ST. JOSEPH PROBATE COURT POSITION DESCRIPTION POSITION: DEPARTMENT: WORK SCHEDULE: JOB CATEGORY: Recreation Officer Probate Court-Juvenile Justice Center As assigned POLE (Protective Occupations, Law Enforcement) DATE WRITTEN: January 2008 STATUS: Full-time DATE REVISED: May 2018 FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. St. Joseph Probate Court provides reasonable accommodation to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship. Incumbent serves as Detention Recreation Officer for the Juvenile Justice Center, responsible for providing a program of recreational activity for residents in a secure and safe environment at the St. Joseph Probate Court/Thomas N. Frederick Juvenile Justice Center. Provides for the recreational needs of all residents. QUALIFICATIONS: EDUCATION: Baccalaureate degree in Recreational Therapy or Physical Education required. EXPERIENCE: Minimum of one year experience dealing with adolescents and/or criminal Justice in a recreational capacity preferred. Must be a minimum of 21 years of age. SKILLS: The ability to relate to professional staff, detained youth, and their families without bias or partiality. Competency to provide security for the community, staff and Detainees through applied mental and physical skills. Capacity to use good judgment, problem solve, anticipate, prevent, intervene, and solve crisis situations appropriately. Ability to make rational, independent decisions regarding detention operations. Ability to see what needs to be done, with skills to make sure the job is completed correctly. Must be mature and able to accept responsibility with minimal or no supervision. Good written and verbal communication skills are a must. Ability to lead aerobic type exercises. Develop a recreational program that will build self-esteem, good sportsmanship, teamwork and leadership. Ability to coach teens of both sexes, and teach game fundamentals in a variety of sporting events, as well as proper use of equipment and appropriate forms of exercise for adolescents. Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written or oral instruction and present findings in oral or written form. DIRECT REPORT:
Detention Recreational Officers report directly to their shift Supervisor. However, final determinations concerning programming are made by the Director or Assistant Director of Detention. DUTIES: Provides a program of recreational activity for residents in a secure and safe environment at the St. Joseph Probate Court/Thomas N. Frederick Juvenile Justice Center. Provides for the recreational needs of all residents. Possesses the ability to perform any tasks necessary and requested for the overall operation of the agency, including, but not limited to: ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: 1. The Detention Recreational Officer is primarily responsible for the physical fitness programming for all Detainees and staff. 2. Correctly completes all incident and injury report paperwork on Detainees in a timely manner. 3. Gather all related information regarding incidents and report same to the Shift Supervisor. 4. Reviews activities during assigned shift and ensures that procedures and operations are conducted properly and according to safety regulations, policy and procedure. 5. Supervises Detainees during recreation periods enforcing game rules and safety, providing consequences for violations or misconduct. 8. Conduct telephone complaints/questions from parents in a professional manner. 9. Perform Detention Officer responsibilities as needed. (Please review Detention Officer duties and responsibilities). 10. Supervise and/or record inventory of recreational supplies, communicating needs and losses in a timely manner. 11. Collate statistical data on programs offered, Detainee participation and any injuries sustained during recreation. 12. Perform other duties related to the operations of Detention as assigned by the Shift Supervisor, Director/Assistant Director of Detention or The Executive Director. 13. Assist Shift Supervisor in training of new and existing staff in proper use of sports equipment and techniques. 14. Assist Director/ Assistant Director of Detention and Shift Supervisor with annual reports and inspection requirements. 15. Attend staff meetings. 16. Assist Administrative staff in development of policies and procedures for use and participation in recreational equipment and activities.. 17. Enforce policies and procedures and report staff and detainee performance/behavior violations to Shift Supervisor. 18. Operate and maintain recreational equipment as required. Report any malfunctions and facilitate repairs when appropriate.
19. Maintain a daily inventory of equipment, reporting any loss or damage to shift supervisor immediately. 20. Consistently model values of Respect, Responsibility, Tolerance, and Acceptance. 21. Maintain a clean, safe, and secure work environment. 22. Female staff may supervise male and female detainees. Male staff may only supervise male detainees. Staff are not allowed to enter the cell of an opposite sex unless a staff member of the opposite sex is present. Male staff may only enter the female pod or cell in case of an emergency, even then female staff must be present. 23. Possesses the ability to perform any tasks necessary and requested for the overall operation of the agency SECURITY: 1. Checks all security doors regularly. 2. Works with Detention and Control Officers in supervising detainees during recreation or when otherwise required. 3. Searches all rooms in recreational areas for contraband and reports same to Shift Supervisor. 4. Routinely verifies equipment in use and head counts of juveniles during recreation. 5. Utilizes universal precautions in handling any injury involving blood or body fluids. SUPERVISION: 1. Provides immediate crisis intervention for distraught, suicidal or violent residents and summons appropriate help from Social Services and Detention staff. 2. Disciplines residents consistently and fairly. 3. Observes assigned residents at all times. 4. Supervises daily program with Detainees and monitors resident activities and progress. 5. Responsible for Detention staffs performance while in gym; ensures proper positioning, demonstrates sportsmanship, and fairness. RESPONSIBILITY: Considerable judgment must be exercised on an independent basis in regard to the safety and security of all residents and staff. Policies and procedures are written, but every situation is not, and can not be covered. Supervisory assistance is available. Errors in judgment may result in safety or security problems such as: fights, escapes, suicides, and injury to staff or residents. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS: Receives phone calls from parents of juveniles, Probation Officers, and other staff. Responsible for answering questions, taking messages, and relaying accurate information in a courteous and professional manner. Interacts with juveniles in detention, teachers, other Detention Officers, Probation Officers, Administrative and Court staff. Must maintain professional relationships with residents and staff while on duty. Detention Recreational Officers are expected to be
positive role models at work and in the community and demonstrate Respect, Responsibility, Tolerance, and Acceptance. IV. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT: This is a locked, secure, jail-like environment housing juveniles who are charged with delinquent acts many of which are violent such as battery, robbery and murder. The safety of this community, as well as our staff and residents depends upon Detention Recreation Officers who have the ability to act quickly, responsibly, and fairly, with compassion, consistency, and control. Work is performed on carpeted and gym floors. There is a considerable amount of walking in the center and running in the gym. Detention Recreation Officers must possess the ability to actively supervise Detainees. Inability to do so would greatly increase the possibility of injury to Detainees and/or staff. Physical confrontations with residents and participation in exercises and games require physical fitness, endurance, a moderate amount of strength and mental awareness. Officers must be physically able to subdue a resident who is fighting or out of control. This may include physical restraint, handcuffing, use of pepper spray, and transporting the juvenile to a more restrictive environment when necessary. Detention Recreation Officers must have the ability to manage and control juveniles who are verbally and physically abusive without losing control of emotions, perform duties professionally, maintain self control, and treat all residents with respect, without partiality. The duties described above are indicative of the knowledge, skills, and abilities and normal task assignments of this job, and do not constitute an exhaustive list of all tasks which may be required. Additional duties requiring similar or lesser skills may be added at any time without the necessity of altering the description or re-evaluating the job. Approved by Executive Director Cynthia Nelson Date APPLICANT/EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGMENT The job description for the position of Detention Recreation Officer for the St. Joseph County Juvenile Justice Center describes the duties and responsibilities for employment in this position. I acknowledge that I have received this job description, and understand that it is not a contract of employment. I am responsible for reading this job description and complying with all job duties, requirements and responsibilities contained herein, and any subsequent revisions. Is there anything that would keep you from meeting the job duties and requirements as outlined?
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