JUVENILE DETENTION OFFICER

General Information

This is detention work overseeing the safety, security, daily schedule, and activities of juveniles in the Strickland Youth Center.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: AVAILABILITY OF

COMPUTERS AND SCANNERS

Reservations for computers are encouraged. Computers may be reserved in 30 minute time periods. Consecutive 30 minute time periods are also available. Please call (251) 470-7727, extension “0” to make a reservation.

Walk-ins are welcome. However, priority use of the equipment will be given to those with reservations. Computer stations are limited in order to maintain social distancing and will be cleaned at the end of each timed reservation.

While on site, please take precautions to protect yourself and others from Covid-19 by wearing a mask and maintaining social distance as outlined in the Center for Disease Control (CDC) Guidelines.

Please also note that our lobby has limited capacity in order to maintain social distancing. No more than one person may accompany those using the computers and both parties must remain in the individual kiosk area that was reserved.

NOTICE:

Documents are not automatically attached to your JobOpps account (profile). You must select and attach required documents to every application through the attachments tab on the application screen when you are applying.

It is extremely important to provide a valid email address on your application and to monitor the email account for notifications and additional information.

As you create a JobOpps account, you will be asked for Notification Preferences (email or paper). Paper notification is not available; therefore, "email" should be selected. All notifications will be sent by email only.

To ensure that messages arrive in your inbox safely, please add @personnelboard.org and @governmentjobs.com to your Safe Sender list. If you need details on how to add email addresses to your Safe Sender list, please refer to the Help documentation of your email program, or contact your email service provider.

JURISDICTION YEARLY RATE
MOBILE COUNTY $36,652 - $58,593

EXAMINATION: IMPORTANT NOTICE TO APPLICANTS. READ CAREFULLY. No written or oral examination will be required. Applicants will be scored on the basis of an evaluation of their education, training, experience and personal qualifications as outlined by the candidates' sworn statements in their application, upon corroborative evidence obtained by investigation and the applicants' responses to the job-specific Supplemental Questions. Applicants must provide all background information and supportive documents as requested on the application, supplemental questions and job posting.

Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: Graduation from a standard senior high school, or the successful completion of the General Educational Development (GED) test, preferably supplemented by college level coursework and experience or training in corrections or dealing with juveniles.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Must be certified in American Red Cross First Aid, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, Automated External Defibrillator, and restraint techniques adopted by SYC in accordance with licensing requirements of the Alabama State Department of Youth Services and the American Correctional Association Standards for Juvenile Detention Facilities within the first three months of employment and recertified annually thereafter. Must possess a valid driver's license from state of residence.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS OF THE WORK:

Ability to evaluate and take prompt, effective action in physical altercations and emergency situations.

Ability to determine the appropriate level of force needed for juvenile restraint.

Ability to be certified in Cardiovascular Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR).

Ability to use appropriate judgment when dealing with residents.

Ability to recognize and address unusual behaviors, changes in behavior, signs of abuse, gang activity, conflict among juveniles, and neglect.

Ability to instruct juveniles.

Ability to obtain and verify information.

Ability to understand and follow verbal and written instructions.

Ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Ability to observe others.

Ability to maintain routine records.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with juveniles, court officials, other employees, and the general public.

Ability to communicate effectively in word and written communication.

Ability to be certified in first aid.

Ability to be certified in Automated External Defibrillator (AED).

Ability to complete reports.

Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Ability to restrain juveniles of both sexes when needed.

Ability to provide guidance to residents.

Ability to maintain patience.

Ability to maintain positive attitude.

Ability to write clear and concise reports.

Ability to listen and empathize with troubled youth.

Ability to appropriately respond to abusive language and conduct in a manner consistent with instructions received in training.

Ability to learn and apply federal, state, and local policies, procedures, and regulations.

Ability to adapt to changes in assignment, methods, policies, etc.

Ability to maintain requirements for motor vehicle insurability.

Ability to perform basic math calculations to include addition and subtraction.

Ability to provide constructive feedback to correct behavior.

Ability to use computers and Microsoft Word.

Ability to work a variety of shifts, weekends, holidays, and additional hours when required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to focus and maintain alertness.

Ability to physically restrain or detain individuals.

Ability to stand and walk for long periods of time.

Ability to exert physical effort in light to strenuous work, which may involve some lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling of objects, materials or juveniles.

