Juvenile Detention / Alternative Placement Adolescent Center (APAC) Worker
Safety Sensitive Position: This position is designated as safety/security sensitive and is subject to pre- employment, reasonable suspicion and random drug and alcohol screening
Work Schedule:
Incumbent will work a scheduled shift and be on an “On Call” rotation list to accommodate staff sick calls and facility emergencies.
Summary: The Juvenile Detention Worker is responsible for the daily operation of the detention center. Juvenile Detention Workers Provide a safe, secure, and caring environment for up to 30 juveniles ages 10 - 20. They will work a scheduled shift and be on an “On Call” rotated list to accommodate staff sick calls and facility emergencies.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities for Juvenile Detention Worker include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Intake - Obtain paperwork, from the arresting agency or detaining court, to document the legality of the detention. Collect and inventory all personal property, log the inventory into the computer, and place personal property in property room. Complete a thorough search of the resident and have him/her complete a shower. Dress out the resident in detention clothing. Issue the resident personal hygiene supplies and linens. Explain the rules of the center and have the resident sign the rule sheet indicating that they understand the rules. Explain the various procedures of the center such as special requests, grievances, visitation, telephone calls, school, and the daily schedule. Explain the rights of the detainees.
Booking - Enter data into the computer using the detention center’s intake program. This information includes the detainees’ personal information and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of the juveniles’ parents. It also contains information on charges, court dates, name of juvenile’s attorney, and name of juvenile’s DHS caseworker, bond, special conditions for release, and the names of court staff involved with the juvenile. Notify the juvenile’s parents of detention and make arrangements for them to visit the juvenile. Make arrangements for parents to sign consent for medical care form and the consent to counseling form. Complete an intake medical questionnaire. Notify the nurse of any medical issues or medications.
Staff Station and Security Control Panel - All staff must be able to use the equipment in the Staff Station. This equipment includes the following: A computer for writing reports and documenting information about the residents; the watch tour system for documenting room checks; handheld two-way radios; the staff log book (notebook with information about releases, restriction, staff schedule, changes, staff arriving and departing, transports, equipment that needs repair or has been repaired, visitation, and resident privileges); resident files; multi-line telephone; voicemail system; inmate telephone and smoke/fire detection control panel. All staff must be able to use the Security Control Software that controls video cameras, two-way audio devices, intercoms, and security doors.
Supervision of Residents - Staff use a combination of video surveillance and direct supervision to constantly monitor every juvenile. Direct supervision means that the staff is in the classroom, residential and activity areas with the juveniles. This type of interaction allows staff to build relationships, assess behavior, set limits, provide consequences, and assist residents who have special needs. The only time when staff does not visually monitor residents is when they are in their sleeping rooms, in the shower, or using their toilets. Staff is required by Arkansas’ Juvenile Detention Standards, to physically observe residents who are in their sleeping rooms at least once every fifteen minutes. If a resident is suicidal or agitated then they are required to observe that juvenile every five minutes. Residents in the segregation area are continuously observed via camera and listening devices in addition to the 15/five-minute checks. Staff makes sure residents are following the daily schedule. Staff supervise sick call, religious activities, school activities, visitation (both contact and non-contact visits), meetings between resident’s caseworkers, court staff, and attorneys, free time, outdoor recreation, volunteer activities and facility clean-up. Staff answers the telephone and provide information to court staff, caseworkers, attorneys, and parents. Staff completes various logs and resident observations. Staff provides oncoming staff with a complete pass down of any incidents that occurred on their shift, restrictions or consequences imposed on residents, tasks that require completion, appointments that need to be met, resident separations that need to be continued and any unusual or unexpected issues that may occur. Staff makes referrals to the center’s mental health staff if they feel that a resident is in danger of harming themselves or others, is overly aggressive, or appears withdrawn from peers or staff. Staff makes referrals to the center’s nurse if they believe the resident is ill or injured. Staff will physically restrain residents (using methods learned in training) who are out of control, trying to hurt others, trying to hurt themselves, damaging property, or trying to escape.
