Job Title: Detention Officer - Security
Division/Department: Court Operations/Detention Services Salary: $55,120.00
Reports To: Unit Manager Date Posted: 6/5/26
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Last Revised: 3/17/26
Benefits of Employment
Insurance: Comprehensive Health, Dental, Vision, Life and an Employee Assistance Program. Supplemental Life may be purchased at group rates.
Paid Time Off: Twelve (12) holidays, vacation time (after 6 months) of three (3) weeks per year for the first eight (8) years of service, and sick time.
Retirement: Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) with 14% annual employer contribution and Deferred Compensation Plans.
Job Summary
A Security Detention Officer is responsible for maintaining the safety, security, and orderly operation of a juvenile detention facility. The position requires monitoring resident behavior and utilizing crisis intervention and verbal de-escalation techniques to manage disruptive or destructive situations, with the use of approved physical intervention methods when necessary to ensure the safety of residents and staff. The officer operates detention management systems related to the admission and release of juveniles, controls and documents resident movement, and conducts professional visitation in accordance with established policies and procedures. The position requires the ability to cover various assigned posts including Master Control, Visitation, Medical, Intake, Property, Expediting, Transport, Diagnostic Clinic, and Key Control.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty listed below. Reasonable accommodations will be made for disabled persons covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, in accordance with its requirements.
Ensures the best possible care, welfare, and security of Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division’s Detention Center (JCDC) residents utilizing behavior management techniques and established policies and procedures.
Assists in the planning of free time activities including exercising, games, sports, arts, crafts and special events.
Monitors, supervises, plans, organizes, and directs the behavior and activities of residents in a manner that ensures residents’ safety and staff safety.
Interacts and supervises residents through participation in activities, individual discussions, and modeling behavior.
Ensures compliance with all JCDC policies/procedures in order to promote a safe, secure, and humane environment for residents and staff.
Reports any problems or incidents in an appropriate and timely manner to management. Makes timely medical, psychological or behavioral referrals to qualified staff. Directs residents’ regarding JCDC policies, procedures, health, hygiene, housekeeping, and related information.
Maintains a safe and secure environment for both the residents and staff by diffusing disruptive/destructive behaviors through crisis intervention and verbal counseling whenever possible but when necessary uses physical intervention techniques to gain control of the situation.
Maintains personal skills and proficiency in application the use of defensive tactics through ongoing physical fitness training and academic training. Must physically perform under stress when confronted with an emergency, critical, and/or dangerous situation.
Performs duties such as searches of residents, resident’s personal effects, staff, and visitors in accordance with JCDC policies, and procedures. Inspects and reports units for contraband, hazards and security problems.
Completes logs and prepare written and electronic reports as required. Completes accurate reports and submits them by the end of the shift following the use of physical force and/or mechanical restraints. Demonstrates coherent and effective
written communication through reports and memorandums, with both internal and external contacts.
Audits, issues, and maintains accountability for keys and radios.
Transports and supervises residents throughout the facility and to approved external locations using County vehicles.
Provides input to management or social services relative to residents' needs or concerns and identifies activities which may positively impact residents.
Operates security and communication equipment including, but not limited to portable radios, metal detectors, and mechanical restraints.
Ensures compliance with federal, state, local and JCDC policies and procedures and court orders.
Performs other job duties as assigned.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Has no direct supervisory responsibility for staff members.
Equipment Operated
Detention security equipment such as computers, cameras, telephones, and radios.
Confidential Data
All court-related information regarding hearings, etc. that the employee may come in contact with by working in the facility.
Working Conditions
While performing duties of this job, the employee frequently walks and stands. With assistance, the employee must be able to physically restrain, chase, and contain juveniles for their protection, protection of others, and/or self-protection. The employee must have the capacity to work in closed environment and work with criminal offenders, some of whom may be dangerous. While supervising offenders, they may interact with others, such as family members and friends of the offender, who may be upset or difficult to work with. Workers may be assigned to work in areas of the institution where there is a risk of violence or communicable disease. Occasionally handles emergency or crisis situations; frequently subject to interruptions, and multiple calls and inquiries.
