Juvenile Detention Officer I

Job Description

SUMMARY OF JOB PURPOSE

The Juvenile Detention Officer I will supervise and coach juveniles in a secure correctional setting. Must be 21 years of age at the time of appointment. Applicants will undergo a law enforcement background investigation prior to being considered and continued for employment. Over time, shifts, weekend, and holiday work are required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provides coaching and intervention to groups or individuals in substance abuse, employment, life skills, decision-making and other issues affecting troubled juveniles.
• Processes juveniles through intake procedures, including paperwork, searches, property inventory, showers and drug screening. Screens and evaluates for behavioral problems, alcohol and drug withdrawal, security risk and psychological needs.
• Identifies and reports potential child abuse or neglect to the appropriate agency within 24 hours.
• Tutors and reinforces general education requirements learned in the detention classroom.
• Encourages personal hygiene, participation in activities and basic cleaning.
• Prepares and serves meals in accordance with local, state and federal regulations. Completes inventory of supplies and food.
• Launders Juvenile Detention clothing, bedding, and towels.
• Identifies problems and provides crisis intervention. Implements disciplinary measures as necessary.
• Leads games and sports.
• Always maintains sight supervision of juveniles during waking hours and conducts visual checks of youth during sleeping hours. Monitors doors, cameras, intercoms, and two-way radio traffic.
• Diffuses potentially assaultive or threatening behavior. Restrains juveniles physically, when necessary, in accordance with local, state and federal regulations.
• Administers first aid as needed and medication as directed. Evaluates the need for medical attention. Transports juveniles for medical appointments or emergencies.
• Maintains and records daily logs regarding incidents, observations and actions taken. Prepares routine reports.
• Assists in building and grounds maintenance.
• Maintains knowledge of local, state, and federal programs, resources, and services available to youth and families.
• Maintains up-to-date knowledge of the latest trends, techniques, and legal developments in juvenile justice.
• Represents the department with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation.

Education and Experience

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Food Handler Safety Training Card
• CPR First Aide Certified
• Must maintain a valid Nevada driver's license

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

An employee in this position must have the following knowledge, skills, and abilities upon application:

Knowledge

• Working knowledge of modern practices, procedures, and regulations for Juvenile Detention facilities.
• Knowledge of modern methods and techniques for coaching children in need of supervision.
• Knowledge of interviewing techniques.
• Working knowledge and correct usage of business English including spelling, grammar, punctuation, vocabulary, and formats.
• Working knowledge of record keeping, report preparation, filing methods and records management techniques.
• Knowledge of the principles, functions and general practices of law enforcement agencies and the court system.
• Working knowledge of personal computer hardware and software including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases for the purposes of creating, editing, and distributing information.
• Thorough knowledge of Chapters 62 and 432B.220 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (NV Rev Stat § 62 and NV Rev Stat § 432B.220 (2017)), and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations, county ordinances and regulations, department rules and regulations, and relevant court rulings.

Skills

• Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Observing details accurately and recognizing suspicious behavior.
• Remaining alert in a confined space for an extended period.
• Understanding, interpreting and communicating complicated policies, procedures and protocols.
• Using the tools and equipment listed below.

Abilities

• Complying with Elko County policies and departmental procedures.
• Reacting calmly and quickly under duress and strain.
• Dealing appropriately with exposure to the consequences of acts of violence perpetrated against others.
• Using tact, discretion, initiative, and considerable independent judgment to manage relationships and situations whether established guidelines exist or not.
• Building a rapport, listening, and responding with empathy, and working effectively with children in need of supervision and their families.
• Maintaining confidentiality.
• Solving practical problems and dealing with a variety of variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
• Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with subordinates, peers, supervisors, city, county, state and federal officials and the public as needed. Dealing with problems courteously and tactfully.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

An employee in this position must meet the following physical requirements upon application:

• Work is performed in a detention center setting.
• Strength, stamina, and endurance to adjust to changes in shift assignments and to work well beyond a twelve-hour shift.
• Strength and stamina to sit for prolonged periods of time.
• Strength, stamina, coordination, and balance to stand and walk for long periods, and to bend, reach and conduct inspections.
• Strength, stamina, and coordination to physically restrain uncooperative and violent individuals.
• Strength to move the weight of an inert or resisting human body.
• Stamina to maintain physical exertion under stress.
• The employee will be frequently subjected to the stress of dealing with juveniles, some of whom may be uncooperative, emotional, resistant, and combative.
• The employee will be exposed to individuals with communicable illnesses.
• Hand-eye coordination is necessary to operate computers and various pieces of equipment.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear, sit, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects or controls, and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must occasionally lift and move more than 100 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus. Must be able to discern details in low light.
• Specific hearing abilities required by this job include identifying tone signals and perceiving conversation and activities through obstacles.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually loud.
• Tools and equipment used include electric doors, cameras, intercoms, and two-way radios.

Elko County is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer