Juvenile Detention Officer I, II or III

Juvenile Detention Officer I, II or III

Salary

$50,398.40 - $57,928.00 Annually

Location

2515 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX

Job Type

Full Time

Job Number

26-10684

Department

Juvenile Probation

Opening Date

05/08/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Job Summary

JOB SUMMARY:

Do you have a criminal justice background or interest? Do you enjoy working with youth populations? Do you want to make a difference today with juveniles in the system? Are you not just looking for the next job or opportunity, but a career where you can learn, grow, and contribute to a retirement plan? If so, we have an opportunity for you.

The Travis County Juvenile Probation Department (TCJPD) is seeking positive, assertive, reliable, and confident individuals to serve as role models for youth staying in our short-term Juvenile Detention facility. Juvenile Detention Officers provide for the day-to-day direct supervision of youth detained in a 24-hour pre-adjudication detention program. Officers maintain the safety and security of detained youth, ensure the health and welfare of each juvenile, counsel clients on an individual basis, and facilitate cognitive skills groups to assist juveniles in developing appropriate coping skills and prosocial behaviors. Juvenile Detention Officers implement appropriate programs for clients and document client behavior in accordance with department policies and procedures and all applicable standards. The ideal candidate for this position will have a unique opportunity to serve, protect and have a positive impact on the lives of youth from various backgrounds and communities. Detention Services' mission is to provide competency development, accountability, welfare, and community protection.

The Detention Services Program provides for the detention of male and female juveniles who are awaiting disposition of their cases by the court Services are provided 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, in a secure pre-adjudication facility. Services offered include classroom instruction by Austin Independent School District teachers, Counseling Services and recreational activities.

Please note: This position requires that you be available to work a non-traditional work schedule to include evenings, weekends, and holidays. You are required to work any of the following shifts: 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM; 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM; and 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. upon hire, and the Department may reassign you to a different shift when a business need arises in order to meet operational needs:

We encourage qualified candidates to apply. We also have part time Juvenile Detention Officer Assistant positions available. Part time Juvenile Detention Officer Assistant positions supplement the full time Juvenile Detention Officers and depending on business need may work additional hours When all job qualifications are met, Juvenile Detention Officer Assistants may be considered for promotion to a regular, full-time Juvenile Detention Officer position.

Distinguishing Characteristics:

Juvenile Detention Officer I:

This is the second in a series of four juvenile detention-related job classifications within the Court Services job family. This classification provides direct supervision to clients placed in the juvenile detention facility by the court system. Duties performed are of a routine to moderately complex nature and type and may initially perform duties in training together with a higher-level staff member. This classification may require work in secure facilities. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Juvenile Detention Officer II:

This is the third in a series of four juvenile detention-related job classifications within the Court Services job family. This classification provides direct supervision to clients placed in the juvenile detention facility by the court system. Duties performed are of more complex nature and type.

This classification may require work in secure facilities. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Juvenile Detention Officer III:

This is the fourth in a series of four juvenile detention-related job classifications within the Court Services job family. This classification provides direct supervision to clients placed in the juvenile detention facility by the court system. Duties performed are of the most complex nature and type. This classification typically functions as a working lead over the activities of other juvenile detention positions in addition to the normal range of duties. This classification may require work in secure facilities. This classification may require a flexible work schedule in order to meet the needs of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides direct supervision of all client daily activities. Maintains accountability of all clients and equipment and ensures that the environment is safe, clean and secure.
• Ensures that clients are aware of and understand their responsibilities and appropriate behavior.
• Conducts inspections, rounds and drills which includes room searches, pat searches, fire drills and emergency response readiness training.
• Transports youths to and from appointments as needed.
• Coordinates and provides daily educational and entertainment programs and activities.
• Conducts cognitive skill groups and teamwork activities. Models competency in direct care principles for less experienced staff.
• Documents clients' behavior and enters into department computer information system.
• Assists in training other juvenile supervision officers.
• Provides individual and crisis intervention counseling as required.
• Ensures environment is safe and clean. Maintains order and discipline.
• Physically restrains aggressive juveniles using approved protocols and procedures.
• Serves on committees and participates in special projects.
• Maintains communication with other staff to ensure continuity of care.
• Assists in investigating incidents involving clients.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education and Experience:

Juvenile Detention Officer I: Starting at $24.23 hourly

High School Diploma or equivalent AND one (1) year experience working in the Human and Social Services field (i.e., Corrections, Security, Mental Health, Counseling, Teaching, or other related social service professions.)

OR

any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job

Juvenile Detention Officer II: Starting at $24.95 hourly

Associate's degree in Human Services or a directly related field or two (2) years of college education in Human Services or a directly related field AND two (2) years' experience in direct client care, counseling, law enforcement, corrections or related field;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Juvenile Detention Officer III: Starting at $25.82 hourly

Associate's degree in Human Services or a directly related field or two (2) years of college education in Human Services or a related field AND three (3) years' experience in direct client care, counseling, law enforcement, corrections or related field;

OR,

Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.

Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:

Must be at least 21 years of age

Must not have a disqualifying criminal history as defined by Texas Administrative Code Chapter 344. Certification as a Juvenile Detention Officer or eligible for certification within six (6) months of date of hire, Successful completion of Cardio-pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Certification, First Aid and

Handle with Care (state approved physical restraint techniques). Valid Texas Driver's License.

