Detention Officer

at Ada County in Boise, Idaho, United States

Job Description

Detention Officer

Salary

$23.00 Hourly

Location

Juvenile Court Services, 6300 W. Denton St., Boise, ID

Job Type

Full-Time with Benefits

Job Number

03005

Department

Juvenile Services

Opening Date

06/24/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

+ Description

+ Benefits

General Summary

$23.00/hr. + DOE

Please Note: This is a continuous job posting and will remain open until a sufficient number of qualified applications are received. The posting may close at any time without notice. Applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to ensure consideration.

To comply with the Prison Elimination Act Juvenile Facility Standards 115.315. and IDAPA 05.01.02-212, hiring of only male or only female applicants is permissible.

SHIFT INFORMATION:

In accordance with the Prison Elimination Act Juvenile Facility Standards and IDAPA ruling, we are hiring for the following shift:

PLEASE NOTE: THIS VACANCY IS FOR A FEMALE ONLY INCUMBENT – DAY SHIFT: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM.

The Juvenile Detention Center is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. This position requires availability to work weekends, nights and holidays.

+ Excellent medical, dental, and vision insurance

+ Generous vacation and sick leave starting on day one

+ 11 paid holidays annually

+ Participation in one of the nation’s best state retirement systems, with 13.98% employer contribution

+ 457(b) deferred compensation plan with up to 3% county match, plus a 401(k)

+ Paid parental leave, life insurance, and robust wellness programs

+ Ongoing training opportunities and career pathing

Inspiring hope for the future

+ Caring- We care about the work we do, the individuals we serve and the people we work with.

+ Authentic- We value our individual strengths and unique passions, and we play to the strengths of others.

+ Positive- We look for the good and we bring energy and enthusiasm to our work.

+ Present – We choose to be here, and we listen actively and with respect.

REQUIRED : An updated resume and cover letter must be attached with your application.

POSITION GENERAL SUMMARY:

Supervises delinquent youth in a secure facility. Security and safety of residents and staff is a primary consideration. Meeting individual and group needs of residents through counseling, training, education, and a wide variety of programming.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:

The Detention Officer I will be closely supervised by a Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certified staff member.

Essential Functions

+ Supervises the activities of the Juvenile Center’s residents;

+ Maintains safety of the unit and assures that security procedures are followed;

+ Makes regular security checks on rooms and facility and disciplines juveniles for rule infractions;

+ Handles intake and release functions when admitting or releasing juveniles from the facility;

+ Prepares a file on each juvenile admitted to the facility, and maintains a written record of activities;

+ Observes and records behavior including eating habits and resident hygiene, assists in physically controlling disturbed juveniles and responds to emergency situations;

+ Assists youth in cultivating appropriate social, behavioral, and interpersonal skills and attitudes useful in community living adjustments;

+ Provides supportive encouragement and guidance to youth on a personal basis, either in one-to-one or small group situations, and gives instruction, advice and assistance on personal problems;

+ Escorts medical staff to disperse medications to the residents, assists medical staff if necessary;

+ Assists in monitoring the control room, which includes controlling electric doors, monitoring telephones, keeping log books and directing visitors;

+ Responsible for handling emergency situations without immediate backup;

+ Responsible for handling minor medical issues and providing first aid and CPR when necessary;

+ Completes reports such as incident reports, child protection reports, and special reports;

+ Responsible for determining resident program level and assigning residents to program units; and

+ Responds to inquiries within scope of knowledge or transfers inquiries to the shift supervisor.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

+ Takes photographs and fingerprints;

+ Transports residents to hospital and court;

+ Performs related functions as required.

Job Requirements

+ High School diploma or high school equivalency required;

+ Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university in Social Work, Criminal Justice, Psychology or related field, or Associates Degree and equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience is preferred;

+ Knowledge of and experience working with a culturally diverse groups of juveniles;

+ Ability to learn and apply policies and procedures;

+ Ability to interact with law enforcement, community professionals and parents;

+ Ability to operate a computer terminal, audio monitor, control room console and electronic locks;

+ Skill in the operation of a personal computer;

+ Ability to maintain records;

+ Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing;

+ Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships;

+ Ability to perform the duties of this position without a direct threat to the health or safety of the incumbent or others.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

+ Must be at least 21 years of age;

+ Must meet PREA requirements;

+ Incumbents are subject to fingerprinting for the purpose of background investigation;

+ Must be CPR certified;

+ Must adhere to the Code of Ethics for ACJCS;

+ Must qualify for applicable POST requirements. Must become POST certified as a Detention Officer within one year of hire;

+ Must possess a valid driver’s license;

+ This position has been designated safety sensitive and therefore the incumbent is subject to random drug testing.

POST CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

The position requires that the incumbent meet POST Standards for Detention Officers. Upon an offer of employment as a Detention Officer, a medical examination is required, as well as a vision and a hearing examination. All such examinations are at the expense of the applicant. The applicant shall meet the POST medical standards to qualify for employment as a Detention Officer at Ada County Juvenile Services. All medical examinations shall be completed within two (2) weeks of an offer of employment.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

+ Most of the work is performed in and around the County Juvenile Detention Center;

+ The work requires sufficient physical ability, personal mobility, and reflexes to be able to subdue a resident in time of confrontation or to break up a fight between residents;

+ The incumbent must be able to remove an unconscious person from the center in time of emergency, use first-aid when necessary, and search residents’ rooms for contraband and climb stairs;

+ May come into contact with hazardous materials, airborne pathogens, blood, blood borne pathogens, bod