Job Details

Juvenile Detention Officer

The Twin Falls County Juvenile Detention Center is accepting applications for the position of Juvenile Detention Officer to fill current vacancies and to establish an eligibility roster for future openings. Shifts are from 6:00am - 6:00pm and 6:00pm - 6:00am, rotating 12 hour shifts. Applicants MUST be willing to work weekend and holiday shifts.

Job Description

Performs general non-sworn officer duties to ensure the safety and security of the County juvenile detention facility; performs related work as required. The principal duties are performed in a secure corrections facility. Some latitude is granted to the employee but work is subject to stringent state and County legal guidelines. The position includes exposure to potential personal danger. The work is performed under the supervision of the Shift Supervisor.

Duties / Responsibilities

Essential duties and responsibilities (illustrative only and may vary by assignment):

• Monitors the activities of inmates in the County juvenile detention facility to ensure the safety and security of the facility and to ensure standards, policies, and procedures are implemented and followed;
• Processes new inmates into the juvenile detention center, including ensuring charges and other documents are correct and complete, fingerprinting, photography, physical search, drug/alcohol testing, preparing documents and records, data entry, housing assignment, clothing issuance, inmate orientation, and related booking duties;
• Coordinates inmate scheduling, including court and hearing appearances, evaluations, interviews, and related scheduling;
• Performs release duties, including checking court orders, records, and related paperwork to ensure proper disposition; logging release data into central computer; following all release procedures and protocols; may include installation of electronic monitoring equipment;
• Monitors and logs inmate incoming and outgoing mail, telephone calls, and visitation, ensuring they meet established and approved protocols;
• Maintains facility security by patrolling the secure areas within and around the juvenile detention center, following policies, procedures, and established timelines;
• Maintains facility security by performing physical searches of inmates and their rooms;
• Monitors inmate behavior in a variety of situations, including assigned housing, classroom, exercise, dining, recreation areas, and related secure areas;
• Monitors and logs inmate activities and movements in a variety of situations, including education and recreation; cleaning; mealtimes; showering; interactions with other inmates, teachers, officers, and counselors; contact visitation; and telephone calls;
• Administers disciplinary actions and holds inmates accountable for their actions and behavior, as needed, following facility policies, procedures, and protocols;
• Performs observation checks on inmates in their cells following prescribed time intervals, including inmates on medical, suicide, or other status requiring more frequent checks;
• Performs census count to determine facility population and that inmates are accounted for;
• Takes inventory of items and equipment (utensils, keys, radios, and other listed items) at beginning and end of shift;
• Performs interior and perimeter security checks, including use of security cameras;
• Transports and escorts inmates within the facility and to court hearings, legal proceedings, and other designated appearances;
• Picks up, transports, and serves inmate meals;
• Delivers inmate medications and supervises its administration;
• Supervises inmate hygiene, including showers, clean clothing, laundry, and procedures to prevent spread of communicable diseases;
• Determines if inmates are ill or injured and obtains medical assistance when needed, including transporting inmate for medical attention;
• Participates in ongoing training including, but not limited to, emergency responses, drills, escapes, inmate disturbances, and related incidents;
• Performs all work duties and activities in accordance with federal, state, County, and Department statutes, laws, ordinances, policies, procedures, and safety practices.
• Responds to Commissioners', elected officials', County employees', and citizens' questions and comments in a courteous and timely manner;
• Communicates and coordinates regularly with appropriate co-workers to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of interdepartmental operations and activities.
• Maintains strict confidentiality in all cases;
• Assists other department and County employees as needed or requested;

Secondary duties and responsibilities:

• Works non-traditional hours; the facility is staffed 24 hours/day and must be available weekends and holidays;
• On call after regular work hours to respond to emergency situations;
• On call 24/7 to respond to fill a shift as required;
• May substitute for teachers in their absence;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

The requirements listed below are representative of the minimum knowledge, skill, and/or ability required for an individual to satisfactorily perform each essential duty satisfactorily and be successful in the position.

• Knowledge of: detention methods, procedures, practices, equipment, and objectives;
• County procedures including booking, detention, handling and release of juvenile inmates;
• Detention procedures and practices, including inmate confidentiality;
• Federal laws, statutes, and codes applicable to detention and the jail environment;
• Idaho and County statutes, laws, codes, and regulations governing juvenile arrest and detention;
• County and Department policies, procedures, and practices, including inmate restraint procedures;
• Operation of a personal computer and job-related software applications;
• Operation of standard office equipment;
• Specialized equipment used in booking and detention, including but not limited to, fingerprinting and photography equipment, emergency breathing and rescue equipment, two-way radios, security cameras, restraint equipment, stand-off equipment, and related equipment;
• First Aid and CPR.
• Juvenile justice systems, processes, procedures, and objectives;
• Juvenile Court practices and processes, legal terminology, and procedures;
• Methods, techniques, equipment, and standards of drug and alcohol testing;
• File and information management methods and procedures;
• English grammar, spelling, punctuation, and composition;
• County policies regarding safe work practices.

Skill and Ability to:

• Perform the duties of Juvenile Detention Officer to federal, County, and state standards;
• Monitor inmates to ensure safety and security of the inmates, staff, and facility;
• Operate specialized detention equipment and security systems;
• Operate standard office equipment, including a personal computer using program applications appropriate to assigned duties;
• Operate a motor vehicle;
• Compile pertinent data and prepare clear, concise, and accurate reports;
• Maintain, interpret, and produce records, logs, documentation, and reports;
• Escort inmates to and from facilities, to and from court, and other appointments;
• Deal physically and/or verbally with uncooperative, distraught, and hostile inmates;
• Recognize unusual medical, physical, or mental conditions of prisoners;
• Work independently as well as in teams;
• Follow written and oral instructions;
• Understand and apply departmental, federal, state, and local law enforcement procedures, policies, rules and regulations;
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively, to recognize actual and potential dangers, and to determine proper course of action;
• Cope with stressful situations calmly, fairly, tactfully, and with respect for individual rights;
• Make sound and reasonable decisions in accordance with laws, ordinances, regulations, and established procedures;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with inmates, fellow staff members, supervisors, other County employees, the public, and with persons with varied racial, ethnic, or economic backgrounds;
• Communicate clearly and concisely, orally and in writing;
• Prepare accurate and grammatically correct written reports;
• Keep immediate supervisor and designated others fully and accurately informed concerning work progress, including present and potential work problems and suggestions for new or improved ways of addressing such problems;
• Respond to citizen requests in a courteous and effective manner;
• Perform a wide variety of duties and responsibilities with accuracy and speed under the pressure of time-sensitive deadlines;