Juvenile Institutions Officer III

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• 
  Acts as the lead staff member in custodial units and may, on assignment, supervise special projects or programs affiliated with Juvenile Hall or alternative to custody programs.
  
• Observe, assist, admit and release juveniles in accordance with prescribed procedures.
  
• Orients juveniles to the routines, procedures, and rules of Juvenile Hall.
  
• Supervises personal hygiene, table habits, care of clothing and living areas.
  
• Teaches work skills and games and assists in planning and supervising recreational and leisure time.
  
• Supervises and participates in housekeeping, maintenance and grounds activities with juveniles.
  
• Observes and supervises juveniles while in custody, operated programs and during family visits.
  
• Provides group and individual guidance as assigned and needed.
  
• Enforces discipline and maintains security; writes incident, adjustments and release reports.
  
• Transports juveniles to/from court, hospitals, and other facilities as necessary.
  
• Works with probation officers, teaching staff, mental health staff and law enforcement personnel.
  
• Use appropriate level of force, when necessary, for the purpose of stopping and/or restraining combative youth.
  
• Serves as a lead worker on an assigned shift in planning and assigning the work of staff.
  
• Assists in the supervision, training and providing input for evaluation of subordinate staff members.
  
• Performs supervisory and/or administrative duties in the absence of the Supervising Juvenile Institutions Officer.

Experience:
Two (2) years of full-time paid experience in supervising juveniles in an institutional setting including one (1) year equivalent to Juvenile Institutions Officer II in Merced County.

Education:
Completion of one (1) year of college. Full-time paid experience in an institutional setting may substitute for the required college units on a year-for-year basis.

License:
Possess a valid California driver's license at time of appointment and maintain.

Certificates:

• California Penal Code Section 832 requirements regarding arrest, search and seizure.
  
• Possession of Board of Corrections Certificate for Juvenile Institutions Officers Core course and evidence of continued compliance with annual training requirements.
  
• First Aid and CPR Certificates, which shall be kept current during employment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• 
  Operate a personal computer and other modern office equipment.
  
• Communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
  
• Analyze data, interpret directions, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
  
• Perform job duties under stressful conditions and respond appropriately to situations.
  
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations.
  
• Drive van to transport juveniles; inspect/investigate situations; physically restrain juveniles.
  
• Respond quickly and use good judgment in emergencies.
  
• Comprehend and follow written and oral instructions.
  
• Write clear and concise reports.
  
• When necessary for safety or staff or youth lift/move with/without help objects weighing over 150 pounds.
  
• Kneel, bend, twist, squat, balance and crawl.
  
• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.
  
• Frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.
  
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination; repetitive hand and arm motion.
  
• Normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.
  
• Regular attendance is an essential function.

• Provisions of the California Penal, Welfare and Institutions, Civil, Education, Vehicle, Health and Safety and Administrative Codes pertaining to the Department's functions.
  
• County and Departmental Policies and Procedures.
  
• Principles and methods of working with delinquent and emotionally disturbed juveniles.
  
• Growth, development, needs and problems of children; individual and group guidance techniques.
  
• Behavior modification and crisis intervention techniques, basic training and supervision techniques.
  
• Security precautions associated with juvenile detention.
  
• Personal hygiene, basic first aid and CPR techniques.
  
• Laws and ordinances governing the custody and care of juveniles in a juvenile institution.

• Provide guidance, support and direction to individual minors and groups of minors as needed.
  
• Exercises good judgment in day-to-day activities and in controlling disturbances.
  
• Effectively enforce and interpret Juvenile Hall and other program rules, regulations and policies.
  
• Respond quickly and use good judgment in emergencies; deal fairly and effectively with staff/minors.
  
• Establish and maintain an effective working relationship with those contacted.
  
• Provide direction, training/mentoring and work evaluation for assigned staff.

HOLIDAYS & LEAVES

VACATION

10 days the first 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 160 hours), 15 days in the second 5 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 240 hours), and 20 days after 10 years of continuous employment (limited to a maximum of 320 hours).

SICK LEAVE

.0462 hours sick leave for each paid regularly scheduled work hour. 12 days (96 hours per year) with unlimited accumulation. Optional annual buy back of a portion of accumulated sick leave hours upon meeting certain criteria.

HOLIDAYS

Twelve paid holidays annually plus one optional holiday.

BEREAVEMENT LEAVE

Three (3) regularly scheduled work days or five (5) days if distance traveled over 500 miles one-way.

INSURANCE

HEALTH INSURANCE

County paid health plan with maximum contributions; 100% for employee up to maximum of $420, 50% of dependent up to maximum of $100 for child/$220 for spouse biweekly. There are multiple health plans to choose from. County paid dental and vision plans, 100% for employee, with 50% of dependent premiums paid by the County.

County sponsored employee health clinic available for zero or reduced co-pay depending on selected health plan.

DISABILITY INSURANCE

State Disability Insurance - Benefit based on highest quarter during previous calendar year. Employee pays premium.

LIFE INSURANCE

$10,000 County-paid coverage (Accidental Death and Dismemberment included). Voluntary Term Life and Universal Life Insurance available - premium paid by employee.

RETIREMENT

DEFERRED COMPENSATION

The County offers a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Employees choose their investment funds and can make pretax contributions to the plan up to the maximum allowable.

MERCED COUNTY EMPLOYEE RETIREMENT ASSOCIATION