Detention Services Officer

Juvenile Center, 2929 Wells Street, Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States of America

Posted Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at 5:00 AM

DETENTION SERVICES OFFICER

This position is eligible for 6% Shift Differential. Due to the nature of the role, we are currently only looking for male candidates.

Classification/Level: POLE - III Date: 7/2022

Under the direction of the Shift Leader, the Detention Services Officer is responsible for maintaining the safety and security of fellow employees, juveniles and juveniles waived to the adult jurisdiction being housed in the secure detention facility of the Allen County Juvenile Center. Detention Services Officers are also responsible for the safety of visitors and external service providers to the facility.

This position is covered under the Superior Court Employee Handbook. This is an employee-at-will position.

• Supervises detained juveniles and residents’ daily activities such as promoting a personal hygiene routine, unit day room leisure time, linen and clothing exchanges, and daily phone privileges.
• Process new juveniles and juveniles waived to adult jurisdictions upon entrance to their assigned general population unit.
• Maintains safety and security by performing searches of detained juveniles' sleeping rooms and common areas. Physical facility counts of all persons detained include watching tours consisting of a visual inspection of any person confined to a room every 15 minutes. All of the above is to ensure a safe and secure environment.
• Physically escorts and supervises all movement within the secure detention facility to the dining room for food service; participate in physical recreation in indoor and outdoor environments; facilitate access to fitness equipment, group activities, medical staff for daily health checks and routine medication, and coordination with counseling and educational services.
• Communicates effectively with facility staff using multiple methods (handheld radios, emails, phones, case management messaging system, typed documents, and work log entries). Completes incident/discipline reports and provides redirection and corrective action as appropriate.
• Provides transportation supervision assistance to the Transportation Officer when transporting juveniles to health-related appointments. Provides backup relief by cross-training for Central Dispatch Coordinator positions.
• Attends staff meetings and educational workshops as required to meet minimum training requirements such as CPR/First Aid/AED, PREA, Handle with Care, and suicide prevention including Columbia Scale.
• Oversees and participates in daily housekeeping assignments with juveniles in the secure detention rooms and common areas.
• Responds to emergencies in all areas of the Allen County Juvenile Center, including conflicts between residents, potential need for physical restraint, escape attempts, or medical issues requiring CPR.
• Maintains physical confidential juvenile files with organization and precision, ensuring proper documentation is filed accordingly.
• Distributes after-school snacks related to the Indiana Department of Education School Food Nutrition program and additional evening snacks.
• Performs all other duties as assigned, including overtime as required.

• High School Diploma or GED with one year experience working in a maximum detention facility preferred
• Supervisory skills needed to supervise juveniles and juveniles waived to adult jurisdictions
• Strong written and verbal skills including technical writing skills needed for report writing
• Ability to use Microsoft Office and other job related computer software programs
• Ability to use handcuffs, shackles, restraint chairs and shields, AED devices and handheld radios
• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Must be able to physically perform the essential functions of the job
• Must maintain confidentiality of all departmental records and information
• Valid Driver’s License to provide transportation for residents and/or to operate county owned vehicles required

DIFFICULTY OF WORK: The Detention Services Officer performs work that requires an understanding of, and ability to make practical…