Juvenile Detention Officer - Jefferson County

TARGET CLOSE DATE:

10/10/2025

PAY GRADE:

Grade 17

TYPE:

Full time

JOB SUMMARY:

Jefferson County is seeking to Juvenile Detention Officers to be responsible for overseeing the security, safety, hygiene, recreation, discipline, and general welfare of juveniles held in the Jefferson County Youth Detention Center. Employees in this job class supervise and monitor the activities of juvenile residents, conduct intake processing of juvenile offenders who are brought into the youth detention center, oversee the transport of juvenile residents to off-site locations, and complete various paperwork (e.g., daily logs, incident reports, visitation logs). Juvenile Detention Officers have no supervisory responsibilities of subordinate personnel, and is required to work in secure detention facilities, courtrooms, and/or medical facilities.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

Jefferson County provides competitive pay and comprehensive benefits packages to include medical and dental insurance, employer-sponsored retirement plan (pension), generous paid holidays, sick and vacation leave, and more. The pay range for this job is listed below:

Jefferson County $20.21 - $31.36

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

The following are job-related qualifications that are required for employment consideration for this position:

• Driver’s license.

• High School diploma or GED.

• Aged 21 or older.

• No felony convictions or misdemeanors involving incidents of moral turpitude against people (e.g., 3rd-degree assault or domestic violence).

TYPICAL JOB DUTIES:

• Monitors the detention center in Central Control using video screens, telephones, radios, and alarms to observe the activities of residents and visitors in all areas of the facility to maintain safety and security of residents and staff.

• Maintains records and logs associated with detained residents using various forms and computer programs to ensure activities are documented and available for review at any time.

• Follows state and departmental regulations, residents' handbook and policies and procedures handbook to enforce rules, regulations, discipline, and ensure the cleanliness, safety, and efficient operation of the detention center.

• Oversees and conducts intake process of juvenile offenders as they are brought to the Youth Detention Center to be held as residents from police department, family court, or other agencies.

• Oversees the transport, transfer, and/or release of residents as they move through the detention facility and to off-site locations to maintain a safe, secure, efficient, and orderly process.

• Ensures the physical safety of detained residents by monitoring resident activities and preventing harmful situations.

• Assists in the maintenance of residents’ physical and mental health by administering minor first aid, prescription medications, offering counsel/advice, and other procedures as dictated by emergency or necessity.

• Supervises juvenile residents by monitoring and interacting with the residents, asking questions, responding to complaint/grievances, taking disciplinary action, or attending to others problem encountered during a shift.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Job involves physical exertion required for sustained periods of light physical activity such as walking or standing. Job may involve occasional lifting of items or objects weighing in excess of 50 lbs. Job may require applying self-defense and restraint tactics to defend oneself from physical attack.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work is conducted almost exclusively indoors in a detention facility setting or external places such as court rooms or medical facilities. Work involves use of standard office equipment (e.g., computer, phone, copier) and various restraints (e.g., handcuffs, shackles). May be required to work holidays and overtime due to inclement weather, limited staffing or other extenuating circumstances. Job may require working evening, night, or weekend shifts.
*Note: The training period will occur during the day shift, but upon completion of training new employees may be assigned to work the evening, weekend, or night shifts.

EEO STATEMENT:

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or