Juvenile Detention Officer

Salary


$74,276.80 - $94,057.60 Annually

Location


Patricia Clark Children and Family Justice Center - 1211 East Alder Ave., Seattle, WA

Job Type

Career Service (Exec)

Job Number

2026JR26892

Department

DAJD-Adult/Juvenile Detention

Division

Juvenile

Opening Date

03/30/2026

FLSA


Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit


Q5 : KCJDG-Juvenile Detent Officers

Full- or Part-Time


Full Time

Hours/Week


40 hours/week

Summary

THIS POSITION IS OPEN FOR CONTINUOUS RECRUITMENT.

About the department: King County offers careers with competitive pay and a comprehensive benefit package. We are looking for candidates who understand that making a difference in the lives of detained youth can change the course of their future. Investing in the lives of these individuals can have lasting impacts on the communities all around us. Juvenile Detention Officers are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe, secure environment for juveniles and ensuring that their care and programming needs are met.


Department's Mission: We provide in-custody and community-based services that are data informed, advance safety, lead system change, and promote equitable outcomes for the people we serve.


About the position: The Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) is looking for prospective Juvenile Detention Officers who have a strong interest in working with our community's youth. If you are selected for this position, you will work in a secure juvenile detention facility with youth typically under the age of 18 years old. Interacting with youth in this setting, you will focus on managing behavior by the least restrictive means, coaching and using conflict-resolution skills to teach and promote pro-social behavior. For more information, please refer to the Detention Officer job class description.

TOTAL COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS PACKAGE :
King County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how much we value our employees. The following is what you can expect as a full-time benefited King County employee.

• Juvenile Detention Officers may be eligible for the following additional pay premiums above the posted base salary: education level premiums for Associate, Bachelor, and Master degrees , b ilingual premium , and shift differential premiums.
• Up to $5,250 in annual tuition reimbursement for degrees in approved fields of study.
• Comprehensive provision of uniforms and equipment.
• 12 days of annual vacation leave with progressive career increases up to a maximum of 30 vacation days per year.
• 12 days of sick leave with unlimited annual carryover.
• 12 paid scheduled holidays, plus 2 personal holidays.
• King County offers medical, dental, and vision coverage options. Eligible employees can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents.
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents.
• Retirement: King County employees participate in a generous pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, and can voluntarily participate in additional 401k deferred compensation options.
• Transportation program, and free ORCA transit pass.
• Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, bereavement leave, volunteer service leave, and military service leave.
• Flexible Spending Account, Wellness Programs, Employee Giving Program Employee Assistance Programs, and Training & Career development programs.

For additional information about employee benefits please visit: Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page

Job Duties

Some o f the important duties in t his position will include:

• Providing safe and secure custody of juveniles, ensuring that they have access to health and mental health services, as well as educational resources and exercise.
  
  

• Maintaining proper living standards to include good health habits, instructing juveniles in housekeeping, sanitation responsibilities, and personal hygiene.
  
  

• Creating an environment which models pro-social behaviors for juveniles and supports them in changing behaviors and patterns to achieve positive goals.
  
  

• Managing behavior and diffusing disruptive behaviors through problem-solving, crisis intervention, and/or counseling.
  
  

Other Regular Job Duties:

• Monitor and document the movement and location of all juveniles at all times, complete reports regarding incidents and violations of Department policies and procedures and operate electronic audio/video surveillance equipment.
• Provide educational and/or recreational structured programming, which includes both overseeing a program performed by volunteers/contractors and directly providing programs and groups aimed at teaching pro-social behavior, games, and other activities.
• Pay special attention to individual considerations, such as mental health, emotional needs, gender identity, cultural or ethnic requirements, etc.
• Use appropriate physical defensive interventions and restraint techniques to subdue and restrain juveniles as necessary and in accordance with local, state and federal law; achieve and maintain proficiency in application and use of defensive interventions and physical agility.
• Ensure that the constitutional and other rights of the youth are upheld through ensuring access to health and mental health services, ensuring educational attendance, gym and library services, serving meals and snacks, and maintaining proper living standards and health habits.
• Conduct inspections of facility, juveniles, visitors and packages delivered to the facility, as well as conduct searches related to safety and security to include but not limited to vehicles, facilities, property and person for contraband, health hazards, and safety and security violations.
• Must be physically able to run, sit, climb stairs, and perform physical defensive tactics.
• Operate a motor vehicle to transport juveniles.

Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills

Required Abilities:

• Willing and available to work at least 40 hours per week. The normal workday is eight (8) hours, including a paid meal break.
• The Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center is operational 24 hours per day, 7 days per week. Must be available to work varied shifts which include days, swing, graveyard, holidays, weekends and overtime as required.
• Must be willing and able to work mandatory overtime as required to meet operational needs.
• Can apply legal and operational practices and procedures required during the supervision of youth offenders.
• Make well-informed decisions based on a mixture of analysis, training, experience and judgment.
• Work equitably with all people, dealing effectively with all races, nationalities, cultures, disabilities, ages, and gender identities.
• Demonstrate truthfulness and maintain high levels of ethics and integrity; follow established policies and procedures.
• Excellent conflict-resolution skills; can assess situations quickly; and find common ground and get cooperation with individuals.
• Maintain composure and perform well under stress when confronted with emergency, critical or dangerous situations; handle multiple activities simultaneously; exercise good judgment under stressful circumstances.
• Have empathy and compassion for others.
• Able to learn and apply Restorative Justice Practices.
• Have an understanding that the trauma people experience in the past can negatively impact their life.
• Practice attentive and active listening; has the patience to hear people out.
• Exercise patience and tolerance with people and processes; try to understand the people and the data before making judgments and acting.

