Job Specification 40804
CORRECTION OFFICER RECRUIT, JUVENILE JUSTICE
DEFINITION
Under close supervision of a supervisory officer in the Juvenile
Justice Commission, attends residential training in various law
enforcement courses as authorized by the NJ Police Training
Commission; receives on-the-job training and instructions for
the appropriate care, well-being, security, and custody of
convicted juvenile offenders assigned to various institutions,
facilities, and boot camps throughout the State; learns to
utilize a balanced approach of supervision and instruction to
encourage juvenile offenders self-involvement and personal esteem
to participate in rehabilitation and educational programs;
attends classes and courses addressing principles of supervision
practices and surveillance activities in accord with Police
Training Commission requirements; does other custody related
duties as required.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative
purposes only. A particular position using this title may not
perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely,
all duties performed on the job may not be listed.
EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Observes and learns proper procedures to exercise all powers and
rights of enforcement to function as a law enforcement officer.
Learns proper usage, security, integrity, and care for firearms
and the responsibility of maintaining firearms and other
restraints and defense equipment while performing assigned
duties.
Learns rules, regulations, policies, procedures, practices,
operational methods, and processes related to juvenile
correctional institutions, facilities, boot camps, and satellite
locations.
Learns military style training techniques and regimented
activities associated with close order drill and conditioning for
physical training of assigned juvenile offenders.
Observes and learns objectives of programs developed for social
and emotional habilitation initiatives of juvenile offenders.
Learns how to project an authoritative, supportive, and positive
attitude to assist juvenile offenders in achieving goal
objectives.
Observes and participates in custody programs in rating and
evaluating juvenile offenders in earning access of credits toward
privileges and specialized activities and programs.
Attends an in residence Police Training Commission Program to
learn various law enforcement practices, instructions,
surveillance and detection techniques, firearms training,
qualification and applicable regulations, policies, directives,
and procedures for the care, well-being, security, and custody of
juvenile offenders under charge of the State.
Attends specific program classes for instruction and receives on-
the-job training and physical conditioning directives related to
the principles of performing custody duties and the charge of
sentenced juvenile offenders assigned to boot camps.
As a recruit in training under close supervision, may be assigned
as a member of a group or assigned individually for one-to-one
intense training opportunities.
Learns to supervise the care, inspection, and maintaining of
living quarters of juvenile offenders in a safe, clean, secure
environment.
Learns to perform military style inspections of juvenile
offenders= clothing, living quarters, and hygiene practices on a
regular daily basis.
May assist in patrolling and surveillance activities of assigned
areas, grounds, buildings, and living quarters, renders regular
periodic reports via telephone or electronic communications, and
reports the whereabouts of all assigned juvenile offenders.
May assist in the development of acceptable conduct and behavior
of juvenile offenders in accord with established directives and
assertive mannerisms to prevent disturbances and attempted
escapes from custody.
Reports violations and discrepancies of facility=s rules to
supervisory officer.
May assist in maintaining discipline in living quarters,
recreation areas, grounds, school classrooms, hospitals,
theaters, churches, eateries, trade shops, and other areas and
places where juvenile offenders gather in groups.
May assist in preventing stated contraband and unauthorized
articles from entering the facility=s grounds, buildings, and
living quarters by utilizing various search and surveillance
techniques.
May assist in conducting regular periodic inspections and
recording conditions of living quarters, secured areas, door
locks, windows locks, and other restricted areas of the facility
and surrounding grounds.
Escorts juvenile offenders to and from living quarters to various
areas of the facility and other authorized locations.
Notifies supervisor or training officer of differing or
suspicious actions being displayed by juvenile offenders or
visual contact of suspicious persons and conditions that warrant
review and/or investigation, and makes note of changing
conditions to determine possible dangerous or hazardous
situations to ensure a safe, orderly environment.
Attends classes and demonstrations on methods of utilizing
institution equipment and accessories.
May assist in escorting juvenile offenders to job/training sites
which are off grounds and to courts of law and other formal
proceedings which may require the issuance and carrying of a
firearm.
When assigned to a medical area of treatment, may assist civilian
employees in performance of their duties.
When assigned to boot and/or institution camps and other outside
assigned details, is responsible for safety, security, and
custody of juvenile offenders under said charge.
Observes and receives training in preparation of program reports
and in keeping records and files.
Observes and assists in performing investigations and in
preparation of detailed, concise reports.
Learns practices and procedures for monitoring enforcement
programs and ensures juvenile offenders= rights are not violated.
Learns how to prepare and complete program incident reports of
violations, procedures of reporting such incidents, and
investigations required to prepare reports thereof.
Learns to prepare and compose memoranda and other communications.
May be required to testify as a witness for the State before
formal hearings, Grand Juries, Courts of Law, administrative
hearings, or other judicial bodies.
Learns how to maintain records and security of confidential
records and files.
Learns to utilize various types of electronic communications,
computer information systems, other types of recording equipment,
devices, and manual recordings used by the agency, institutions,
facilities, satellite locations, and other related units.
Learns how to recognize and rapidly evaluate potentially
dangerous and hazardous situations involving juvenile offenders=
safety and well-being, and learns to exercise caution and good
judgment in handling these circumstances to avoid personal injury
or to prevent endangerment to the general public and/or serious
personal injury to juvenile offenders and/or property damage.
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic
and/or manual recording and information systems used by the
agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION:
Possession of a High School Diploma or its equivalent.
LICENSE:
Candidates will be required to possess a driver's license
valid in the State of New Jersey.