Transportation of residents - Staff are responsible for transporting and supervising residents when a resident is outside the secure area of the center. Hard restraints (handcuffs, wrist chains, belly chains, and leg irons) are used during transports. Residents are transported for medical, dental, counseling appointments, court appearances, and to attend funerals. Staff pick-up or deliver juveniles to both treatment and placement facilities. Staff makes frequent telephone calls to arrange and confirm appointments. Staff ensures proper shift coverage when transports are scheduled.
Maintenance of Residents and Facility - Staff collect and exchange linens and uniforms on scheduled days. Staff wash, dry, fold, and store laundry. They prepare and deliver three meals and one snack each day. They are responsible for cleaning control, the pods and dead spaces, hallways, the kitchen area, laundry room, visitation, intake area, staff toilets, resident shower areas, and all other areas of the facility. Staff remove all trash from the facility, clean organize, separate and set out all recyclables. Staff will notify the Staff Assistant of items that need to be replenished. They accept deliveries of food and supplies, reconcile the deliveries against invoices, and rotate food into the appropriate locations. They report damaged equipment or property to administration. They escort and assist technicians and maintenance personnel when they are in the facility. Staff search all areas of the residential, recreational, and program areas of the facility for contraband and damaged equipment or property during each shift.
Qualifications/Requirements
To perform the 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. Must be 21 years of age and have a current and valid driver’s license. Must have and provide proof of current automobile insurance.
Background, Skills, and Abilities
Applicants selected for hire will have to successfully complete a drug screen, a physical exam, criminal background check, Child Abuse Registry check, and a psychological evaluation. They should have good assessment and decision-making skills, as well as, strong communication skills. They should have knowledge of modern office practices, procedures, and equipment. They must possess the ability to establish good rapport with individuals often under difficult circumstances. They must be able to analyze problems and determine the best method of resolution. They should be self confident and have the ability to work in a very stressful environment. They should possess some skills in Microsoft Word and Excel. They must be a team player.
Education and/or Experience
The minimum acceptable level of education is a high school diploma or GED.
Two or more years of college are desirable.
Additionally, one or more years working with adolescents in shelter care, at a teen center, as a volunteer, or raising/raised children of their own is desirable.
Training
Before a new staff is allowed to function as a juvenile detention worker they must complete two weeks of orientation about the operation of the center. The orientation includes: A review of policy and procedure; work expectations with regard to the various shifts; the intake release process; report writing; transport of residents; use of soft and hard restraints; food service; emergency procedures; facility maintenance; and equipment operation.
Within six months of hire, new employees will have completed 120 hours of training. They will complete an additional 40 hours of training each year thereafter.
Physical Demands
While performing the physical duties of this job the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, handle or feel objects. The employee must occasionally lift (50-100 pounds) walk, stand, sit, climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl with hands or knees. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust or focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of the job the employee will occasionally encounter violent residents that must be physically restrained. The employee will have to defend themselves from attack on occasion. The employee will occasionally be in contact with persons who may have communicable diseases such as HIV, TB, Hepatitis c and B, as well as others. The employee may be subjected to verbal abuse, threats, or harassment from residents.
The noise level will range from moderate to high.
Employee Benefits Overview
Benefits are an important part of the overall compensation package. We are pleased to offer a comprehensive array of valuable benefits.
County Paid Insurance Benefits
Employee Medical
Basic life and ADD Insurance
Long‑term disability insurance
Access to voluntary benefits, including:
Medical (Spouse/Children)
Dental, and Vision coverage
Supplemental life insurance
Short‑term disability
Critical Illness coverage
Accident insurance
Hospital indemnity plans
View the Benefits Guide for more information
Retirement & Financial Security
Participation in the Arkansas Public Employees Retirement System (APERS) pension program
Voluntary Nationwide Deferred Compensation 457(b) Retirement plan
Time Off & Work–Life Balance
11 Paid Holidays annually
Paid Sick Leave (up to 12 working days per year)
Paid Vacation Leave (up to 10 working days per year)
Paid Personal Day annually
County government for Benton County, the most populous county in Arkansas.