Juvenile Corrections Officer I - Probation Department

DEFINITION

JUVENILE CORRECTIONS OFFICER I Probation Department
What You'll Do:

• Oversee and monitor daily activities of juvenile detainees.
• Explains, monitors and enforces facility rules and safety and security measures.
• Write special incident reports detailing incidents that occur in Juvenile Hall.
• Communicates and consults with probation officers, attorneys, families, law enforcement and social services agencies.
• Maintains daily logs and records on participation in programs and activities.

Where You'll Do It:
This position is located in the Juvenile Hall in Eureka, CA

The typical schedule can be any combination of 8 hour shifts:

• 7am - 3pm
• 3pm - 11pm
• or 11pm - 7am

This includes weekends and holidays.

Must Be Able To:

• Stand on your feet for long periods of time.
• Physically restrain abusive juveniles.
• Work in a team oriented environment.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

The successful candidate for this position, will be required to undergo an extensive background investigation.

This recruitment is open until filled. County Human Resources reserves the right to close this recruitment at any time.

The successful applicant for this recruitment will need to attend and pass BOTH a written exam and oral exam. The written exam will be held IN PERSON, in EUREKA, CALIFORNIA. A written exam session will be held every THURSDAY and successful applicants will receive an email invitation to attend.

DEFINITION

Under general supervision, oversees, monitors and counsels juvenile detainees; ensures the safety and security of detainees in Juvenile Hall or the Regional Facility; performs related work as assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Juvenile Corrections Officer I is the entry level in this series. Initially under close supervision, incumbents learn and perform duties related to the operation of the Juvenile Hall or Regional Facility. As experience is gained, there is greater independence of action within established guidelines. This class is alternately staffed with Juvenile Corrections Officer II and incumbents may advance to the higher class level after gaining experience and demonstrating proficiency, which meet the qualifications of the higher level.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Processes juveniles into the juvenile facility following department procedures including recording and securing valuables, assigning rooms and orienting new detainees; completes and processes paperwork for the admission, care and release of juveniles and provides information regarding their legal rights.
• Oversees and monitors the safety, security, treatment, recreation, personal hygiene and other daily living activities of juvenile detainees.
• Searches juveniles and their quarters for prohibited possessions or contraband; inspects and directs cleaning activities of juveniles for maintenance of sanitation, orderliness and safety of room, bath and other common areas.
• Counsels juveniles and their families; develops treatment plans including behavior modification goals; provides crisis intervention and referral as required; conducts or assists in group sessions to provide supportive counseling and self-help education.
• Explains, monitors and enforces facility rules and safety and security measures; searches juveniles for contraband.
• Models and promotes acceptable attitudes and behavior of juveniles to assist them in adjusting to confinement; confers with assigned supervisors and others regarding behavior issues; holds juveniles accountable for their behavior.
• Enters and retrieves a variety of information from a computer; maintains daily logs and records on participation in programs and activities and other related data; prepares reports on juvenile activities and behavior.
• Communicates and consults with probation officers, attorneys, families, and law enforcement and social service agencies regarding juveniles.
• Writes special reports as requested.
• Reviews medical orders; ensures juveniles receive prescribed medication when appropriate; performs first aid when needed; may complete routine medical screening.
• May assist with on-call probation intake services as needed; takes calls from law-enforcement and gathers information to forward to the on-call probation officer.
• Transports juveniles; restrains physically abusive juveniles.
• Supervises and monitors juveniles on work crews.
• Attends staff meetings; participates in training both in and out of county as appropriate. • Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, methods and equipment used in a juvenile detention facility.
• Methods and techniques of dealing appropriately with juveniles in custody.
• Applicable federal, state and local laws, regulations and standards.
• Principles and practices of applied psychology and behavior modification procedures, particularly for juvenile offenders.
• Safety and security practices and precautions relating to a juvenile detention facility. Basic principles, practices and procedures of juvenile civil and criminal justice systems. Computer applications and hardware related to the work including database management and retrieval of information.
• First aid and CPR.
• Record keeping principles and the operation of standard office equipment including the use of personal or online computers.

Skill in:

• Assessing and evaluating the risks and needs of juvenile detainees.
• Overseeing and monitoring the daily living activities of juvenile detainees.
• Monitoring and enforcing rules and safety and security measures.
• Responding in emergency and crisis situations calmly and effectively.
• Exercising initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Preparing clear and concise reports, records and other written materials.
• Operating standard office equipment and using a computer system.
• Understanding and following oral and written directions.
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Other Requirements:

• Must possess a valid California driver's license.
• Must be a citizen of the United States.
• Must be at least eighteen years of age at the time of appointment.
• Must be a high school graduate, have passed the GED Test or have attained a two year or four year degree from an accredited college or university.
• Must be able to meet physical and psychological standards and pass a detailed background investigation.
• Must obtain CPR and First Aid training certification prior to completion of probation.
• Level I must complete State Corrections Standards Authority STC Juvenile Corrections Core Training course prior to completion of probation.

Desirable Education and Experience:

A typical way to obtain the knowledge and skills outlined above is:

Equivalent to possession of an Associate of Arts degree with major coursework in psychology, counseling or a related field and one year of experience in working with juveniles in counseling, intervention or a similar structured setting.

WORKING CONDITIONS & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

CalPERS Retirement

• Tier I: Up to 12/31/2012: 3% @ 50
• Tier II: Post 1/1/2013: 2.7% @ 57

Selection Procedure
The County’s Human Resources system operates by a set of rules and procedures which ensure that employees are hired and promoted on the basis of merit and fitness for the job. Jobs are filled through competitive examinations.
A complete online application is required for this position. All application materials will be reviewed by a panel of subject matter experts. Those candidates considered to be the most qualified, based on the application materials submitted, will be invited to a written and/or oral examination, or an evaluation of education and experience.

Policy of Nondiscrimination
The County of Humboldt does not discriminate on the basis of mental or physical disability in the admission or access to, treatment or employment in, its programs or activities. Human Resources is located in the Humboldt County Courthouse, which has an accessible entrance to the Courthouse is the 4th Street entrance. Accessible parking is available adjacent to the 4th Street entrance and on the 4th Street side of the K Street lot. Special testing arrangements may be made to accommodate disabilities or religious convictions. Contact Human Resources at (707) 476-2349 well in advance of the examination for assistance.

The County is an equal opportunity employer. We enthusiastically accept our responsibility to make employment decisions without regard to race, religion or religious creed, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, military service, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local laws or ordinances. Reasonable accommodation may be made in the testing procedure as well as the work site. If you need accommodation for an exam due to a disability, please contact the Human Resources office as soon as possible.