Juvenile Justice Detention Officer

JUVENILE JUSTICE DETENTION OFFICER I -

Date:
Jul 9, 2026

Requisition No:879098

Working Title:

JUVENILE JUSTICE DETENTION OFFICER I -

Position Number:

At DJJ our focus is to enhance public safety through high‑quality, effective services for youth and families delivered by world‑class professionals dedicated to building a stronger, safer Florida.

As an officer, your primary responsibility is to ensure public safety by providing a safe and secure environment for troubled youth in a structured setting.

At DJJ, we expect youth to be accountable for their criminal actions while striving to sustain a culture that promotes dignity and respect.

Our goal is to treat each youth in our care as an individual by providing the right services, at the right time, to shape youth to become productive citizens in society.

As a detention officer, you are most often the first DJJ employee to interact with juvenile offenders. Therefore, leadership, coaching, mentoring, and a desire to work with youth are essential qualities.

• 104 hours of paid vacation annually
• 96 hours of paid sick leave annually, with unlimited accrual of unused hours
• 9 paid holidays, and 1 personal day each year
• 6 paid credit hours per term at Florida’s colleges and universities
• Eligible for participation in student loan debt forgiveness program – affordable payments and possible balance elimination
• Participation in one of the best group health insurance and dental plans offered by any employer
• One of the most secure pension/investment plans available
• And, so much more

Location:

Manatee Regional Juvenile Detention Center, 1803 5th St. W., Bradenton, FL 34205

Minimum Biweekly Rate of Pay: $1,676.76 Bi-Weekly = $20.96 Hourly (In accordance with current spending restrictions, if the appointment is an internal promotion, the position will be filled at the minimum of the pay grade or up to 5% of the employee’s current rate, whichever higher.)

• Be at least 19 years of age.
• Be a high school graduate or its equivalent as determined by the department.
• Not have been convicted of any felony or a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement, or have received a dishonorable discharge from any of the Armed Forces of the United States.
• Any person, who after September 30, 1999, pleads guilty or nolo contendere to or is found guilty of any felony or a misdemeanor involving perjury or false statement is not eligible for employment, notwithstanding suspension of sentence or withholding of adjudication.
• Notwithstanding this subparagraph, any person who pled nolo contendere to a misdemeanor involving a false statement before October 1, 1999, and who has had such record of that plea sealed or expunged is not ineligible for employment for that reason.
• Abide by all provisions of s. 985.644 (1), regarding fingerprinting and background investigations and other screening requirements for personnel.
• Execute and submit to the Department an affidavit‑of‑application form, adopted by the Department, attesting to compliance with subparagraphs 1-4.

• Knowledge of department policies and procedures and procedures for the care, custody and control of youth.
• Knowledge of facility operating procedures.
• Knowledge of safety procedures and conducting strip searches.
• Knowledge of good hygiene and housekeeping tasks relating to maintaining sanitary conditions of the facility.
• Skills in recognizing signs of potential suicide or depression and changes in youth’s behavior.
• Skills in addressing issues of youth who are experiencing problems.
• Ability to determine appropriate level of use of force.
• Ability to provide constructive feedback to correct behavior and use of conflict management skills.
• Ability to prepare and maintain reports and records relating to the supervision of youth.
• Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide rational numbers.
• Ability to communicate both orally and in writing and to effectively work with youth, co‑workers, supervisors and the public.

DJJ detention facilities operate 24/7/365 and positions require shift schedules. Staff members must be agreeable to working shift schedules, including…