Detention Officer

About the role

To provide custody of youth detained in the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center in a safe, secure, and humane atmosphere, ensuring their day-by-day and moment-by-moment basic physical, emotional, and psychological safety.

Responsibilities

• Provide crisis and supportive guidance to youth in a caring and nurturing manner to address their emotional needs.
• Assist youth in meeting their psychological, emotional, physical, and social needs through referrals to psychology, social services, chaplain, clinic, or other Juvenile Court services.
• Supervise and teach youth basic social and living skills, including personal hygiene, laundry, dining, and housekeeping of the living unit.
• Oversee the daily routine of youth, including wake-up, showering, housekeeping, laundry, mealtimes, educational, recreational, and other activities.
• Maintain direct visual supervision of youth, with special attention to their physical whereabouts and emotional mood at all times.
• Provide preventive intervention to ward off potential conflicts between youth; intervene effectively in verbal or physical conflicts to reach resolution.
• Monitor youth at risk (Pink Card, Blue Card) or in confinement according to prescribed procedures.
• Communicate information verbally and in writing regarding youths' adjustment to other professionals in the Marion Superior Court, Juvenile Division system.
• Complete prescribed reports and other paperwork accurately, neatly, and in a timely fashion.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or equivalent; College degree in a human services-related area or equivalent experience preferred.
• Must be 25 years of age.
• Good interpersonal relationship skills.
• Knowledge of basic human development issues as they relate to youth.
• Good oral and written communication skills.