The Juvenile Division of the Allen County Court of Common Pleas is now accepting applications and/or letters of interest for the position of Detention Officer – Male, Female, Full-Time, & Part-Time positions are available. Current employees may apply for this position via email or letter to the Human Resources Director which must include an updated resume. 

Pertinent Information: 

• Civil Service Status: Unclassified
• FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
• Employment Status: Full-Time
• Part-time: $18 to $18.50 upon completion of probationary period
• Full-time: $19 to $19.50 upon completion of probationary period
• Department Head:
  • Director of Detention Services
• Exempt Type: Not Applicable
• Up-Line Supervisor:
  • Deputy Director of Detention Services
• Scheduled hours are to be determined and are subject to change

DISTINGUISHING JOB CHARACTERISTICS:

• Maintain knowledge of, compliance with, and ability to impact the policies and procedures of the Allen County Juvenile Court and those of the Allen County Juvenile Detention Center as well as chapter 5139-37 of the Ohio Administrative Code.
• Visually monitor and control resident’s behavior in daily programs by observing behaviors, maintaining control, and administering disciplinary sanctions in accordance with policy.
• Supervise and direct the activities of residents in daily program by observing behaviors, maintaining control, and administering disciplinary sanctions in accordance with policy.
• Attend to the basic needs of the residents to include providing adequate food, shelter, and clothing.
• Set a positive example for residents by professional and responsible adult behavior.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Display professional behavior and conduct.
• Maintain the Facility in a secure, safe, sanitary, and organized manner.
• Make sound and reasonable decisions and judgments regarding daily operations and emergency situations.
• Conduct visual bed checks by observing and communicating with residents confined to rooms.
• Complete daily room searches by established procedures to control contraband and provide for the safety and security of the facility, residents, and staff.
• Prepare for and attend visitation, check and verify visitor identification, communicate and enforce visitation rules and policies.
• Document, search, and process the resident’s property upon intake and post-intake.
• Assist residents with self-administration of prescribed medications. Confirm proper administration of medications through observation and verification. Ensure that all residents taking medications are self-administering the proper dose through cross checking with the med chart.
• Ensure that all doses of medication administered are accounted for by having residents sign the med chart for each individual dose.
• Maintain accountability of all medicines through daily preparation and verification of med charts.
• Create, prepare, write and maintain required and applicable information in records, incident reports, intake logs, general forms, daily logs, medical charts, and all other forms or documents as required.
• Launder, mark, fold, dispense and properly store clothing, bedding, and linens as required.
• Complete routine and/or special cleaning assignments as scheduled or directed.
• Complete 80 hours of pre-service training as directed. Demonstrate proficiency through completion of a pre-service or post-promotional assessment.
• Attend in-service training programs as required and complete a minimum of 40 hours of training per year.
• Resolve problems, intervene in disturbances, and ensure the safety and security of staff, civilians, and residents.
• Complete Suicide Lethality Interviews and appropriate follow-up to ensure the safety of the resident in crisis.
• Record the resident’s behaviors, moods, and attitudes by completing the appropriate documentation as per policy.
• Maintain the ability to operate all security equipment as well as an understanding of all security features and functions of the facility and equipment (Control Room, Doors, Wing Gates, Audible Monitors, Video Monitors, Handcuffs, Shackles, O.C. Defensive Aerosol, Man-Down Alert System, Panic Buttons, Direct Line Telephones, Radio Communications, etc.)
• Document damages, needed maintenance, and repair requests as per policy.
• Complete and document the daily security check as per policy.
• Remove items from Resident’s rooms, change Resident room assignments, or place Residents into a holding room for observation as directed by the officer in charge, established policy, or if the situation requires such to ensure the safe, secure, and orderly operation of the facility.
• Confer with Supervisors on overall operations and programmatic functions of the Facility and give input to the development and design of programs, policies and procedures.
• Transport residents to scheduled appointments, emergent hospital visits, court appearances, etc. Maintain supervision of all residents under escort at all times.
• Prevent the escape of any resident attempting such whenever possible.
• Assist in the kitchen when necessary or as directed. Prepare and serve meals as per established policy.
• Receive, check and process deliveries to the facility.
• Receive, search, and process all intakes to the facility as per established policy.
• Process releases from the facility as per established policy.
• Complete Control Room Duties, identify and log all visitors, log all resident movement, control ingress and egress to/from the facility, answer the telephone in a professional manner, transfer calls, monitor the audible security system, monitor the video security system, and monitor the man-down system whenever covering the control room.
• Exercise self-restraint and non-personal prejudice when dealing/interacting with residents.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• This job description in no manner states or implies that these are the only duties and responsibilities to be performed by the employee filing this position, who will be required to follow instructions and perform any duties required by the employee’s supervisor or designee.

