What Is a Juvenile Corrections Officer Clerk?
Juvenile correction officers work in jails, detention centers, drug treatment programs and other community programs that serve at-risk youth and juveniles convicted of crimes. This job can be one of both high stress and high reward.
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Responsibilities
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Juvenile correction officers are first and foremost responsible for the safety of offenders, staff and visitors at a facility. Officers may also transport offenders to and from court or other appointments. You might also have opportunities to be a part of special teams making decisions about offender treatment and release plans. To be a corrections officer you must also be able to respond all manner of emergency situations.
Skills
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Working with youth in high-risk situations means a corrections officer must be confident, assertive and able to remain calm in stressful situations. Officers must also be able to handle multiple tasks at once, assess situations for health and safety concerns and be able to serve as a role model to young offenders. Corrections officers must also be in top physical health. Shifts require a good deal of standing and walking as well as unexpected physical demands such as needing to restrain an offender.
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Education
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Education requirements to become a juvenile corrections officer will vary depending on the type of facility where you work and the duties of your specific job. Minimally, you must have a high school diploma or GED. A bachelor's degree in criminal justice or related field may also be required for some positions. If you have previous military or law enforcement experience, be certain to include that on your application.
Risks
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It is important that correctional officers never underestimate the potential for danger on the job, regardless of the age of the offender. Training programs, often called "academy", will prepare you to handle emergency situations, violent offenders and other volatile situations. Your best defense, however, is to be alert at all times and have a wide range of skills and techniques you can use to diffuse potentially dangerous situations.
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