Juvenile Security Officer


BASIC PURPOSE:

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities related to the security and control of juvenile offenders in a state-operated secure facility within the juvenile justice system.

TYPICAL FUNCTIONS:

The functions within this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:
•    Provides security and supervision to adjudicated juvenile offenders in a variety of situations and activities.
•    Maintains security in an assigned area or post.
•    Patrols facility grounds, juvenile living quarters and work areas on an assigned shift while observing the activities and movements of juveniles.
•    Maintains order and discipline during programs, meals and recreation periods by utilizing empathic verbal communication skills.
•    Inspects the facility’s living areas and work locations for unauthorized objects, materials and contraband.
•    Completes written and/or typed reports on a variety of incidents and juveniles’ behaviors.
•    Conducts counts of juveniles and enforces institutional rules and regulations.
•    Checks authorized persons in or out of buildings and grounds area while assuring unauthorized persons are denied access.
•    Checks the physical security of the facility, including doors, windows and lighting.
•    Quickly responds to physical assaults, riots and other emergency situations.
•    Observes juvenile and staff activities on multiple surveillance monitor screens.
•    Sends and receives verbal transmissions over a hand-held radio.
•    Maintains a written log of daily facility activities.
•    Communicates by telephone with emergency responder agencies in crisis situations.
•    Transports children in institution vehicles as needed for court appearances and from OJA site to OJA site.
 
LEVEL DESCRIPTORS:

The Juvenile Security Officer job family has four levels, which are distinguished by the complexity of work performed, the expertise required to perform the assigned duties and the responsibility for providing leadership to others.

Level I                Code:    J40A            Salary Band:    E

This is the entry level of the job family where employees are responsible for performing basic and routine duties and receive formal and on-the-job training relating to the safety and security of the juvenile residents and staff in a treatment environment.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities required at this level include the knowledge of security methods.  Ability is required to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to follow written and oral instructions; to gather facts and effectively communicate the facts in reports; to positively interact with juveniles of various racial, ethnic and cultural backgrounds; to remain alert and act quickly and appropriately in emergency situations; and to appropriately handle violent or unruly juvenile residents.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of the statutory requirements of      Title 337 OAC, Section 3-13-43 (C) (1): All direct-care staff shall be at least 21 years of age and possess a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Level  II            Code:    J40B            Salary Band:    F

This is the career level of the job family where employees are assigned a wide range of duties and responsibilities at the full performance level.  Employees work independently enforcing appropriate rules and regulations to safeguard lives and property within an area.  Responsibilities may be assigned to employees for training and assisting others in the performance of these duties.  In addition to security work, employees are required to furnish positive guidance, as well as sanctions for inappropriate behavior on the part of juvenile residents.
 
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those at Level I plus the knowledge of behavioral problems typically found in delinquent juveniles; and of state statutes and agency policies governing the care of juveniles in secure facilities.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level I plus six months of experience in security work for a governmental agency or direct care of juveniles in a secure residential care and treatment facility.

Level III            Code:    J40C            Salary Band:    G

This is the specialist level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities involving an advanced level of work.  This may include the supervision of an assigned shift during the absence of the supervisor, making work assignments, and conducting various investigations or other security related activities.
 
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at his level include those at Level II plus the ability to conduct investigations and investigative interviews.  

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level II plus one year of experience in security work for a governmental agency or direct care of juveniles in a secure residential care and treatment facility.

Level  IV            Code:    J40D            Salary Band:    H

At this level employees assume responsibilities for the supervision of multiple juvenile security officers who are assigned to various units or shifts.  These responsibilities include scheduling employees for duty, making visits to assigned posts to review operations, developing and conducting training and otherwise planning and controlling the operations of an assigned unit and/or shift.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those at Level III plus knowledge of effective supervisory principles and practices. Ability is required to supervise the work of others.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level III plus two years of experience in security work for a governmental agency or direct care of juveniles in a secure residential care and treatment facility.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
•    Applicants must possess a valid Oklahoma Driver License at the time of employment and maintain a valid license while employed in this job family.                
•    Applicants must be willing and able to work overtime and to work on any designated shift that may span the late evening hours or the early morning hours commonly known as the night shift.
•    Applicants must be able to stand and walk unaided for two or more hours at a time.
•    Applicants must have the ability to physically restrain juveniles using approved unarmed restraint techniques.
•    Applicants must be able to lift 50 pounds from the floor to waist level.
•    Applicants must be able to travel 100 yards on foot in less than one (1) minute.
•    Applicants must be able to successfully complete all training requirements for sole supervision of juveniles including, but not limited to, first aid certification, CPR and unarmed restraint training.
•    Applicants must be able to operate a hand-held radio and speak clearly enough to be understood by others monitoring the radio.
•    Applicants must maintain physical fitness levels that enable them to perform the above special requirements throughout their employment in this job family.