Detention Specialist (Juvenile - Full-time)

If you have a teachable spirit... if you possess a "can-do" attitude... if you're flexible and willing to work all shifts (not just days)... if you get along well with others... if you want to make a difference... consider applying for a career as a Juvenile Detention Specialist for Churchill County.

Churchill County is currently recruiting for an eligible list for current and future openings for the full-time, regular position of Detention Specialist in the Churchill County Juvenile Justice Center. The eligible list will be maintained for 12 months following the application deadline. Inclusion on the eligible list is not a guarantee of employment. (Applications submitted for these openings may also be used to select part-time, casual, on-call staff to fill in shifts as necessary.)

As a full-time, regular position, the person hired would be enrolled in the Nevada PERS retirement system. In addition to the salary paid, the county contributes an additional 33.5% into PERS on the employee's behalf (value of $7.85/hour or $16,328 annually). In addition, the employee will not contribute to Social Security, resulting in an additional 6% in take-home pay (an equivalent of $1.41/hour or $2,924 annually). The county also pays 100% for employee-only health insurance premiums (equivalent to $5.31/hour or $11,050 annually). An employee in this position will also receive full accruals of vacation leave (8 hours per month) and sick leave (10 hours per month), in addition to 8 hours for pay for 12 paid holidays.  

The person in this position provides temporary care, custody, and control of juveniles; monitors the safety and security of juveniles housed in a correctional residential facility; monitors the safety and security of the facility; and performs food preparation and custodial duties. Some aspects of the job include frequent interaction with and oversight over the youth; other duties of the position involve day-to-day operations of the facility (meal preparation, housekeeping, etc.).

This detention facility is a 24-hour, seven-day per week operation, which means employees must be willing to work all shifts (days, swings, graveyard) and on weekends and holidays. If you are not willing and able to work ALL shifts and on weekends and holidays, do not apply for this position. It is common to work overtime on a semi-regular basis. Also, the entire campus (including the outdoor areas) is a tobacco-free campus and employees are not able to leave the campus during their work shift. Employees will not be allowed "smoke or tobacco breaks" for the duration of their work shift, nor may they use tobacco on campus.

This position is considered a department safety-sensitive position which is subject to pre-employment and random drug testing. Anyone selected for this position must be able to successfully pass the pre-employment drug test. Applicants must also pass a thorough background investigation.

If you are interested in this challenging position and want to be part of our team at the Juvenile Justice Center, please submit your application online at www.churchillcounty.org/careers. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled. (Applications for this full-time position may also be considered for part-time, fill-in Detention Specialists. Please indicate whether or not you are interested in a fill-in position if not selected for a full-time position.) Applications for this opening may be considered for future openings that occur in the next 12 months.This job description indicates, in general, the nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions (as covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act) expected of the incumbent.  It is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities required of the incumbent.  Incumbent may be asked to perform other duties as required.

• Demonstrates regular, reliable and punctual attendance.
• Personally and electronically monitors juveniles in residential facilities; patrols buildings and grounds.
• Conducts and records bed checks; reports unusual situations to Senior staff.
• Receives and gives procedural directions to incoming juveniles; prepares space and supplies for juveniles.
• Observes and reports unusual or inappropriate behavior and emergency situations to professional staff; ensures the safety and security of assigned juveniles; provides aid and calls for medical assistance.
• Oversees activities; physical fitness, counseling, phone calls, hygiene, meals, snacks, visits; informs supervisor of unusual events or operational needs.
• Release and prepares youth for transportation; escorts youth to various locations.
• Receives and directs persons entering property or facility for authorized purposes.
• Restrains juveniles, as needed, using approved physical and mechanical restraint methods.
• Completes forms, keeps records, maintains files and writes incident reports relating to the work performed.
• Drives a motor vehicle to transport juveniles to appointments and other facilities.
• Mentor youth by teaching appropriate behaviors and counseling one-on-one as appropriate and within facility guidelines and policies.
• May assist professional staff with direct supervision, intake procedures including strip searches.
• Performs housekeeping, laundry, and custodial duties.
• Represents the County with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation in all relationships with staff and the public.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
 
Education and Experience:
High School diploma/GED; AND one (1) year of experience with at-risk youth; OR an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

Associate's Degree in Psychology, Counseling or a closely related field is desirable (but not required).  

Bilingual ability in Spanish and English is a plus.
 
Must be a minimum of twenty-one (21) years of age at date of employment.
 
Required Knowledge and Skills
Knowledge of:

• Safety and security practices related to a detention facility.
• Proper cleaning methods and the safe usage of cleaning materials, disinfectants, custodial tools and equipment.
• Use and minor maintenance of hand and power tools and equipment used in custodial work.
• Techniques for dealing with juveniles from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, including basic crisis intervention techniques.
• Techniques of detainee control and defensive tasks.
• First Aid and CPR.
• Standard office practices and procedures, including records management.
• Communicating effectively in oral and written forms.
• Techniques for dealing with a variety of individuals from various socio-economic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, in person and over the telephone.

Skill in:

• Safely using hand tools and power equipment related to the work.
• Working under pressure, exercise good judgment and make sound and timely decisions in emergency and non-emergency situations.
• Understanding and following oral and written instructions.
• Monitoring and maintaining the safety and security of juveniles and detention facilities.
• Exercising appropriate restraint of juveniles, physically and mechanically.
• Accurately observing and recording juvenile behavior, including depression, drug and/or alcohol abuse.
• Preparing and maintaining accurate records of work performed and incidents.
• Effectively listening to, communicating with, and eliciting information from upset, emotional and irate individuals.
• Dealing successfully with a variety of individuals from various socioeconomic, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, often where relations may be confrontational or strained.
• Contributing effectively to the accomplishment of team or work unit goals, objectives and activities.

Required Certificates, Licenses and Registrations:

• Nevada driver's license.
• JIREH certification within three (3) months of date of employment.
• First Aid and CPR within three (3) months of date of employment.

The physical demands described herein are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
 
Mobility to work in a typical office setting and use standard office equipment; strength and agility to lift and carry up to 100 pounds and physically restrain detainees; vision to read printed materials and a computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person or over the telephone.                
 
Work is subject to performance in violent, traumatic or highly charged emotional environments. Incumbent is subject to exposure to blood and air borne diseases, verbal abuse, and physical harm.

Conditions of Employment

1. Continued employment is contingent upon all required licenses and certificates being maintained in active status without suspension or revocation.
2. New employees are required to submit to a background investigation and if hired for a safety-sensitive position, a drug/alcohol screen.  Employment is contingent upon passing the background and the drug/alcohol screen (if applicable). 
3. Churchill County participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS, with information from each applicant's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.  All candidates who are offered employment must complete Section 1 of the Form I-9 along with the required proof of their right to work in the United States and proof of their identity prior to starting employment.  Please be prepared to provide required documentation as soon as possible after the job offer is made.

Salary : $2,924 - $48,734