Juvenile Detention Officer - Sierra Vista

As defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include any of the following tasks, knowledge, skills, and other characteristics. This list is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.

TYPICAL DUTIES: (Illustrative Only) Monitors and maintains a structured, caring, safe, healthy learning environment for detainees; controls and supervises the movement and activities of detainees; transports detained youth to and from the detention facility in and out of county; works a rotating shift work schedule including weekends and holidays and a regular rotating on-call schedule, which may require reporting to the transport facility during non-business hours; maintains security of the facility; provides effective role modeling and mentoring to youth in the transport facility; conducts inspections, security checks, and searches to include personal, cell, and area searches for contraband; initiates verbal and physical strength when necessary; performs routine clerical functions such as data entry while conducting screening intakes and releases of detainees; observes, monitors, and supervises the youth while in the transport facility; prepares and maintains written reports/records; delivers various programming and curriculum to youth designed to address youths’ risks and needs, which may include traveling to outlying areas within the county; maintains records and produces reports of all activity in the facility to include daily shift logs and incident reports; escorts youth to and from courtrooms and throughout the facility; transports detained youth to scheduled appointments in and out of county; serves as a dispatch for the Probation Department 24 hours a day, seven days a week; attends required trainings and meetings; provides information and limited instruction to new detention officers assigned to perform routine tasks in the facility; coordinates and facilitates various in-service education, officer safety trainings, and special projects; testifies at court hearings when necessary; assists in developing and implementing special plans to include program curriculum and mentorship to address youths’ risk and needs.

A minimum age of 21 years and must be a United States citizen or have legal resident status AND a high school diploma or equivalent.  Must possess and maintain a valid Arizona driver’s license and the ability to be covered by county insurance.  Must complete a physical examination and successfully complete the Arizona Detention Officer Certification Academy, and other mandatory training.  Must obtain First Aid/CPR certification within the first three months of employment.   

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Preference may be given to individuals who read, write, and speak Spanish. Preference may also be given to those applicants who possess at least one (1) year experience in a related field, such as but not limited to, criminal justice, social work, and/or counseling.

Considerable knowledge of:

• the proper methods of restraint and juvenile control;
• the principles, practices, and procedures of confidentiality as related to informational databases, a detention facility, and physical security.

Considerable skill in:

• self-control, patience, initiative, courtesy, tact, and diplomacy;
• operating office equipment such as communications equipment, a desktop computer, and client database.

Ability to:

• adhere to the Arizona Code of Conduct for judicial employees;
• exercise sound judgment in personal and professional matters;
• work impartially with individuals of various socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds;
• communicate with youth and the public in general in a courteous and respectful manger;
• maintain a neutral attitude toward all youth regardless of the reason for their detention;
• respond to stressful situations calmly, quickly, and decisively;
• establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, other employees, other agencies, and the public with demonstrated ability to work closely and effectively with coworkers in a team structure;
• maintain confidentiality of youth information;
• adapt quickly in a fast-changing environment;
• read, write, and speak English;
• communicate effectively verbally and in writing.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: Work is performed under general supervision in a secure facility with appropriate climate controls where the possibility of violence and harm exists.   Travel and driving required.  May require working evenings and weekends.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:  Essential functions of this position require: manual dexterity, ability to communicate, lifting, kneeling, squatting, climbing, crawling, stooping, turning/twisting, balancing, reaching, and handling with varying frequencies.  

Medium work:  Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, involves sitting, walking, and standing regularly.  Incumbents may be required to kneel, crouch/squat, crawl, climb, stoop, turn/twist, balance, reach, feel, or manipulate with hands.

Mental application:   Utilizes memory for details and verbal instructions, requires emotional stability, critical thinking, and adaptability; creative problem-solving skills.  

Reasonable accommodations will be made for those able to perform the essential functions of the job with or without accommodation.

Cochise County is an Equal Opportunity Employer