DETENTION MANAGER

DETENTION MANAGER

Salary

$26.67 - $30.82 Hourly

Location

Waco, TX, TX

Job Type

Full-Time

Department

JUVENILE SERVICES DETENTION

Opening Date

06/18/2026

Closing Date

9/18/2026 5:00 PM Central

FLSA

Non-Exempt

• Description
• Benefits

Position Summary

The Detention Shift Manager is responsible for the supervision of staff and residents in the departments Pre/Post Facilities and Non-Secure Shelter. This position is also responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the facilities while also ensuring the facilities are in compliance with relevant state standards county/departmental policy and procedure, and all applicable state/federal laws.

Essential Functions

• Responsible for providing a safe and secure environment for residents and staff
• Provide leadership and supervision for all detention staff during an assigned duty shift
• Assists the Detention Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent in providing effective supervision within the facility
• Must be able to respond to crisis and emergency situations in a calm, prudent, responsible and decisive manner
• Responsible for supervising staff and juveniles in accordance with all relevant state standards county/departmental policy and procedure, and all applicable state/federal laws
• Assist in performance reviews and recommend personnel actions.
• Responsible for ensuring all paperwork and reports completed during their shift is accurate
• Responsible for assisting in departmental internal investigations on alleged child abuse, child neglect cases, or other cases mandated by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department, McLennan County, or the Juvenile Probation Department
• Responsible for maintaining and reporting proper inventory and supply levels to the Assistant Superintendent
• Responsible for training new staff on department policies and procedures
• Provides supervision to the workforce by determining work priorities, staff scheduling, compliance to policies and procedures, compliance to quality standards and significant decisions impacting the business unit
• Develop, coach, instruct and counsel employees
• Oversee time keeping administration for fulltime, parttime and temporary employees to minimize tardiness and absenteeism
• Must be able to maintain a professional comportment in interactions with employees and maintain a clear line of authority and boundaries
• Become well versed in the use of the Family Code and Juvenile Justice System
• Direct the intake and orientation process of juvenile offenders into the detention center
• Maintain and report any statistical data that may be required
• Regular attendance and timeliness are required

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER: The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.

Minimum Requirements

EDUCATION:

Required:

• Bachelor's degree preferably in Criminology, Corrections, Counseling, Law, Social Work, Psychology or Sociology

Must be certified juvenile probation officer or eligible for certification by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department

SKILLS ~ EXPERIENCE:

Required:

• Must be twenty-one (21) years of age
• One year of experience in a social service agency (One-year graduate study in criminology, law, social work, psychology or sociology may be substituted for the one-year social service agency experience requirement)
• Some supervisory experience is preferred
• Knowledge of how to respond in crisis situations; crisis response training preferred
• Knowledge of how to conduct and complete investigations; knowledge of applicable child abuse/neglect laws
• Ability to train, coach and instruct employees on best practices; ability to modify style of teaching to fit learning needs of individual employees
• Must be skilled in handling the stress and the pressures of dealing with detained youth in a secure setting
• Must be able to read, write, understand, and enforce departmental policies and procedures
• Must be able to become a certified officer in accordance with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department standards
• Must pass a criminal background screening according to the eligibility requirements set forth in the Texas Administrative Code§344.

DISCLAIMER: McLennan County will conduct background checks on new hires that will include a criminal background check related to convictions and deferred adjudications in the past ten years and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records, and educational attainment. A conviction or deferred adjudication is not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered individually.

Supplemental Information

All Employees

• Must be committed to achieving excellence in assigned duties, always in service of the county and community
• Must have ability to earn and keep the trust of fellow employees and the community at large
• Must be dependable as an encouraging force for team morale and in overall attendance
• Must be approachable and ready to help fellow employees and the general public

Supervisors

• Must be a motivating figure that leads by example and fosters a team environment
• Must be efficient and have the ability to improve upon processes and procedures
• Must be resourceful in completing tasks to minimize waste of County tax dollars

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:

• Work is performed mostly indoors in a 24-hour/7-day confined, security facility
• Frequent contact with the public, parents of clients, and hostile detainees
• May be exposed to blood borne pathogens and other bodily fluids

PHYSICAL DEMAND REQUIREMENTS:

• Standing, walking, and light lifting of supplies
• The individual must be able to physically restrain residents exhibiting disruptive behavior in a safe manner in accordance with the behavior management training
• Ability to pass a pre-employment physical and drug screen
• Random drug testing is conducted on all employees

HOURS / SPECIAL CONDITIONS:

This position works one of the following three shifts:

1st Shift: 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

2nd Shift: 3:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.

3rd Shift: 11:00 p.m.-7:00 a.m.

This position may be required to work a flexible schedule based on the needs of the facility. Must be able to work weekends, holidays, and other shifts assigned by the Assistant Superintendent

McLennan County will conduct background checks on new hires that will include a criminal background check related to convictions and deferred adjudications in the past seven years and may include credit reports, motor vehicle records, employment records, and educational attainment. A conviction or deferred adjudication is not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered individually.

McLennan County offers a full range of employee benefit programs for eligible employees and their families. These programs include group health plans for medical with an option to open a Health Saving Account (HSA) with a County-paid contribution of $2000 over a year. We offer dental and vision coverage, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), life and long & short term disability insurance, flexible spending accounts for health care and dependent care accounts. Employees participate in the Texas County & District Retirement System (TCDRS) with a $2.50 County match for every $1.00 of employee contribution. In addition to these benefits we offer 12 paid holidays and a free gym membership program for health plan participants.

• Note: These benefits are for full time McLennan County employees only. Part time Mclennan County employees are only eligible to participate in the Retirement System. Community Supervision and Corrections Department (CSCD) employees recieve a different benefit package through the state.

Employer McLennan County (TX)

Address 214 N. 4th St., Suite 200

Waco, Texas, 76701

Website https://www.mclennanjobs.com