Juvenile Detention Officer

Dallas, TX
Dallas County Sheriff

Salary: $22.19 – $27.72

Closing Date: 04/26/2025.

Position Summary:

Functions as a journey level Juvenile Detention Officer, providing direct supervision to youths in a 24-hour detention facility.

Essential Functions:

1. Provides direct supervision to youths in a 24-hour detention facility to ensure the health, safety and welfare of each youth is in compliance with departmental policies and procedures and all applicable standards.

2. Provides individual and group counseling to all youths to promote and increase personal awareness of responsibilities and alternatives.

3. Makes critical and sound judgements and decisions during crisis or potentially dangerous situations, only in the absence of the supervisor; informs supervisor of problems or situations encountered and actions taken; and documents actions.

4. Disciplines youths by enforcing the rules of the facility, documents behavior and other specific information and forwards to appropriate personnel.

5. Serves as back-up to staff and assumes all duties as necessary, i.e., administering medications, transporting youths to appointments, processing intake assessments or discharges, and disciplining youths. Must be physically able to perform “handling with care techniques, including takedowns, chasing and restraining youth” as outlined in the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) requirement.

6. Conducts inspections, rounds and drills which includes room checks and physical searches of youths.

7. Transports youths to and from appointments.

8. Coordinates and provides daily educational and entertaining program activities.

9. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

  • Graduation from an accredited high school/GED program. One (1) year of work related experience.
  • Ability to effectively communicate both orally and in writing, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, departments and the general public.
  • Must obtain First Aid/CPR Certification within 90 days of hire.
  • Must be certified as required by applicable standards for the facility/department assigned within six months of employment.
  • Must possess a valid Texas driver’s license, with a good driving record.
  • Must pass an extensive background investigation.
  • Mandatory drug testing prior to employment and will be subject to random, unannounced drug and/or alcohol testing during employment.
  • The employee will also be subject to shift changes.