Position Announcement

Job Title: Juvenile Detention Officer

Starting Hourly Rate: $22.5110

Position Status: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Varies; includes nights, weekends, and holidays

Position Summary

The Juvenile Detention Officer maintains a safe, clean, and secure environment that deals with each youth in a fair, firm, consistent, and compassionate manner, treating each juvenile with respect and dignity while holding them to behavioral expectations. Work is performed according to state law, department and county policies and procedures. The Juvenile Detention Officer will work with court involved youth in a secure twenty-four-hour detention setting. This position requires an individual who can deal with all youth in a fair, firm, compassionate and consistent manner while reinforcing positive behavior expectations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Assists with the admission process; completes appropriate admission documents; performs strip and clothing searches; provides orientation to new detainees.
• Performs security, safety, and custodial care duties; performs physical plant searches; performs head counts; transports detainees for court hearing and medical appointments.
• Provides guidance, care, and support to detainees and facilitates constructive relationships; responds to crisis situations in a safe, effective manner; prepares and serves meals; observes and records behavior pattern changes in juveniles.
• Keeps areas clean and neat, washes detainee clothing.
• Assists with the release process; makes proper identification of all juveniles prior to release and completes release documents.
• Attends staff meetings and completes mandatory training.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Some knowledge of juvenile behavior and effective communication techniques.
• Some knowledge of criminal justice administration as it pertains to juveniles.
• Knowledge of local government operations, Human Resource related programs, policies and plans, and modern office practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and other similar programs.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to provide guidance, care, and support to detainees and to facilitate constructive relationships.
• Ability to exercise authority with firmness, tact, and impartiality.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergencies.
• Ability to physically restrain persons during detention activities.
• Ability to pursue individuals on foot (i.e., run) during detention activities.
• Ability to lift and/or move heavy objects and/or persons during rescue activities.
• Ability to visually read written reports, correspondence, and supervise youth.
• Ability to hear and understand spoken communication with other individuals in person and using a telephone or radio.
• Ability to treat juveniles with respect and dignity while reinforcing positive behaviors.
• Ability to obtain compliance with detention facility rules and regulations.
• Ability to successfully complete mandatory training.
• Ability to maintain records and prepare reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisor, other court services staff, juveniles and family members, and the general public.
• Ability to deal properly with confidential and sensitive matters.

Required Qualifications

• Able and willing to work any shift and attend all mandatory training and meetings.
• Must meet all state requirements for probation/detention officers in the State of Illinois.
• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited University.
• Currently on the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts hiring eligibility list.
• Reside within the 11^th Judicial Circuit within six (6) months of employment.
• Must be a U.S. Citizen.
• Must hold a valid driver’s license.
• Successfully pass a criminal and DCFS background check and drug screening
•  Valid Illinois Driver’s License

Preferred Qualifications

• Course work in criminal justice, psychology, sociology, social work, or related field.
• Experience working with adolescents, or experience in treatment, detention, or similar setting.

Physical Attributes/Demands

• Must possess physical strength and agility with freedom from disabling defect.
• Must be able to pursue individuals on foot and physical restrain persons.
• Must be able to lift and/or move heavy objects and/or persons during rescue activities.
• Must possess cognitive ability to exercise independent judgement and initiative.

Work Environment

The Juvenile Detention Officer will work in a secure environment that is temperature-controlled consisting of a twenty-six (26) bed facility that houses males and females ranging from ten (10) to twenty-one (21) years old. During transport and other related job duties, the Juvenile Detention Officer will be outdoors going between buildings and vehicles. May include exposure to body fluids and potentially angry and/or dangerous persons.

Benefits Package

McLean County offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• Medical Member Rewards Program
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flex Spending Account (FSA)
• Dependent Spending Account (DSA)
• Supplemental Insurance: Life, Critical Illness and Accident
• County provided Life Insurance
• Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund (IMRF Pension)
• Paid time off: vacation days, personal days, sick days, holidays
• Identity Protection
• Charitable Giving
• Employee Assistance Program

About McLean County Government

McLean County is the largest county by land area in the state of Illinois with a population of over 172,000. McLean County Government is a fast-moving and dynamic workplace established to locally administer Illinois State laws and serve the community in a variety of ways throughout our multitude of departments. With a $97 million operating budget, over 800 employees, and an Aa1 Bond Rating, McLean County Government is positioned to maintain and expand its reputation for excellence in local government.

To learn more about all the services McLean County Government provides the community, please visit https://mcleancountyil.gov/. A full list of Departments with a description of their function can be located at https://www.mcleancountyil.gov/8/Departments.

How to Apply

Click “Apply Now” at the top of this post.

*If applying through a third party job board, please fill out an application via McLean County Government’s Job Board located at https://il-mcleancounty.civicplushrms.com/careers/Jobs.aspx

Confidentiality of your application is maintained upon request.

McLean County Government is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.