grandparents, and guardians.
6. Female staff supervise male and female detainees. Male staff supervise male detainees. Staff are not allowed to enter the cell of an opposite sex unless a staff member of the oppositesex is present. Except for supervisors, male staff may only enter the female pod or cell in case of an emergency, even then female staff must be present.

HOUSEKEEPING:

1. Supervise residents while eating, and supervises clean up. Officers dine with residents at the facility.
2. Supervises cleaning of sleeping room (cells) and pod areas.
3. Performs minor maintenance chores and notifies appropriate maintenance staff/supervisors of related problems that need attention.

RESPONSIBILITY:

Considerable judgment must be exercised on an independent ba is in regard to the safety and security of all residents and staff. Policies and procedures are written, but every situation is not, and cannot be covered. Supervisory assistance is available. Errors in judgment may result in safety or security problems such as: fights, escapes, suicides, and injury to staff or residents.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Receives phone calls from police personnel, parents of juveniles, juveniles on probation, and general public. Responsible for answering questions, taking messages, and relaying accurate information in a courteous and professional manner. Interacts with juveniles in detention, parents, grandparents, and relatives of juveniles in detention, teachers, other Detention Officers, Probation Officers, Police Officers, Administrative staff. Must maintain a professional relationship with all residents and staff at all times and staff while on duty. Detention Officers are expected to be positive role models at work and in the community and demonstrate VBBM values of Respect, Responsibility, Tolerance, and Acceptance.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This is a locked, secure, jail-like environment housing juveniles who are charged with delinquent acts many of which are violent such as battery, robbery and murder. The safety of this community, as well as our staff and residents depends upon Detention Officers who have the ability to act quickly, responsibly, and fairly, with compassion, consistency, and control. Work is performed on carpeted and cement floors. There is a considerable amount of walking in the center to escort juveniles from one area to another and to monitor rooms every 4 to 15 minutes. Detention staff must possess the ability to visually inspect a cell room through the door window before entry. Inability to do so would greatly increase the possibility of attack upon staff or decreases the possible witnessing of an incident taking place inside the room. Physical confrontations with residents and cleaning require physical fitness, endurance, a moderate amount of strength and mental awareness. Officers must be physically able to subdue a resident who is fighting or out of control. This may include physical restraint, handcuffing, use of pepper spray, and transporting the juvenile to a more restrictive environment when necessary. Detention Officers must have the ability to manage and control juveniles who are verbally and physically abusive without losing control of emotions, perform duties professionally, maintain self control, and treat all residents with respect, without partiality. The duties described above are indicative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities and normal task assignments of this job, and do not constitute an exhaustive list of all tasks which may be required. Additional duties requiring similar or lesser skills may be added at any time without the necessity of altering the description or re-evaluating the job.

Qualifications:

Minimum age 21.

EDUCATION:

Baccalaureate degree in Criminal Justice or Social Services preferred; high school diploma or GED required.

EXPERIENCE:

Prior training or experience dealing with adolescents preferred.

SKILLS:

The ability to relate to professional staff, detained youth, and their families without bias or partiality. Competency to provide security for the community, staff and Detainees through applied mental and physical skills. Capacity to use good judgment, problem solve,