Washington State Courts

Juvenile Detention Officer

Kitsap County Superior Court

Position Title: Juvenile Detention Officer – Kitsap County

Salary: $18.56 - $24.86

Location: Port Orchard

Applicants must apply online through Neogov. The complete job description and application are available at http://www.kitsapgov.com/jobline/default.htm. This position closes on 2/18/13 at 11:59 p.m.

Under the direction of the assigned supervisor, the incumbent performs responsible work providing supervision and care of children placed in the Kitsap County Detention Facility which includes maintaining the security and safety of the facility at all times. The incumbent is responsible for providing direct supervision, direction and guidance to juveniles detained within the County facility and integrating security and emergency functions and communications within the facility and outside agencies. Responsibility includes disciplining juveniles, within well-defined written procedures, and physically controlling disturbed juveniles as necessary. Incumbents may provide work direction to on-call employees, volunteers, or general aides.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This is a stand-alone classification utilized at the Kitsap County Juvenile Detention Facility, distinguished by responsibility for providing direct supervision, direction and guidance to juveniles housed in the facility. Duties are performed with some independence, and work is evaluated through observation, meetings and results obtained.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR PERFORMANCE OF THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

Required Education and Experience

A.A. Degree in the Social Sciences, Law Enforcement or related field from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education; OR,
2 years of recent experience in residential treatment and supervision, military security or supervision, or related area; OR,
Any equivalent combination of experience and education which provides the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the work.

Preferred Education and Experience

B.S. or B.A. degree in a related field.
Experience working with youth or in a detention facility.

Required Licenses, Certificates, Examinations/Tests and Other Requirements

Please note: The incumbent is responsible for obtaining and maintaining all of the following required licenses, certifications and other requirements.

Prior to employment the successful candidate must:

Submit a copy of their State employment driving record to verify their eligibility to drive for Kitsap County.
Submit official transcripts from an accredited college or university if education is being used to meet the minimum qualifications.
Pass a comprehensive background investigation/criminal background check which includes fingerprinting through law enforcement agencies.
Pass all job-related examinations/tests necessary to demonstrate required knowledge, skills and abilities, in a multi-phase testing process. These tests may include, but are not limited to, physical agility, written, oral, skill, polygraph, medical and psychological examination.

At time of appointment the successful candidate must:

(Evidence of ability to obtain these by appointment may be required at any time in the selection process.)

Possess a valid Washington State Driver’s License.
Be able to fulfill all traveling requirements of this position and meet the qualifications and guidelines of the Fleet Risk Control Policies in the operation of a motor vehicle on County business, including the appropriate amount of automobile insurance.

Within 30 days of employment the successful candidate must:

Complete Bloodborne/Airborne Pathogens training
Receive the Hepatitis B vaccine series or sign a waiver.
Complete a Tuberculosis Test (and yearly thereafter).
Possess and submit a copy of a valid and current CPR/First Aid Certificate.
Possess and submit a copy of a valid and current Food Handler’s Permit.

Within one year of appointment the successful candidate must:

Satisfy the training requirements established by RCW 43.101.220 and the Criminal Justice Training Commission including attending and passing the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission’s Academy for Juvenile Security Workers.
Complete County-sponsored Defensive Driving Training prior to assignment to transport of juveniles.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of:

Basic principles of human behavior and adolescent psychology.
Basic self defense techniques and security precautions.
Methods of data collection, documentation and report writing.
First aid and CPR treatment.

Ability to:

Appear for scheduled work with regular and punctual attendance.
Work a non-traditional work schedule, including irregular hours, possibly irregular days and be subject to on-call responsibility.
Establish and maintain cooperative, effective, and productive working relationships using tact, patience and courtesy with staff at all organizational levels, with law enforcement personnel, social services personnel, parents, guardians and members of the general public.
Apply constructive techniques in communicating instructions and procedural information to detainees and others.
Effectively plan and organize work and complete tasks within prescribed timeframes.
Understand, learn, enforce in a positive manner, and comply with facility policies and procedures.
Communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Exercise sound judgment and respond appropriately to emergency situations in an institutional setting.
Maintain routine paper and computer records.
Maintain a consistently fair attitude toward detained juveniles while exercising authority under demanding situations.
Maintain current CPR and First Aid certifications.
Successfully complete and pass all required tests, examinations and training.

Working Conditions Physical Activities

(The physical demands described are representative of those that must be met by the employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Kitsap County provides reasonable accommodation to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.)

Positions in this class typically require:

Twisting, stooping, bending, squatting, kneeling, crawling, climbing, crouching, sitting, standing, walking and reaching (over shoulders, at waist and below waist).
The ability to drive a vehicle.
Adequate vision to observe the behavior of detainees and assess the safety and security of the facility.
Adequate hearing to monitor all radio communications for safety and security of the facility, workers, and incarcerated youth.
Repetitive motions when manually completing required logs/reports.
Speaking/talking when communicating with juvenile detainees and others.
Exertion of force of up to 50 pounds occasionally, and/or up to 35 pounds frequently and/or 10 pounds constantly to move objects and as needed over 100 pounds to physically subdue or lift a juvenile.
Shift work in a 24 hour/day, 7 day a week facility with rotating shifts and varying days off.
Working overtime, holidays and weekends. May be required to respond to emergencies.

Incumbents may be:

Subject to exposure to physical hazards such as: restricted work areas or blood and body fluids requiring the use of safe biohazard and blood borne pathogen prevention methods.
Exposed to potentially violent or hostile individuals in volatile and dangerous situations within the facility.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLE OF DUTIES:

(Any one position may not include all of the duties listed nor do the listed examples include all tasks which may be found in positions of this class.)

Essential Job Functions:

Monitor eating, bathing and dressing of juveniles; search quarters and new admissions for contraband and hazardous items; escort juveniles.
Maintain safety of the pod on assigned shift; assure security procedures are followed; screen approved visitors.
Provide supportive encouragement and guidance to youth on a personal basis, utilizing the opportunities afforded during direct supervision pod assignments either in one-to-one or small group situations, and give instruction, advice and assistance on personal problems.
Observe and record behavior; physically control disturbed juveniles; respond to emergency situations; make regular security checks on rooms and facilities; discipline juveniles for rule infraction.
Prepare a file on each juvenile admitted to the facility, and maintain a written shift record of activities of juveniles. Create a computer record of admission and release of each juvenile.
Maintain orderly appearance of assigned area; launder clothing and bedding utilizing hazardous waste protocol if needed; dispense hygiene and grooming items.
Assist the arresting law enforcement officer or intake officer in admitting or releasing juveniles from the facility.
Transport youth when necessary to and from local or out-of-state agencies, health care facilities, etc.
Collect data on juveniles to compile social history; provide data for use in diagnosis and Court reports; participate with the supervisor in preparing diagnostic/behavioral reports.
Assist juveniles in cultivating appropriate social, behavioral, and interpersonal skills and attitudes useful in community living; lead recreational activities and give instruction in games.
Central control and lead post pod position includes responsibility for all internal movement, control and security; monitoring of all two-way radio communications and all camera and security systems.
Respond to inquiries within scope of knowledge or transfer inquiries to supervisor.

OTHER POSITION RELATED INFORMATION:

This position is:

Classified as eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
Covered under a collective bargaining agreement. Union membership or service fee obligation is mandatory within 30 days of employment.
Juvenile Detention Officers are considered essential employees and are expected to report for duty on time and remain at work until the end of their scheduled shift even if an inclement weather event or emergency is declared.