Detention Officer

Job Description

Detention Officer | Lewis County

The Tone:
This is a regular part-time role at Lewis County, located in Chehalis, WA, within our Juvenile Detention Center. Lewis County provides crucial public services, and this role directly contributes to the safety, security, and care of juveniles in detention. The Detention Officer coordinates and performs a variety of duties, ensuring a safe environment for detainees while monitoring wellbeing, supervising activities, and maintaining essential records.

The TL;DR
• Role: Part Time
• Type: Regular Part-Time (minimum of 160 hours per month), Non-Exempt; Teamsters Represented
• Location: Chehalis, WA
• Pay: $25.79–$34.68 hourly
• Mission: To coordinate and perform detention duties, ensuring the safety, security, and care of juveniles at the Lewis County Juvenile Detention Center.
• Tech Stack: Surveillance equipment

What You’ll Actually Do
• Detainee Custody: Participate in providing for the custody, safety, security, and wellbeing of juveniles detained at the County’s Juvenile Detention Center.
• Security & Monitoring: Conduct routine security/perimeter checks, perform detainee head counts, and monitor security cameras and all movement within the facilities.
• Supervision & Incident Response: Supervise groups of juveniles during daily recreation, meals, and other assigned activities, maintaining orderly conduct and responding to disturbances or emergencies.
• Care & Support: Provide essential care including coordinating meals, facilitating healthcare, supplying clean clothing and hygiene items, and evaluating medical requests for treatment.
• Transportation & Documentation: Transport detainees for medical appointments, mental health screenings, transfers to other facilities, and community service work crews, while preparing and maintaining detention records and reports.

The Must-Haves
• Background & Experience: Possess a High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent, complemented by one year of experience working with youth in an organizational capacity.
• Required Certifications: Hold or obtain within one year a First Aid/CPR Certification, and successfully complete the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission’s Juvenile Correction Officer Academy.
• Key Skills: Demonstrate proficiency in coordinating diverse detention duties, providing safety and security, conducting checks, supervising detainee activities, preparing records, establishing effective working relationships with various stakeholders, utilizing defensive tactics, and communicating effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Prerequisites: Must possess a valid Driver’s License and successfully complete a criminal history background investigation and polygraph test.