EQUIPMENT OPERATED:

Computers, DVD Player, Television, Radios, Telephone System, Video Security System, Audible Security System, Man-Down Alarm System, Pencil Sharpeners, Power Point Projector, Weather Alert Radio, Clothes Washer & Dryer, O.C. Defensive Aerosol, First Aid Kits, Handcuffs, Shackles, Security Search Equipment, Appliances, Dumbwaiter, Vacuum, Recreation Equipment, Water Hose, Cleaning Tools, and other miscellaneous correctional devices and tools.

CONTACT WITH OTHERS:

Judge, other Court personnel, co-workers, network community agencies, parents, residents, law enforcement, medical personnel, school officials, guest speakers, visitors, service providers, vendors, and inspectors.

CONFIDENTIAL DATA:

All information, files, images, communications, documents, electronic data, etc is to be considered confidential in nature unless otherwise indicated. The release of any information must be in accordance with policy or under direction from the Judge, Court Administrator, or Department Head.All employees of the Allen County Juvenile Detention Center are required to sign a confidentiality agreement.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The Allen County Juvenile Detention Center is a 26-bed secured correctional facility housing pre and post-adjudicated delinquent children. As in all correctional facilities, there is the potential for injury or even serious bodily harm. All residents of the facility should be considered dangerous as some residents have the potential to be threatening, hostile, and violent. Additionally, there is a potential for exposure to threatening and/or hostile family members and/or friends of detained residents. The facility is a well-organized, maintained, and clean environment with good office working conditions.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Knowledge of: Chapter 5139-37 of the Ohio Administrative Code. The Facility’s chain of command and its operational and programmatic functions. The Court & Facility’s policy & procedures manual. The facility’s emergency procedures. The Juvenile Justice System and acceptable work ethics.

ABILITY TO:

Impart supervision, leadership, direction and guidance to staff in practical work situations and emergencies. Develop a positive rapport and maintain effective working relationships with residents, staff, and the public. Communicate effectively and accurately and disseminate and reiterate information. Exercise sound judgment in dealing with possible sensitive personnel issues. Analyze problems and recommend viable solutions. Detect noises and visually observe activities for safety and security. Plan and organize work duties in addition to assigned or delegated duties and responsibilities in a manner acceptable to management. Maintain operational focus, efficiency, professionalism, and positive work results in a high stress environment.

SKILLED IN:

Verbal de-escalation of angry, hostile, or violent residents. Defensive tactics regarding response to resistance. Responding to and decision-making during emergency situations. Detecting and mitigating threats to facility security and/or the safety of the residents, staff, and public.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma or equivalent
• Associate Degree in Criminal Justice or Social Services related fields preferred
• Valid Driver’s License
• Ability to pass a comprehensive drug screen
• Ability to pass pre-employment testing and successfully complete the training and probation periods
• Ability to document identity and employment eligibility within three (3) days of original appointment as a condition of employment in compliance with Immigration Reform and Control Act requirements

LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• High school diploma or equivalent, Valid Ohio Motor Vehicle Operator’s License, or equivalent, Certification in the use of O.C. Defensive Aerosol or ability to acquire the same within 6 months of appointment

To Apply: Non-Employees must submit an employment application which can be downloaded from the web at: https://allenohioprobate.com/court-administration/human-resources/employment-opportunities

Non-Employee applicants are encouraged to submit an updated resume and post-secondary educational credentials along with their completed application. Non-Employee applicants are required to bring their driver’s license, social security card, high school diploma (or equivalent), and DD-214 (if applicable) to their initial interview.

To Apply: Complete application at https://allenohioprobate.com/court-administration/human-resources/employment-opportunities and turn into

Allen County Probate & Juvenile Court
ATTN: Human Resources
1000 Warhill Avenue
Lima, OH  45805

OR scan, save in pdf format, and email to applications@allencountyohio.com