Juvenile Institutions Officer III

salary : $56,888.00 - $69,201.60 annually
location : merced county probation department 1880 wardrobe ave merced, ca
job type: full-time
job number: 2500899
department: probation
opening date: 12/18/2025
closing date: continuous
bargaining unit: 08s - pub svcs - safety

examples of duties

duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• acts as the lead staff member in custodial units and may, on assignment, supervise special projects or programs affiliated with juvenile hall or alternative to custody programs.
• observe, assist, admit and release juveniles in accordance with prescribed procedures.
• orients juveniles to the routines, procedures, and rules of juvenile hall.
• supervises personal hygiene, table habits, care of clothing and living areas.
• teaches work skills and games and assists in planning and supervising recreational and leisure time.
• supervises and participates in housekeeping, maintenance and grounds activities with juveniles.
• observes and supervises juveniles while in custody, operated programs and during family visits.
• provides group and individual guidance as assigned and needed.
• enforces discipline and maintains security; writes incident, adjustments and release reports.
• transports juveniles to/from court, hospitals, and other facilities as necessary.
• works with probation officers, teaching staff, mental health staff and law enforcement personnel.
• use appropriate level of force, when necessary, for the purpose of stopping and/or restraining combative youth.
• serves as a lead worker on an assigned shift in planning and assigning the work of staff.
• assists in the supervision, training and providing input for evaluation of subordinate staff members.
• performs supervisory and/or administrative duties in the absence of the supervising juvenile institutions officer.

minimum qualifications

experience:
two (2) years of full-time paid experience in supervising juveniles in an institutional setting including one (1) year equivalent to juvenile institutions officer ii in merced county.

education:
completion of one (1) year of college. Full-time paid experience in an institutional setting may substitute for the required college units on a year-for-year basis.

license:
possess a valid california driver's license at time of appointment and maintain.

certificates:

• california penal code section 832 requirements regarding arrest, search and seizure.
• possession of board of corrections certificate for juvenile institutions officers core course and evidence of continued compliance with annual training requirements.
• first aid and cpr certificates, which shall be kept current during employment.

training:
training/background which will meet the requirements of california government code section 1029/1031.

must be free from any physical, mental or emotional condition that might adversely affect the exercise of peace officer powers.

essential functions

• operate a personal computer and other modern office equipment.
• communicate effectively with others in person and over the telephone.
• analyze data, interpret directions, procedures and regulations, and develop appropriate responses.
• perform job duties under stressful conditions and respond appropriately to situations.
• maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or county regulations.
• drive van to transport juveniles; inspect/investigate situations; physically restrain juveniles.
• respond quickly and use good judgment in emergencies.
• comprehend and follow written and oral instructions.
• write clear and concise reports.
• when necessary for safety or staff or youth lift/move with/without help objects weighing over 150 pounds.
• kneel, bend, twist, squat, balance and crawl.
• frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.
• frequently lift, carry, reach, push, pull, twist and manipulate large and small objects.
• frequent use of hand-eye coordination; repetitive hand and arm motion.
• normal dexterity, frequent holding and grasping.
• regular attendance is an essential function.

knowledge of:

• provisions of the california penal, welfare and institutions, civil, education, vehicle, health and safety and administrative codes pertaining to the department's functions.
• county and departmental policies and procedures.
• principles and methods of working with delinquent and emotionally disturbed juveniles.
• growth, development, needs and problems of children; individual and group guidance techniques.
• behavior modification and crisis intervention techniques, basic training and supervision techniques
• security precautions associated with juvenile detention.
• personal hygiene, basic first aid and cpr techniques.
• laws and ordinances governing the custody and care of juveniles in a juvenile institution.

ability to:

• provide guidance, support and direction to individual minors and groups of minors as needed.
• exercises good judgment in day-to-day activities and in controlling disturbances.
• effectively enforce and interpret juvenile hall and other program rules, regulations and policies.
• respond quickly and use…