Juvenile Detention Officer

Job Summary

The primary role of this position is to perform non-sworn duties ensuring the safety and security of Southwest Idaho Juvenile Detention Center (SWIJDC) under the supervision of department administrators, supervisors, and training officers. While some independence is allowed, work must comply with strict legal and departmental guidelines. The role involves potential personal risk and health hazards, with possible special assignments such as Booking/Admissions Officer.

Key Responsibilities

Facility Security

• Monitor residents’ activities and behaviors to ensure facility safety, security, and adherence to standards, policies, and procedures
• Maintain security by conducting census counts, meal counts, perimeter and security checks, and other procedures within established timelines

Resident Management

• Process new residents into the SWIJDC, ensuring charges and other documents are correct and complete, taking fingerprints and photographs, conducting searches, facilitating medical and mental health evaluations, preparing records, entering data, assigning housing, issuing clothing, and completing other booking duties
• Monitor and log residents’ incoming and outgoing mail
• Coordinate scheduling for court appearances, hearings, evaluations, and interviews; accompany residents to court hearings and assist in providing courtroom security
• Transport and serve meals to residents; supervise cleanup
• Address residents’ medical requests
• Conduct and participate in competency development programs
• Perform release duties by verifying documents and court orders; may include installing electronic monitoring equipment

Administrative Duties

• Maintains logs, records, reports, and required documentation
• Attend all mandatory training sessions

Other Duties

• Keep immediate supervisor and designated others informed about work progress and issues, while proposing potential improvements
• Complete laundry and other housekeeping duties as needed
• Perform restraints and intervene with physical force when required to maintain order
• Must be willing to work non-traditional hours, including but not limited to, rotating 12-hour shifts, weekends, nights, and holidays
• Perform all work duties and activities following County policies, procedures, and safety practices
• Perform other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of Federal and state laws, relevant to juvenile detention (e.g., Idaho Juvenile Corrections Act of 1995, Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003, and Idaho Juvenile Detention Standards)
• Understanding of county/department policies on booking, release, confidentiality, restraint and use of force
• Familiarity with best practices, policies, and procedures in juvenile detention
• Operate specialized detention and electronic monitoring equipment, including specialized office and emergency equipment
• Safely operate a motor vehicle
• Communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing; prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports
• Apply verbal de-escalation and suicide prevention techniques
• Monitor facility operations for safety and security
• Identify and report observable medical, physical, or mental conditions of residents
• Execute duties and lawful requests from supervisors, trainers, and administrators
• Follow written and oral instructions
• Assess situations quickly to identify and respond to dangers
• Handle uncooperative, distraught, and hostile residents verbally or physically
• Work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Build effective working relationships with residents, staff, the public, and diverse groups
• Perform various tasks accurately under time constraints.
• Maintain professionalism and composure when dealing with uncooperative individuals, controlling anger and language

Special Qualifications

Prior to Hire:

• Must successfully complete a background investigation through the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) prior to hire date and every five years after hire as required by Federal Law
• Must successfully complete a Child Abuse Registry Check through the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare
• Must possess an Idaho driver’s license

After Hire:

• Certifications required:

§ Idaho POST Basic Juvenile Detention Officer certification or Idaho P.O.S.T. (or Part-Time Juvenile Detention Officer certification for Part-Time Employees) within one year of hire date (U.S. Citizenship required)

§ First Aid and CPR

• Oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray within one year of hire date
• Must complete any mandatory courses in specified period of time after hire date

Acceptable Experience and Training

• High School Diploma or GED equivalency required
• Bilingual (Spanish and English) is preferred
• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Must pass department physical and pre-employment and recurring exams

Essential Physical Abilities

• Must meet and maintain physical qualifications and requirements set forth by the Southwest Idaho Juvenile Detention Center
• Sufficient clarity of speech and hearing, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to discern verbal instructions, communicate effectively in person, on a two-way radio, and a telephone, and discern sounds against normal background noise requiring investigation or indicating an emergency
• Sufficient visual acuity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to comprehend written work instructions, review a wide variety of written and electronic text materials, and discern behavior and activities requiring investigation or indicating an emergency
• Sufficient manual dexterity, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to write reports, utilize required specialized equipment, operate standard office equipment and a personal computer, and operate a motor vehicle
• Sufficient personal mobility, flexibility, agility, reflexes, and physical strength, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to satisfactorily complete the SWIJDC physical testing, also to sit, stand, climb stairs, and walk for long periods, lift up to 50+ pounds, respond physically to restrain residents, and work in a detention environment
• Sufficient personal mobility, flexibility, agility, reflexes, and physical strength, with or without reasonable accommodation, which permits the employee to become certified in and use Defensive Tactic Techniques as accepted by the Idaho POST Council

Disclaimer:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the primary job responsibilities satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being assigned to this job. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of individuals in the job. This job description is not an employment agreement and/or an expressed or implied employment contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice.

Canyon County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions related to recruitment and selection are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

DISQUALIFIERS FOR EMPLOYMENT

Juvenile Detention Officers

Listed below are a number of behaviors which may disqualify an applicant from consideration for employment.

Involvement with Illegal Drugs

Automatic disqualification for use of marijuana/THC, regardless of its form, within the last one (1) year. This includes the use of cannabis, hashish, hash oil, and THC in both synthetic and natural forms.

Automatic disqualification for use of any other illegal drug in the past three (3) years.

Unlawful prescription drug use in the past three (3) years.

Any illegal intravenous drug use.

Manufacturing, selling, offering to sell, distribution or transporting for sale any illegal drugs within the past three (3) years.

All drug use and involvement will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Driving Record

Automatic disqualification for misdemeanor DUI conviction in the past two (2) years or two (2) or more in the past five (5) years.

Driving history showing a continuing pattern of poor decision-making will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Criminal Record

Automatic disqualification for a conviction of any felony crime unless under eighteen (18) and ten (10) or more years prior to application submittal.

Automatic disqualification for conviction of misdemeanor sex crime or crime of deceit within five (5) years of application submittal.

Any misdemeanor conviction for crimes involving domestic battery or violence, child abuse, stalking, or voyeurism.

All misdemeanor convictions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.