0000002843.JUVENILE DETENTION OFFICER III.JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER

About the role

Functions as a lead Juvenile Detention Officer in providing direct supervision to youths in a 24‑hour detention facility and assists in the development and evaluation of residential programs. May assume divisional responsibility in the absence of the shift supervisor.

Responsibilities

• Provides direct day‑to‑day supervision to youths in a 24‑hour detention facility ensuring health, safety and welfare.
• Functions as a lead Juvenile Detention Officer and assumes divisional responsibility in the absence of the shift supervisor.
• Provides individual and group counseling to promote personal awareness of responsibilities and alternatives.
• Exercises critical and sound judgement during crisis or potentially dangerous situations, conducts crisis intervention counseling, and notifies supervisor of concerns.
• Disciplines youths by enforcing facility rules, documents behavior and forwards to appropriate personnel.
• Trains and evaluates staff and maintains time and attendance records in the absence of a shift supervisor.
• Transports youths to and from appointments.
• Serves as back‑up to staff and assumes all duties as necessary (administering medications, transporting youths, processing intake assessments or discharges, disciplining youths).
• Must be physically able to perform “handling with care techniques, including takedowns, chasing and restraining youth” per TJJD requirements.
• Conducts inspections, rounds and drills, including room checks and physical searches of youths.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited high school/GED program.
• Two (2) years of work‑related experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, departments and the general public.
• Current Red Cross First Aid/CPR certification or obtain within 90 days of hire.
• Maintain 40 hours of training yearly.
• Must be certified as required by applicable standards of the facility/department assigned.
• Valid Texas driver’s license with a good driving record.
• Pass an extensive background investigation.
• Mandatory drug testing prior to employment and subject to random, unannounced drug and/or alcohol testing during employment.
• Subject to shift changes.
• Position requires working with juveniles who may have committed dangerous/aggressive acts; should possess a high tolerance for working in an emotionally demanding/stressful work environment.
• May be transferred to another department, shift, location, or facility based on department needs.
• Working in a 24‑hour facility may require mandatory overtime or remaining on duty for all or part of an additional shift (“double shift”).
• Incumbent may be considered essential personnel subject to being held over or called back to a work location or alternate site at all times.
• Must be at least 21 years of age (for applicable positions) and must pass all portions (physical/written) of the Juvenile Academy to continue employment or all standards related to PREA and Ethics for specific positions.

Physical & Environmental Requirements

• Works inside a secured facility with potential exposure to hepatitis, tuberculosis, lice and other diseases.
• Ability to restrain and/or chase youths.
• May be required to utilize a vehicle to transport youths.