AGE:
Minimum of eighteen (18) years of age.
CITIZENSHIP
Must be a United States= citizen at time of appointment.
NOTE
At time of appointment, eligible applicants for this
position must submit acceptable proof of meeting the above
indicated requirements.
SPECIAL NOTE
Selected eligible candidates will be required to undergo and
successfully pass medical and psychological examinations
administered by the Appointing Authority.
Selected eligible candidates will be required to
successfully complete the NJ Police Training Commission course
standards of custody, investigations, and related law enforcement
requirements. Such training shall also include firearms training
and ability to qualify and successfully attain the required level
of proficiency and ability to requalify with firearms on a
semiannual basis. All training requirements and successful
completion thereof reflect a one year training period in addition
to satisfactory completion of the working test period as a
Correction Officer Recruit, Juvenile Justice to be considered as
an eligible appointee for appointment to the Senior Correction
Officer, Juvenile Justice position.
Candidates may be required during the working test period
and/or training period to attain required motor vehicle licenses
commensurate with the class and types of vehicles to be operated.
Candidates may be required during the one year training
period to attend college level and/or other courses, paid by the
Appointing Authority, in Criminal Justice, Psychology, or other
related field of study.
Selected eligible candidates shall meet the qualifications
for juvenile corrections officers and shall be employed as
juvenile corrections officers pursuant to section 6 of P.L. 1995,
c. 284 (N.J.S.A. 52:17B-174).
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Ability to exercise powers and rights of a law enforcement
officer after a period of training.
Ability to ensure security, safety, care, usage, and integrity of
firearms and other restraints and defense equipment.
Ability to interpret problems likely to be encountered in a
working environment involving the social rehabilitation, care,
well-being, and custody of juvenile offenders detained and
deprived of specified freedoms throughout a custodial supervision
period of confinement.
Ability to utilize proper assertiveness techniques and methods
appropriate in a confined work environment with persons of
varying ethnic and language backgrounds, education, abilities,
economic levels, and personalities.
Ability to recognize potentially dangerous and hazardous
situations involving juvenile offenders, to evaluate available
options, and to determine appropriate procedures and exercise of
independent judgment in handling these circumstances after a
period of training.
Ability to utilize methods and techniques for performing
investigations of recorded juvenile offenders= inappropriate
actions and violations to stipulated rules and regulations after
a period of training.
Ability to communicate with juvenile offenders to foster self-
assurance attitudes and self esteem for themselves and toward
others after a period of training.
Ability to utilize surveillance methods and procedures after a
period of training.
Ability to utilize administrative procedures for reporting
incidents and violations to defined directives after a period of
training.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative relationships with
juvenile offenders, their family members, coworkers, and
superiors after a period of training.
Ability to learn to utilize electronic communications equipment
and database software in the performance of assigned duties.
Ability to utilize appropriate techniques to gain confidence of
juvenile offenders, to instill mutual respect of others, and
provide direction with their personal development and emotional
stability during their period of incarceration after a period of
training.
Ability to utilize varying levels of supervision of juvenile
offenders and to recommend sanctions and/or loss of privileges
when necessary.
Ability to learn military style training and regimented
activities.
Ability to conduct and lead rigorous physical fitness activities
after a period of training.
Ability to participate and lead calisthenics, exercises, and
close order drill activities.
Ability to perform military style inspections of living areas and
quarters, proper clothing/uniform attire, appropriate self
hygiene habits, safety issues, and liabilities of juvenile
offenders.
Ability to apply principles and practices of Commission
directives as they apply to custody related juvenile delinquency
problems and issues.
Ability to interpret what types of circumstances and events that
may be encountered in closely following prescribed rules and
regulations.
Ability to learn how to properly utilize firefighting equipment
and adhere to stipulated emergency procedures.
Ability to interpret, remember, follow through and carry out oral
and written directions and to learn oral and written explanations
from classes and demonstrations as they apply to custodial
responsibilities.
Ability to learn to recognize specific occurrences and differing
instances learned in classes and workshop demonstrations for
comprehending and utilizing essential facts and data gleaned
useful for everyday custody work in an institution or facility
housing juvenile offenders.
Ability to recognize suspicious persons and/or events and take
suitable action and reporting requirements to supervisor or
training officer in a very timely manner.
Ability to analyze custodial problems, organize assigned duties
and develop effective work methods.
Ability to perform repetitive work assignments without loss of
equanimity, patience, or courtesy, to remain calm and decisive in
emergency situations, and retain emotional stability.
Ability to follow instructions and render to others, clear,
accurate, and explicit directions to follow.
Ability to learn how to utilize various types of electronic
communications, computer information systems, other types of
recording equipment, devices, and manual recordings used by the
agency, institutions, facilities, satellite locations, and other
related units.
Ability to prepare detailed correspondence, reports, and
communications on custody issues and problems and other program
issues.
Ability to qualify with firearms on a semiannual basis.
Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual
recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or
related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in
English sufficiently to perform duties of this position.
American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as
acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long
as they can perform essential functions of the job after
reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If
the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the
employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
ADVANCEMENT
Appointees who successfully complete the required working test
period in addition to the twelve (12) month training period,
including the Police Training Commission and agency training
requirements will be eligible for advancement to the title Senior
Correction Officer, Juvenile Justice under Department of
Personnel procedures.
The inability of an appointee in this title to attain the level
of performance warranting advancement to the title listed above
shall be considered as cause for separation from employment.
Proposed Range: L99/40 hour workweek
CODES: L99 - 40804 RKR/hw 5/11/96
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