Note: Current Employees must use the Workday Job Hubs career section to apply for this position.

The mission of Yakima County Government is to provide accessible, responsive and responsible public service through leadership and teamwork committed to understanding and meeting public needs.

Our Values:

• Integrity

• Common Sense

• Innovation

• Accountability

Position Data:

Juvenile Corrections Officer I-J23-U11-H

Regular

Non-Exempt (eligible for overtime)

Overview:

Pay Range: $23.03 - $29.21 per hour (AFSCME -87P Pay Plan,B22 Step 1-13)
Hiring Range: $23.03 - $24.44 per hour (AFSCME-87P Pay Plan, B22 Step 1-4 DOQ)

Job Closing Date: December 18, 2026
Applications will be reviewed each week, starting Tuesday, October 27, 2026

*If a qualified candidate is selected, the posting will be closed prior to the closing date*

Job Description Summary
There are multiple Female Only Juvenile Corrections Officer I vacancies with Yakima County Juvenile Court.
This position is to provide for the safety and security of the staff, facility and youth confined in the Yakima Juvenile Detention Facility.
Gender-specific (female) hiring preference may apply to fill the Corrections Officer position in order to create a safer booking process of same gender pat-down searches and to comply with conventional standards of sexual privacy.

Successful candidates must pass a Physical Ability Test (P.A.T.) administered by the Department. Notification will be given for the date and time of the P.A.T. Requirements to pass the P.A.T. can be found at https://cjtc.wa.gov/training-education/juvenile-corrections-personnel-academy.


This position requires working various shifts in a twenty-four (24) hour locked-down facility, including weekends and holidays.


Benefits included in position:
Health Care Benefits (Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life and Basic LTD)
Retirement Benefits
Paid Vacation
Paid Holidays
Paid Sick Leave

Note: This is an AFSCME 87P - Juvenile Master Contract Bargaining Unit position.

This recruitment may be used to fill future vacancies that occur within 90 days of the closing of this position. (This excludes Yakima County Sheriff's Office and Department of Corrections)

Responsibilities:

Juvenile Corrections Officer I-J23-U11-H

Provides direct supervision and interaction with juvenile detainees by:  verbally resolving conflict between juveniles, identifying and observing group agitators and gang members. Identifies juvenile groups and gangs to anticipate potential problems. Recognizes behavioral characteristics of a violent offender. Identifies unrest among juveniles.  Monitors / logs behavior of juveniles in disciplinary segregation. Uses physical force or manual /chemical restraints on juveniles when required.  Monitors/observes incoming juveniles to identify mental / physical condition and requests examination by medical personnel. 

Monitors/verifies that prescription medication is taken. Observes juveniles to recognize symptoms of drug use/withdrawal and to determine who may be suffering from mental or emotional disorders to maintain facility and personal security.  

Provides facility security by: inspecting vehicles/containers entering or leaving the facility. Inspects identification of persons entering/exiting the facility.  Verifies the identity of officer and juvenile detainee exiting/entering the facility. Controls entry into the detention area by video and computer monitoring of exits.  Physically patrols tiers, cell areas, corridors and other secured areas inside and outside of the facility to ensure building security during non-business hours and to observe juvenile behavior.  Maintains key security.  Provides limited court room security for in custody children cases.   Escorts and provides security for juveniles outside of the facility either by motor vehicle or foot. 

Performs pat-search and strip searches on juveniles.  Searches clothing/property left for juveniles.  Conducts periodic searches of juvenile cells to discover and seize contraband, weapons and processes seized contraband.   Takes action to stop/report escapes and security breaches.  Conducts head/facility count. Responds to emergency situation according to well established procedures; participates in facility lockdown. Reports unusual or irregular incidents to supervisor. 

Utilizes problems solving skills by: investigating and documenting injuries and behavioral patterns of juveniles.  Determines when a  juvenile crisis or problem should be referred to facility staff.  Controls personal feelings against juvenile(s) to encourage proper supervision and to avoid provoked confrontations.  Recognizes juvenile efforts to manipulate corrections officers.  Counsels juveniles to help resolve problems. 

Prepares and submits all written documentation and reports concerning juvenile population, events and detention facility functions in accordance to procedure.

Performs general duties such as:  inspecting detention facilities for cleanliness, assures sanitary facilities are well maintained in accordance to procedures.   Supervises juveniles at school, crafts, exercise, recreation, chores, visitation and telephone calls.  Performs general laundry and supervises clean up.

   

Other duties as assigned.

Education and Experience:

High School Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED) is required; AND any combination of work experience, volunteer work, education or family rearing which demonstrates the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the job.

Required:   

• Must be a female and at least 21 years of age.
• Valid WA State Driver License at time of employment.
• Be determined suitable for the position based on the results of a criminal background investigation, fingerprinting, general employment verification, physical agility test, polygraph examination and disclosure pursuant to RCW 43.43.830 and 43.43.834.
• Tuberculosis testing and Washington State Food Handler’s Permit required at time of employment.  Washington State Basic First Aid training course with CPR required within 2 months of employment. 
• Must be able to work various shifts in a 24 hour locked down facility, including weekends and holidays.
• Must pass the Physical Ability Test (PAT) administered by the Department.  Notification will be given for the date and time for the PAT.  Requirements to pass the PAT can be found on the internet at https://cjtc.wa.gov/training-education/juvenile-corrections-personnel-academy.

Preferred:

• Ability to converse in Spanish  as spoken in the geographical area is preferred, but not required.
• Experience working in Detention or Corrections, or Education in related field is preferred, but not required.

Applicants who are certified in the Red Cross Basic Course with CPR may substitute for WA State First Aid Training course and will be required to keep their certification current as a condition of continued employment. 

Successful completion of the Juvenile Corrections Personnel Academy administered by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission is required within six months of initial hire date.

Equipment Operated:

Telephone, copy machine, calculator, radios, intercom, main control panel, handcuffs, OC spray, respirator, fax machine, voice mail, computer and automobile.

Working Conditions: This position is rated as Medium Work, Exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to move objects or work out in the field.

Environment: excessive noise, exposure to weather, pathogen exposure, travel, working in a locked down facility, and may be exposed to hostile/angry individuals.

Work is performed primarily in the juvenile detention facility, which is in operation 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.  Mental stress may occur due to the nature of the work.

Physical Demands: bending, carrying, handling, lifting, pulling, pushing, reaching, sitting, standing, walking, fingering, balancing, climbing, crawling, crouching, kneeling, reclining, hearing, smelling, talking, and visual acuity. Speaking, hearing, seeing, standing for long periods of time.

Intellectual Demands: Ability to multitask, confidentiality, ability to work under pressure, ability to articulate and communicate information in conversations, ability to follow written instruction, ability to follow written instruction, and ability to follow verbal instruction.

Knowledge:

Knowledge of group dynamics; youth safety procedures; security and proper use of physical force; discipline techniques; legal rights of youth; child development; cleaning products and equipment to maintain a clean and odorless facility with basic health and safety precautions.

Skills and Abilities:

Ability to work and communicate with individuals and groups of youths; cope with emergency situations in an institutional setting; understand and follow oral and written instructions; work with public, staff and youth in situations of high stress; observe and record the behavior of detained juveniles; ability to read, write and converse fluently in English is required.

“AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER”
Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans and the Disabled are encouraged to apply.

Yakima County ensures equal employment opportunities regardless of a person’s age, color, creed, sensory, mental or physical disability, genetic information, marital status, national origin, political belief, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, and military status, or any other protected status under federal or state statute.

PAY TRANSPARENCY NONDISCRIMINATION PROVISION
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish the information.

Disabled applicants may request accommodation to participate in the job application and/or selection process for employment. Please contact Human Resources for further information.

Yakima County is a qualified Public Service entity for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. For more information, go to https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service or contact your federal loan servicer.

In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, Yakima County will hire only United States citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the United States.

Yakima County is an E-Verify Employer.