Strategic Responsibilities and Values:

• You should be adaptable, forward-thinking, trauma informed, and compassionate, while maintaining the safety, security, and wellbeing of young people in the care and custody of King County Juvenile Detention. You should support the vision of a safe, connected community where all young people and families are supported and empowered to build on their strengths, so that they can reach their full potential.
  
  

Minimum qualifications:

• Completion of two years of post-high school education in criminal justice, human services, psychology, sociology, education or child and/or adolescent development OR two years experience (paid or volunteer) in the guidance, discipline and supervision of justice system involved and /or at-risk juveniles aged 12-17 years old . Demonstrated/related work experience, if applicable, must be detailed in the job application.
• A valid Washington state driver's license by the date of hire.
• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age by time of hire.
• Must have the ability to read, speak, and write in the English language fluently.
• Must be willing and able to work mandatory overtime as required to meet operational needs.
• Must be available to work varied shifts which include days, swing, graveyard, holidays, weekends and overtime as required. Assignments and schedules are based on the department's staffing needs and subject to bargaining unit bid processes which are seniority-based.

Most competitive (must be detailed in the job application):

• Bachelor's or master's degree in criminal justice, human services, psychology, sociology, education or child and/or adolescent development , or related area of study , or four or more years of work experience (paid or volunteer) in th ese field s .
• Experience working with youth in a correctional or security-oriented environment.
• Lateral Experience : Training requirements and starting salary range will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Supplemental Information

Union Membership:
Positions in this classification are represented by the King County Juvenile Detention Guild - Juvenile Detention Officers.

To Apply:
If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully. If you need this announcement in an alternative language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process, or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement. Completion of a King County employment application including the supplemental questionnaire is required. Resumes or letter of interest alone will not substitute for a full application. You can apply online at: For technical assistance with the online application process, please contact Government Jobs Customer Support toll free at: View phone number on click.appcast.io or Governmentjobs.com

For assistance or questions regarding this position or the selection process, please contact Jasna Rustempasic, Talent Acquisition HR Analyst at View email address on click.appcast.io .


Selection process:
Candidates selected for this position must submit all required forms and materials, and successfully complete each of the following:

• King County application for employment. Once the applications are screened, incumbents will be contacted by DAJD to precede to the next phase.
• Successful incumbents will be contacted by DAJD to proceed to the department's background investigation process. The DAJD background investigation process is a thorough and extensive process which includes, but is not limited to: completion of fingerprints, extensive Background Investigation Questionnaire to include personal reference check, employment references check, and criminal background check.
• Polygraph Examination
• Psychological Testing/Evaluation
• Interview(s)
• Physical Examination (Pre-Employment Physical)

Conditions of continued employment includes but is not limited to:

1. Successful candidates must pass a physical ability test (PAT).
   • The post-hire PAT is administered by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission (WSCJTC) which is required for admission to the Juvenile Corrections Officer Academy.
   • Additional information regarding the WSCJTC PAT requirements can be found at: new-pat-form-v - 5-1-5-21 . pdf (wa .g ov ) and descriptions at - Update To The Physical Ability Test (PAT) (wa.g ov )
   • The physical qualification process will include the following components: Push-Ups: 10 minimum, 90-second time limit; Sit-Ups: 12 minimum, 90-second time limit; Squat Thrusts: 15 minimum, 3-minute time limit.
2. Maintain ability to participate in rigorous physical training at the academy. Must be physically able to work with juvenile detainees in physical situations throughout employment.
3. Must complete the new employee orientation (NEO).
4. Must complete the Field Training Officer (FTO) program.
5. Must complete the Juvenile Corrections Officer Academy.
6. Successful completion of a one-year probationary period.

Employees are required to maintain a satisfactory background, criminal and driving record throughout employment in this role. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment if adverse information is obtained during employment.

If you have failed the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention's background investigation process within the past two years, your application will not be considered at this time, unless otherwise notified.

Forbes recently named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.
Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference? Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.


Guided by our " True North" we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce. To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity. Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards. We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.


King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer:
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.

King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:

• Excellent medical, dental, and vision coverage options: King County provides eligible employees with options, so they can decide what's best for themselves and their eligible dependents
• Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
• Retirement: eligible King County employees may participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
• Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
• 12paid holidays each year plus twopersonal holidays
• Generous vacation and paid sick leave
• Paid parental,family and medical, and volunteer leaves
• Flexible Spending Account
• Wellness programs
• Onsite activity centers
• Employee Giving Program
• Employee assistance programs
• Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
• Training and career development programs

For additional information about employee benefits, visit our Benefits, Payroll, and Retirement Page .

This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails.

NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position.Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.


For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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