Ability to stoop, climb, crouch, and kneel.

Ability to sit for extended periods of time.

Ability to maintain appropriate levels of fitness in order to perform responsibilities.

Ability to recognize and identify similarities and differences between shade, degree or value of colors, shapes, forms, textures or physical appearance associated with job related objects, materials, tasks or people.

Ability to lift at least 80 pounds.

Description

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (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.)

Supervises residents placed in detention facility to ensure their safety, security, and welfare.

Maintains observation and supervision of residents assigned to room confinement or designated as suicidal in accordance with SYC policies and procedures to ensure the safety and well being of the residents.

Maintains a log of prescribed medication given to residents in order to keep proper documentation.

Physically restrains or disarms disorderly residents utilizing techniques approved by Strickland Youth Center to ensure the safety and well being of personnel and residents.

Conducts hall checks and room searches by visually observing resident cells, doors, light fixtures, and windows to ensure the safety and welfare of residents.

Maintains daily log of interaction with residents, shift activities, personal belongings, and visitors using computers or in writing to communicate shift operations to audit staff, oncoming shift personnel, management, and any others authorized to review.

Instructs residents on the policies, procedures, and daily routine of the Strickland Youth Center (SYC), hygiene, Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), suicide prevention, and personal conduct to ensure safety and welfare of residents.

Uses security and emergency equipment (e.g. two-way radio, keys, handcuffs and other mechanical restraints, AED, fire extinguisher) to ensure the safety and security of residents and facility.

Operates electronic surveillance system to monitor interior and exterior areas and activities throughout the facility, including control of entry and departure of personnel and visitors to ensure compliance with facility safety and security procedures.

Documents incidents, resident movement, and other information by taking photographs and completing reports and required records to ensure compliance with facility operating procedures, rules, and regulations and state and federal statutes.

Conducts fire and safety drills with residents to ensure knowledge and familiarity of proper safety procedures.

Conducts intake admissions process for juveniles arriving to the facility by taking photos, checking for injuries, conducting pat downs, and strip searches, securing valuables, issuing clothing, examining clothing and packages, and completing intake paperwork to ensure safety and security of workers and juveniles.

Inspects the physical and mental status of juvenile (e.g., visible injuries or inebriation) during intake process in order to inform supervisor of whether the resident needs medical attention.

Administers medication to residents and oversees application of medication to ensure all parasites (e.g. lice) are eliminated.

Transports and accompanies residents to medical appointments, counseling sessions, state school, jails, hospital, funerals, and other locations as required by court orders using SYC secured vehicles to ensure safe and secure transport of all residents.

Briefs the incoming shift of any problems through verbal discussion to maintain employee awareness.

Communicates with master control and other staff using a two-way radio to complete duties (e.g. transport, resident movement, and emergency situations).

Completes training as required for professional development, safety, and accreditation purposes.

Administers drug test to new residents and prepares report regarding results of the drug test for documentation purposes.

Distributes food to residents on room confinement or on suspended privileges using a cart in order to ensure residents receive proper nutrition.

Administers first aid, CPR, and/or AED to residents as needed.

Performs Crisis Center responsibilities including supervision and coordination of resident activities when assigned.

Trains new staff on SYC policies and procedures to ensure knowledge of rules and regulations is maintained.

Responds to and may redirect questions and inquiries from parents, law enforcement officials, and community organizations regarding SYC practices and procedures using multi-line phones in order to ensure appropriate information is provided.

Supervises residents in the performance of housekeeping duties to ensure sanitation requirements are met.

Confers with intake staff, probation officers, court personnel, senior management staff, and others to convey information which may impact the adjudication of resident cases.

Assigns housekeeping responsibilities to residents to ensure acceptable levels of sanitary conditions in the facility.

Recommends appropriate levels and types of disciplinary action in order to correct behavior.

Performs housekeeping duties, such as sweeping, mopping, disposing of garbage, maintaining supplies, laundry, cleaning windows, bathrooms, and other areas of detention to ensure a clean and sanitary environment.

Responds to emergency situations and assists staff to diffuse aggressive situations by restraining combative residents when necessary in order to maintain safety and security of staff and residents.

Ensures resident is ready for state school transfer by verifying all necessities are packed in order to facilitate with the transfer process.

Completes forms for residents such as incident reports, probation officer request, and phone calls for documentation purposes.

Provides class room security when requested by supervisor in order to maintain safety.

