Detention Officer

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Juvenile Court Services, 6300 W. Denton St., Boise, ID
Job Type: Full-Time with Benefits
Job Number: 03084
Department: Juvenile Services
Opening Date: 09/16/2026
Closing Date: Continuous


General Summary
Detention Officer (MALE)

SALARY: $23.60/hr. (Day Shift) and $24.75/hr. (Night Shift)

See Shift Information Listed below.

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.

Ada County is a great place to work! We have over 2300 employees dedicated to enhancing our community's quality of life. Our Juvenile Services team is growing, and this is an excellent opportunity to be a part of taking this team to the next level.

We offer a competitive Total Rewards package that increases your base salary by approximately 40% , including:

• 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

OUR VISION
Inspiring hope for the future OUR VALUES

• 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.

Learn more about Ada County Juvenile Services by visiting their website.
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.
REQUIRED : An updated resume and cover letter must be attached with your application.
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:

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

In accordance with the Prison Elimination Act Juvenile Facility Standards and IDAPA ruling, we are hiring for the following shifts:
IMPORTANT INFORMATION - PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU APPLY FOR THIS POSTION:
The Juvenile Services Department has three (3) vacancies for (Male) Detention Officer. One (1) vacancy is for Day shift: 8 am - 8 pm (Male) and two (2) vacancies for Night shift: 6 pm - 6 am (Male).

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, bodily fluids, and goods or substances that may be deemed harmful;
• The incumbent must see, hear, and communicate with the residents in order to ensure safety and adherence to facility rules and regulations;
• The incumbent must be able to stand and walk for extended periods during shifts; Officers must be able to respond quickly to emergencies, which may involve running or physical intervention;
• This position interacts with residents dealing with sensitive and often challenging situations; incumbent must demonstrate strong emotional resilience and composure to ensure the safety and well-being of residents and employees.

DISCLAIMER:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the primary job responsibilities satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being assigned to this job. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of individuals in the job. This job description is not an employment agreement and/or an expressed or implied employment contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. Ada County provides Veteran's Preference for all County jobs except for those deemed "key positions" in accordance with Title 65, Chapter 5 of Idaho Code.
Visit to view details regarding our benefits package, including: paid leave, healthcare benefits, retirement benefits, and more!

Use our to get a personalized look at what your total compensation could be including estimated salary, retirement contributions, health benefits and paid time off. This tool is designed to help prospective employees better understand the full value of working at Ada County.

Ada County recognizes that employees are our most valuable asset. We are proud to offer a comprehensive benefits package to benefit-eligible employees designed to support the health, wellness and long-term financial stability of our employees and their families.


Healthcare:

• Low-cost medical, dental, vision premiums and deductibles
• Post-employment health savings account

Retirement and Investments Plans:

• PERSI retirement benefits
• 457(b) post or pre-tax investments options with up to 3% employer match
• 401(k)

Wellbeing Program:

• Employee Assistance Program for short-term counseling on work, family, finances, and personal concerns.
• Free ACHD Commuter ride vanpool program
• Free bus pass

Paid-leave:

• 11 paid holidays per year
• 8 weeks paid Parental Leave
• Approximately 96 hours of vacation accrual for full-time employee
• Approximately 96 hours of sick accrual for full-time employee
• 5 days paid bereavement leave

Life & Short-Term Disability Insurance

• Basic Life Insurance employer paid if benefit eligible
• Short Term Disability employer paid if benefit eligible

Optional Benefits:

• Pre-tax Flexible Spending Account and Dependent Care Account
• NCPERS Decreasing Term Life Insurance
• Supplemental Employee, Spouse, Child Life Insurance
• Supplemental Long-Term Disability Insurance
• AFLAC