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Juvenile Detention Officers of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office are responsible for the direct supervision of juvenile residents in custody at the Mecklenburg County Juvenile Detention Center. Specific duties include visually monitoring and supervising of juveniles in custody, monitoring visitations, maintaining computerized log entries in accordance with the North Carolina Department of Public Safety Juvenile Justice guidelines. Juvenile Detention Officers work to ensure the safety, security and well-being of our juvenile population and are responsible for documenting and preparing various reports as necessary. Selected candidates are required to pass a reading comprehension test, physical examination, psychological evaluation and an in-depth background investigation. Successful candidates for Juvenile Detention Officer positions must be of good moral character and must not have a criminal history that would prevent them from being able to obtain and maintain Detention Officer certification from the North Carolina Sheriff’s Education and Training Standards Commission and the Juvenile Justice Officer certification. Juvenile Detention Officer candidates must also adhere to the standards set by Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office. Employment is contingent on the successful completion of the mandated 10-week training to include classroom instructions and daily physical activities (running, push-ups, sit-ups, heavy lifting, etc.…) and successful completion of the Juvenile Officer Certification Course.
Entry level Juvenile Detention Officers are primarily assigned to the Mecklenburg County Juvenile Detention Center, but MCSO management reserves the right to assign personnel anywhere in the organization based on legitimate business needs.
- Candidate must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Fields of study preferred but are not limited to: Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, or other areas of behavioral sciences.
- Candidate must possess a valid driver’s license and clean driving history.
- Candidate must be able to pass a drug screening and complete medical examination by a licensed physician, including psychological testing and evaluation.
- Candidate must be 21 years of age prior to hire date.
- Candidate must be a U.S. citizen or Naturalization Certification, if applicable.
- Candidate must be able to pass our agency physical fitness and comprehension test.
- Candidate must have a clean criminal record to include no felony convictions.
- Candidate must not have had a DWI conviction within the past five years.
- Candidate must have Honorable Military Discharge, if applicable.
Juvenile Detention Officers depending on assignment will work a 12.33 hour schedule which translates to seven 12.33 hour shifts in a (14) day pay period totaling approximately 86.33 hours. Detention Officers assigned to permanent night shift will have an opportunity to work towards seniority which allows them to be assigned to a permanent day shift position (6:40 AM – 7:00 PM). Night shift personnel (6:40 PM – 7:00 AM) are paid a shift premium that equates to an additional $1.00 per hour for their regularly scheduled shift assignment.
Starting hourly pay for Detention Officer: $57,780.00