Performs related work as required.

Important Information

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF WORK: An employee in this class is responsible for overseeing juveniles detained in the Strickland Youth Center, ensuring the safety, custody, discipline of juveniles, and documenting all juvenile related activities. Work is performed on an assigned shift under the general supervision of a Juvenile Detention Coordinator or Juvenile Detention Supervisor in accordance with established laws and procedures. The employee may be required to use strength and agility in restraining juveniles. Male Detention Officers will supervise male residents only; female Detention Officers will supervise only female residents in their respective living areas.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL APPLICANTS NOTICE:

Documents are not automatically attached to your JobOpps account (profile). You must select and attach required documents to every application through the attachments tab on the application screen when you are applying.
__________________
All applications must be submitted online through the Mobile County Personnel Board JobOpps site.
Paper applications will not be accepted and will be returned. An email address is required for all applications. For information on obtaining an email address, visit the FAQs link (Download PDF reader) on the Job Opportunities page at www.personnelboard.org. The Mobile County Personnel Board does not endorse any particular provider.

Accuracy and truthfulness are of primary importance for Merit System employment and all applications are reviewed with this in mind. Errors, omissions and inaccurate information on the application will be construed as an incomplete application and will result in rejection of the application. Therefore, special attention should be given to each and every question and every attempt made to answer each correctly.

Resumes will not be accepted in place of completing the education and experience sections of the application.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED
Applications must be complete and all required or supplemental documents (college transcripts, driver's license, and/or certifications) must be attached at the time of submitting the application. See the job posting and the supplemental questions for required documents for each job posting.
If needed, computers and scanners are available in our office
at 1809 Government Street, Mobile, Alabama.
Our office hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday - Friday, except for major holidays.

Only one application will be accepted per applicant per job posting.
Subsequent applications submitted for the same job posting will be rejected.
COLLEGE TRANSCRIPTSCollege transcripts, where required or otherwise to be considered, must be attached as part of completing an application. Grade reports, computer downloads of grades, and diplomas are not transcripts and will not be considered. Transcripts must be either an official or student copy issued by the educational institution. See the College Transcript Information (Download PDF reader) link on the Job Opportunities page at www.personnelboard.org for additional information and requirements regarding educational transcripts.

OPEN TO: All who meet the requirements as set forth in the job posting and who may lawfully be appointed to a position. Applicants for sworn law enforcement positions must be U.S. citizens.

RESIDENCE REQUIREMENTS: Unless otherwise stated in the job posting or supplemental questions, there are no residence requirements in order to apply. Applicants must bear all expenses incurred in reporting for testing or appointment. Upon appointment, the law gives the right to each Appointing Authority (Employer) to fix any further legal requirements regarding residence.

FINAL DATE FOR FILING APPLICATION: The completed application should be returned as soon as possible. In the event of tied scores, Rule 8.1 dictates that ties will be broken by the order in which applications are filed. Applications must be submitted by the final filing date and time specified on the job posting.

VETERANS PREFERENCE: For complete information on Veterans Preference points on an open competitive application, view the Veterans Information (Download PDF reader) link on the Job Opportunities page at www.personnelboard.org.

MEDICAL EXAMINATION: Eligibles selected for appointment must meet the established medical and physical standards for the class of work. The medical examination must be by one of the physicians designated by the Personnel Board. Appointees must bear the cost of the examination.

The Mobile County Personnel Department reserves the right to limit the number of applicants summoned for interview. In such instances, a preliminary appraisal of qualifications, as indicated by the completed application, will be utilized as a guide in the selection of candidates to be summoned.

Aid and assistance in the examination procedure is available for the visually or otherwise disabled. Assistance may be requested by contacting the Mobile County Personnel Board at 251-470-7727.

A "Practice Test Seminar" is held in the Personnel Department Office, 1809 Government Street, Mobile, Alabama, at 9:00 a.m. on the third Wednesday of every month. The purpose of these seminars is to acquaint applicants or interested citizens with design format and procedures utilized by the department in its administration of written test selection devices. Inasmuch as testing facilities are limited, the seminars will be on a first come, first served basis, as long as space remains available.

NOTICE: The continuing eligibility for appointment of those who secure a place on the eligible list is subject to future changes in specifications.
GEORGE SMITH, DIRECTOR

THE AGENCIES WE SERVE ARE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERS