Job Description

Posting number: 2026-00104

Department: JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER

Job classification: YOUTH DETENTION WORKER I

Posting type: Open

Categories: Criminology, Community and Social Services

Summary

Linn County is committed to creating a Customer-Center Culture placing our internal & external customers at the center of everything we do! Why do we do this? We get that question a lot. The answer is simple: We want our customers to have a positive experience. Our co-workers are customers too. Exceptional internal customer satisfaction leads to exceptional customer satisfaction for the public!

Why work at Linn County?

• Competitive wages with annual pay increases & annual cost of living increase (depending on budget)
• Medical, dental, vision, short & long term disability, and supplemental life insurance
• Iowa Public Employee's Retirement Pension Plan (IPERS)
• Wellness program offering credit on insurance premiums and cash rewards to eligible employees
• Free on-site fitness centers
• 100% County paid basic life insurance
• 12 paid holidays per year
• Tuition reimbursement program available to eligible employees
• Training & professional development opportunities

Hourly Wage: $22.75

About the role:

Supports the supervision, safety, security, and behavior management of dependent, neglected or delinquent youth at the Linn County Juvenile Detention Center.

Examples of duties

• Supervises dependent, neglected, or delinquent youth residing in the Juvenile Detention Center.
• Assesses the psychological, physical, and emotional needs of the youth being referred.
• Conducts intake activities for residents including conducting interviews to obtain required information.
• Checks and maintains security and safety of residents on a continual basis.
• Organizes, plans, and implements structured daily activities for youth after assessing group dynamics and individual needs.
• Promotes, encourages, and supports appropriate behavior through relationship building, and confronts negative/inappropriate behavior in a professional manner.
• Physically restrains residents for the protection of themselves or others using non-mechanical restraints.
• Observes and records description of behavior for the purpose of program planning and for recommendation to the court.
• Keeps daily records and reports.
• Responds to emergency situations such as escape or suicide attempts, drug overdose, intoxicated youth, etc.
• Implements behavior management system utilizing a token economy, behavior contracting, level system, resets, etc.
• May prepare and manage serving of meals for 10-20 people.
• Performs light maintenance tasks such as cleaning and laundry activities.
• Performs all other related duties as assigned.
• Knows the products they personally produce and the customers of each product. Listens to the “Voice of the Customer “and closes gaps between customer expectations and experience whenever possible.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• At least 1 (one) year of experience in the care, counseling, and management of dependent, neglected, and delinquent adolescents.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience that demonstrates the required knowledge and skills for this position may be considered.

Supplemental information

Thursday - Sunday

1 p.m. - 11 p.m.

Read the full job description: Juvenile Detention Worker I Description

Learn more about Linn County Juvenile Detention & Diversion Services here: Juvenile Detention & Diversion Services