Preferred:

Experience working with youth in a secured facility

Associate degree or higher in Criminal Justice, Social or Behavioral Sciences or a related field.

Knowledge of:

• Policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system.
• Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations, guidelines and applicable juvenile justice system standards and procedures.
• Standard practices in area of assignment.
• Psychological concepts of good behavior, social adjustment and emotional stability.
• Standard counseling techniques.
• Safety and security techniques and standards.
• Physical restraint techniques to control aggressive behavior.
• First aid techniques.
• Computer equipment to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases and a variety of software packages.

Skill in:

• Monitoring and responding to client behavior.
• Problem-solving and decision-making.
• Interviewing clients.
• Both verbal and written communication.

Ability to:

• Work efficiently both independently and as part of a team.
• Reason and make judgments and decisions.
• Work effectively and courteously under stressful circumstances.
• Deal effectively with mentally disturbed, hostile and aggressive individuals.
• Manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities.
• Conduct investigations and report results clearly, accurately and impartially.
• Perform in a stressful environment while maintaining a professional manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with departmental clientele, representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, representatives of the juvenile justice system and the general public.

Work Environment & Other Information

Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 50-100 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and basic office equipment. Subject to standing, sitting, walking, climbing stairs, bending, stooping, crouching, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, twisting, balancing, repetitive motion, and squatting to perform the essential functions. Subject to contact with communicable diseases, radiation, hazardous waste, human fecal matter and foul odors. Subject to stressful environment and client and customer contact for extended periods of time.

Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.

Work Hours: Shift work: 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM, 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM, 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM (Must be able to work all three shifts as needed.)

Location: 2515 S. Congress Ave Austin, Texas 78744

Department: Juvenile Probation Department

Criminal, Driving, Education, and Employment Background Checks Required.

Physical Exam, Drug Test, Alcohol Test, Psychological Exam

For updates or questions on this position, contact:

This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.

You must ensure your application accurately reflects your skills and abilities as they relate to the position. Only periods of employment and experience detailed in the "Work Experience" section of the application will be considered in determining which applicants move forward in the selection process, as well as determining pay level for candidate(s) recommended for hire.

Benefits

Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.

FY2026 Travis County Benefit Guide

In this valuable Travis County Benefits Guide you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees.

Credit Union

Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits.

Deferred Compensation

Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction.

Direct Deposit

Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit.

Employee Assistance Program

Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family.

Employee Organizations

Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction.

Employee Health & Wellness Clinic

Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs.

Holidays

An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.

Insurance

Employees may select from four plans: an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis County's current policy is to pay 100% of the employee's health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $50,000 Basic Life and AD&D paid by the County.

The following benefits are employee paid:

• Dental
• Vision
• Supplemental Life, AD&D
• Dependent Life
• Short Term Disability
• Long Term Disability
• Long Term Care

New employees are covered on the first day of the month following 28 calendar days of employment.

Longevity

Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification.

On the regular payday on or after the employees fourth and subsequent adjusted service dates, he or she receives a single payment for the previous year.

Parking

A limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex.

Personal Holidays

Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins:

January - March

3 personal holidays

April - June

2 personal holidays

July - September

1 personal holiday

October - December

None

New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.

Retirement

Travis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees.

Sick Leave

Regular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.

Parental Leave

Each Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a 12 month period. Paid Parental Leave for Part-time PPL Eligible Employees is prorated based on the number of hours that they are regularly scheduled to work.

Tuition Refund

Certain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily.

Vacation

Based on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time at the following rates:

0 to 5 years

4.0 hours per pay period

6 to 10 years

4.5 hours per pay period

11 to 15 years

5.0 hours per pay period

16 to 20 years

5.5 hours per pay period

21 plus years

6.0 hours per pay period

Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis.

Workers Compensation

The county provides all employees workers compensation coverage with benefits in accordance with state statute, if the employee sustains an injury out of, or in the course of work.

01

Do you have at least a High School diploma or G.E.D.? (Yes or No)

• Yes
• No

02

How many years of experience do you have with direct client/juvenile care?

• None
• Less than 1 year
• 1 to 2 years
• 3 to 4 years
• 5 to 6 years
• More than 6 years

03

This position requires working in a secure environment with and around juvenile residents. Are you willing to work in this type of environment?

• Yes
• No

04

Are you fluent in English and Spanish?

• Yes
• No

05

This position requires that you be available to work a non-traditional work schedule to include evenings, weekends, and holidays. You may be required to work any of the following shifts upon hire, and the Department may reassign you to a different shift at any time in order to meet operational needs: 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM; 2:00 PM to 10:00 PM; and 10:00 PM to 6:00 AM. Do you acknowledge and understand this requirement, and agree to work any of the stated shifts if selected for this position?

• Yes
• No

06

This position has certain work environment and physical demands to perform the essential functions. Are you able to perform the duties of this position with or without a reasonable accommodation?

• Yes
• No

07

I understand and acknowledge that the Certified Probation or Supervision Officer classifications do not allow an incumbent to possess an active TCOLE/Peace Officer certification.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer Travis County

Address 700 Lavaca Street

Austin, Texas, 78701

Website https://www.traviscountytx.gov/human-resources/jobs