Usual Physical Demands
Must pass a physical fitness/agility test and be able to demonstrate the following:
1. Ability to push and pull objects, pick up objects, and bend repeatedly to move desks, beds, and other furniture to conduct security checks and search residents.
2. Ability to step up on elevated surfaces, such as beds or stools, to conduct room searches.
3. Ability to reach, bend, and stoop to perform security checks, and other tasks.
4. Ability to walk extended periods throughout the facility.
5. Ability to stand for extended periods.
6. Ability to physically restrain residents under adverse conditions, including ability to manage weights of 75lbs to 200lbs when restraining adolescents.
7. Ability to respond to emergency situations according to JCDC policies, procedures and protocols.
8. Ability to correctly handcuff and safely remove handcuffs from residents as needed.
9. Ability to effectively communicate (hear and respond) 10 codes through the intercom/radio transmission monitoring system.
10. Ability to lift and carry containers of items weighing up to 45 lbs.
11. Must be able to work overtime based on departmental needs.
12. Must demonstrate competency in implementing physical force techniques and satisfactorily complete all of the requirements in training of physical force; including passing the annual physical fitness test.
New employees are required to pass Defensive Tactics Training by the end of the introductory period.
No lifting restrictions or light duty are permitted in this position.
Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Must possess good judgment, tact, and diplomacy; must have the ability to manage behavior; ability to give and take direction effectively; knowledge of juvenile treatment practices and the ability to handle crisis situations; knowledge of juvenile laws and best practices pertaining to treatment and confinement of juvenile residents; with assistance, must be able to physically restrain, chase, and contain juveniles for their protection, protection of others, and/or self-protection; capacity to work in closed environment; demonstrated oral and written communication skills in order to maintain clear and accurate reports, documentation, and case files; must maintain strict confidentiality of Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division records and information regarding residents; ability to handle stressful situations, monitor cameras and utilize other electronic equipment such as a computer as required; willing to work in hazardous conditions that occur on a periodic or intermittent basis resulting in a potential risk of physical injury due to working in the environmentally controlled Detention Center, tense and hostile atmosphere, and mental demands; must be able to deal with adolescents in all kinds of physical, mental, and emotional conditions including contagious diseases, loss of bodily functions, rude, vulgar and obscene language, gestures or behavior; must have good judgment in diffusing stressful situations and working with residents with mental health issues. Must possess knowledge of group dynamics and the ability to establish trust and cooperation with juveniles while maintaining an appropriate level of professionalism, assertiveness, and leadership. Proven record of being reliable, prompt, and a strong work ethic.
Education and/or Experience
Required: High School Diploma and Minimum age of 21
Preferred: Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Corrections, or other Social Science degree. Relevant work experience in a residential or secured facility, or experience within a military/paramilitary organization.
Licensure or Certification Requirements
New employees hired and current employees transferred in to this position effective 1/1/21 or later must possess a valid driver's license and continuously maintain automobile insurance in compliance with state law, with a driving record acceptable to the Court's current policies.
Any position which requires operating a motor vehicle as an essential duty of responsibility of the position will be subject to a driving record check through the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. Applicants are required to provide their driver license number upon request. Applicants who possess a driver’s license from a state other an Ohio, or those applicants who have possessed an out-of-state driver’s license at any time during the five years prior to review, must provide a certified copy of his or her out-of-state driving history for at least the five years prior to the review of the applicant’s driving qualifications.
Court Expectations of Employee
In accomplishing the responsibilities of this position, the Court expects that the employee will adhere to the mission and values of the Court as well as all Court policies and procedures. In addition, while carrying out the duties of this position, the employee is expected to model high ethical conduct on and off the job, and exhibit a professional and respectful demeanor with all Court employees.
Court Mission Statement
To administer justice, rehabilitate juveniles, support and strengthen families, and promote public safety.
Application Procedure
Current Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division Employees:
- The deadline to apply is _6/12/26__.
- Please visit https://juvenilecourt.applicantstack.com/x/openings-internal to complete and submit the Job Posting Response Form to the Human Resources Division.
- The Job Posting Response form must be received in Human Resources by the job posting deadline for consideration as a candidate for the posted position.
External Applicants:
- This position will remain posted until filled.
- Please visit https://juvenilecourt.applicantstack.com/x/openings to view this posting and to complete and submit the Application for Employment.
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