0000002850.JUVENILE DETENTION OFFICER II.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 in a manner that ensures the health, safety, and welfare of each youth.
• Functions as a lead Juvenile Detention Officer and assumes divisional responsibility in the absence of the shift supervisor.
• Provides individual and group counseling to all youths to promote and increase personal awareness of responsibilities and alternatives.
• Provides critical and sound judgment and decisions during crisis or potentially dangerous situations, conducts crisis intervention counseling, and notifies the supervisor of concerns.
• Disciplines youths by enforcing the rules of the facility, documents behavior and other specific information, 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, including administering medications, processing intake assessments or discharges, and disciplining youths.
• Must be physically able to perform “handling with care techniques, including takedowns, chasing, and restraining youth” as outlined in the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) requirement.
• Conducts inspections, rounds, and drills, which include room checks and physical searches of youths.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Graduation from an accredited high school/GED program.
• Two (2) years of work-related experience.
• Must have current Red Cross First Aid/CPR certification or obtain within 90 days of hire.
• Must maintain 40 hours of training yearly.
• Must be certified as required by applicable standards of the facility/department assigned.
• Must possess a valid Texas driver’s license, with a good driving record.
• Must pass an extensive background investigation.
• Mandatory drug testing prior to employment and will be subject to random, unannounced drug and/or alcohol testing during employment.
• Must be at least 21 years of age 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.

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.
• High tolerance for working in an emotionally demanding/stressful work environment.
• Ability to restrain and/or chase youths.

Working Conditions

• Works inside a secured facility with potential exposure to hepatitis, tuberculosis, lice, and other diseases.
• Subject to shift changes, mandatory overtime, or remaining on duty for an additional shift (“double shift”).
• May be transferred to another department, shift, location, or facility based on the needs of the Department.
• May be considered ‘essential personnel’ and subject to being held over or called back to a work location or alternate site at all times.
• May be required to utilize a vehicle to transport youths.