JUVENILE DETENTION OFFICER

The salary for this position is: $4,730.00 - $6,291.00 monthly.

Thurston County's Juvenile Court is excited to be recruiting for one (1) Juvenile Detention Officer. As a Juvenile Detention Officer, you will supervise, monitor, and provide care for youthful offenders and other youth confined upon arrest or by order of the court in a secure detention facility. You will provide direction of daily activities; monitor compliance with court ordered conditions; record observations of youth for input to probation counselors and other individuals and agencies working with court involved youth.

Essential functions may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Operate the electronic security system and walk-through magnetometer screening devices.
• Conduct intake and release procedures with youth, assesses critical needs of youth, and classifies youth for safety/security concerns. 
• Instructs youth and family members on the procedures and regulations of the facility.
• Prepares youth for detention school program; provides transportation services. 
• Provides emotional support to youth; makes recommendations to probation counselors and appropriate medical and mental health professionals.
• Documents incidents, recommends and directs the use of interventions in response to and for redirecting inappropriate behavior. 
• When authorized, may use physical control with youth. 
• Performs immediate basic first aid as required. 
• As medically prescribed, distributes medications to youth. 
• Readies youth for court appearances. 

To view the full job classification, click here: Juvenile Detention Officer

 

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

This position may work non-standard work hours, including weekends, and holidays, and 12-hour shifts. Open shift hours and days to be determined. Travel may be required to transport youth and attend trainings and/or meetings.

 

WHO WE ARE:

Thurston County values the diversity of the people it hires and serves. Inclusion to us means fostering a workplace in which individual differences are recognized, appreciated, and responded to in ways that fully develop and utilize each person’s talents and strengths. We are dedicated to recruiting and developing a talented workforce from various cultures, lifestyles, backgrounds, and perspectives who are committed to our vision and core values. Thurston County Racial Equity and Inclusion Webpage

 

WHAT WE OFFER OUR EMPLOYEES:

• Work-Life Balance: We are committed to ensure that our staff experience the reward of public service.
• Plan For Your Future: As a member of our team, you will enjoy great employee benefits, including a retirement plan, pre-tax savings accounts, as well as comprehensive health care and dental/vision care for you and your family. Please visit Thurston County Employee Benefit Plans for more information.
• Paid Leave: Full-time regular employees earn paid vacation in addition to paid holidays.
• Robust Training Program: Employees are encouraged to attend County paid training to help them further their career, learn new skill sets, and stay on top of emerging trends in our industry. We also encourage our staff to participate in professional organizations and attend conferences.
• Deferred Compensation: The County offers 3 voluntary deferred compensation plans for employees who would like to set aside additional deferred tax dollars into a retirement savings plan.
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA): Employees can take advantage of Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses with pre-tax dollars.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: This is a federal program which allows full-time public service employees who have made qualifying payments for certain loans, to get their student loans repaid. Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

 

Why you’ll love it here: Thurston County is located between Seattle and Portland in Western Washington’s South Puget Sound Region. Perched in between the mountains and the ocean, the area boasts the perfect blend of year-round outdoor activities including boating, hiking, skiing, and more. The region is also home to the state capitol city of Olympia, known for its many restaurants, microbreweries, coffee shops, farmer’s markets, kids’ activities, history, and art events. Discover more about life in Thurston County at Experienceolympia.com.

Message to potential applicants: We understand that some potential applicants are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the functions or skills listed in a job description. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and we understand that may be someone who will learn some of these skills on the job. If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum qualifications, we encourage you to go ahead and apply! Feel free to think about how you will bring your own set of skills to the role and tell us about the potential that you hold. 

 

QUALIFICATIONS: 

• A high school diploma or GED and two years of experience working with youths. Additional education may substitute for experience on a year-for-year basis.
• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Before hire, candidates for this position shall successfully demonstrate an acceptable level of physical fitness for the job.  For this purpose, the standard set for the Physical Abilities Test (PAT) by the Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission for a requisite level of physical fitness shall be met.  Hired employees must maintain this standard through Training Commission testing and successful completion of the Juvenile Corrections Personnel Academy (JCPA).
• Employees will successfully complete the Security Worker's Training Academy 
  within six months of the date of employment. 
• Detention employees will successfully complete a training program in Proper Use of Physical Force (Defensive Tactics) once each year. 
• Must pass a background investigation through provided identification and fingerprints; including but not limited to: driving record, work history, education and criminal history.
• Must possess, or obtain upon hire, a food handler’s permit and a valid First Aid and CPR Card. 
• Must have and maintain a valid Washington State Driver’s License. 

 

DESIRED SKILLS: 

• Bachelor’s degree in a criminal justice, psychology, or other applicable field is highly desirable.
• Specialized education and/or training in providing social skills training geared toward youth learning styles.

 

OTHER RELATED RECRUITMENT INFORMATION:

Questions about this recruitment? Please contact: Reggie Gaither, Juvenile Detention Manager by email at reggie.gaither@co.thurston.wa.us.

 

This position is:

• Represented by a Union
• Eligible for benefits
• Eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
• Contingent upon passing a background investigation 

Items required for consideration:

• Application
• Letter of Interest
• Resume
• Applicant Disclosure Questions (Supplemental Questions)

 

Please note: Information in this announcement is subject to change without notice at any time during the length of the job advertisement.

 

THURSTON COUNTY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Thurston County is committed to provide equal opportunity to all persons seeking or having access to its employment, services and activities, which is free from restriction based on race, sex, marital status, color, creed or religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, including gender expression or identity, pregnancy, status as an honorably discharged veteran or military status, genetic information, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, unless based upon bona fide occupational qualifications. Applicants with disabilities who need accommodation with the application or selection process should contact Thurston County’s Human Resources, at (360) 786-5498.  Those who are deaf, deaf-blind, hard of hearing or speech impaired may use the statewide relay system to reach Thurston County offices and departments to conduct their business telephonically. Relay users can simply dial 7-1-1 (or 1-800-833-6388) to connect with Washington Relay.