Category Law Enforcement Description JOB OBJECTIVES: Employee is responsible for managing, directing, and controlling the behavior of residents in compliance with work rules and guidelines. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Ensures compliance with all Portage County Juvenile Detention Center (PCJDC) policies/procedures in order to promote a safe, secure, and humane environment for residents and staff. Ensures the best possible care, welfare, and security of PCJDC residents utilizing behavior management techniques that promote prosocial behavior and discourage violation of facility rules. Monitors, supervises, plans, organizes, and directs the behavior and activities of residents in a manner that ensures the safety of residents, staff, volunteers, and visitors. Maintains a safe and secure environment for both the residents and staff by diffusing disruptive/destructive behaviors through crisis intervention and verbal counseling whenever possible but, when necessary, uses physical intervention techniques to maintain safety and regain control of the situation. Demonstrates coherent and effective oral and written communication skills. Completes concise, accurate, and timely written and/or electronic logs and reports as required. Performs other job duties as assigned. NON-ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: Perform related essential and non-essential functions as needed JOB REQUIREMENTS: Equipment: Employees use the following equipment: security controls, close-circuit cameras, intercoms, two-way radios, computers, telephones, fax machines, washing machine, dryer, dishwasher, vacuum, automobiles. Critical Skills/Expertise: Must be prompt, reliable, and professional. Must possess good judgment, tact, and diplomacy. Must have the ability to give and take direction effectively. Must possess the ability to handle stressful / crisis situations. Must be willing to work in a closed correctional environment which may at times present hazards such as potential risk of injury or exposure to illness. RESPONSIBILITY: Supervisors provide general direction in following established practices and clear-cut policies. Employee makes decisions independently regarding day-to-day activities, following policy and procedures. Detention Officers are responsible for the care and custody of the residents to whom they have been assigned. Detention Officers have no direct supervisory responsibility for fellow staff members. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS: Employee has contact with administrators, supervisors, co-workers, and the residents of the Detention Center. The purpose of these contacts is to oversee all activities of the residents and maintain control. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: Physical Requirements: Employee's work is identified as light work, requiring the lifting of up to twenty-five (25) pounds occasionally. Must be able to physically intervene in situations involving disruptive and/or physically aggressive juvenile residents. Physical Activity: Employee performs the following activities: balancing, stooping, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, talking, hearing, and repetitive motions. Visual Activity: Employee performs work where the seeing job ranges from close to the eyes to beyond arm's reach. Job Location: Employee works both inside and outside with no exposure to adverse environmental conditions. Position Requirements Required: High School Diploma. Must have a valid Ohio driver's license and be able to meet the County's driver eligibility standards. Preferred: Bachelor's degree in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Education, or related field of study. Work experience in secure institution or residential setting with adolescents. Work involves moderately complex, relatively standardized tasks, processes, and operations following established laws and procedures. Full-Time/Part-Time Full-Time Shift -not applicable- Union or Non-Union Non-Union Classified or Unclassified Working hours Salary $22.00 /hour Position Juvenile Detention Officer Close Date Post Internal Days 0 Number of Openings 1 Exempt/Non-Exempt Non-Exempt Req Number LAW-25-00008 Open Date 10/1/2025 Location JDC Portage County Juvenile Detention Center EOE Statement Portage County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation with the application and/or interview process, please notify the person from whom you obtained this application. All applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, medical condition or disability, veteran/reserve/national guard status, genetic information or any other legally protected status. This position is currently accepting applications.
