Youth Correctional Officer

California State Personnel Board Specification

Salary Information 

Description

Under supervision, as a sworn essential public safety officer in a Juvenile facility (institution, camp, drug treatment center, departmental Transportation Unit, or special community program), is responsible and accountable for the security, custody, and supervision of youthful offenders; and does other related work.

Assists in maintaining total facility security and safety, which may include de-escalation/communication techniques, and verbal commands, as well as using reasonable force options including physical, mechanical, or chemical restraint on out-of-control youthful offenders; reports on any breach or potential breach of security; maintains custody, supervision, and accurately accounts for youthful offenders in assigned areas of responsibility, both on and off grounds; facilitates group movements of youthful offenders within a facility, maintaining discipline and order; responds to emergencies, escapes, and disturbances as directed; keeps firearm in good working condition when required to carry; searches persons, packages, and premises for contraband; searches buildings, perimeters, and other areas for maintenance of standards of security, safety, order, and cleanliness; prepares clear and accurate incident reports in a timely and expeditious manner, and in accordance with policy and procedures; establishes rapport and communicates with youthful offenders on a daily basis; communicates with other facility staff regarding observations and conclusions resulting from group interaction and individual youthful offender behavior; assists the Youth Correctional Counselor in providing supervision of youthful offenders for feeding, personal care, recreation, and other general activities; operates electronic word and data processing systems for information input and retrieval; participates in in-service training sessions; operates a motor vehicle as necessary; may transport youthful offenders to or from airports, bus stations, hospitals, court, jobs, or other facilities or community service projects. At a youth conservation fire camp, works cooperatively with staff of law enforcement and fire suppression departments as necessary.

Youth Correctional Officers assigned to the K-9 Security Service Team perform their duties with the assistance of a canine, and train and care for assigned canine on a 24-hour basis; must qualify with and carry a firearm.

As a Transportation Officer assigned to the departmental Transportation Unit, operates automobiles, vans, and buses to transport youthful offenders between or to Juvenile facilities, city and county jails, juvenile halls, Department of Corrections facilities, State and private mental health facilities, and other locations; represents the department when dealing with other states on extradition cases; participates in the legalities necessary for the return of youthful offenders under the jurisdiction of the department from other states to Juvenile facilities or to designated county facilities; must qualify with and carry a firearm; transports and feeds youthful offenders in route; maintains security, supervision, and discipline of all youthful offenders throughout the transportation period.

Knowledge and Abilities

Knowledge of: The purposes of the Department.

Ability to: Effectively communicate at a level necessary for successful performance on the job; interpret and follow instructions and departmental policies and procedures; follow established procedures and techniques of individual and group supervision of youthful offenders; reason logically and take appropriate action; act independently and make decisions; analyze and respond to situations spontaneously, accurately, and with common sense; think and act quickly in emergencies; gain the cooperation, interest, and respect of other facility personnel, youthful offenders, and the public; maintain custody and control of youthful offenders; impose fair and firm discipline; accept and use supervisory direction constructively; learn electronic word and data processing systems for information input and retrieval.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Equivalent to graduation from high school.

Special Requirements

Minimum age for appointment 21 years.

Felony Disqualification: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1029, persons convicted of a felony are disqualified from employment as peace officers except as provided under Welfare and Institutions Code, Division 2, Chapter 3, Article 8, Section 1179(b), or Division 2.5, Chapter 1, Article 4, Section 1772(b). Except as provided for by these statutes, persons convicted of a felony are not eligible to compete for, or be appointed to, positions in this class.

Firearm Conviction Disqualification: Anyone who is restricted for employment-related purposes from accessing, possessing, carrying, receiving, or having under his/her control a firearm or ammunition under all applicable State or Federal laws is ineligible for appointment to any position in this classification.

Background Investigation: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1029.1, persons successful in peace officer examinations shall be required to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to appointment. Persons who have previously undergone a Youth Authority background investigation may be required to undergo only a partial background investigation.

Medical Requirement: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031, persons appointed to a peace officer class shall undergo a medical examination to determine that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job safely and effectively.

Drug Testing Requirement: Applicants for positions in this class are required to pass a drug-screening test. (The drug-screening test will be waived for employees who are currently in a designated "sensitive" class for which drug testing is required under State Personnel Board Rule 213.)

Training Requirement: Persons selected as Youth Correctional Officers participate in a residential training program at the Basic Correctional Juvenile Academy. Successful completion of the training program is a requirement for permanent status as a Youth Correctional Officer. In addition, persons appointed to this peace officer class must meet the California Correctional Peace Officers' Apprenticeship Program requirements pursuant to the standards developed by the Commission on Correctional Peace Officer Standards and Training (CPOST) per Penal Code sections 13600 and 13601.

Pursuant to Penal Code Section 832, persons selected as Transportation Officers and canine handlers shall successfully complete the firearms training and shall qualify at least quarterly with the firearm carried. In addition, canine handlers must successfully complete the K-9 Academy Training Program and maintain the certification.

Citizenship Requirement: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031 (a), in order to be a peace officer, a person must be either a U.S. Citizen or be a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for U.S. Citizenship. Any permanent resident alien who is employed as a peace officer shall be disqualified from holding that position if his/her application for citizenship is denied.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Emotional maturity and stability; demonstrated leadership ability; empathetic and objective understanding of the problems of youthful offenders in custody; honesty; integrity; tact; patience; high moral standards; neat personal appearance; keenness of observation; willingness to work impartially with and accept the various racial, ethnic, and cultural differences of the youthful offenders in custody; continuing satisfactory record as a law-abiding citizen; punctuality and willingness to work various shifts, including weekends and holidays, and to report for duty at any time emergencies arise; sound physical, mental, and emotional condition; strength, endurance, and agility necessary to meet the demands of the job; corrected distance visual acuity of 20/20 or better in each eye; an uncorrected distance visual acuity of 20/60 or better in each eye; ability to pass the Farnsworth D-15 color vision test (normal color vision or only a mild to moderate color vision deficiency) and a peripheral field of view of at least 120 degrees of horizontal extent and 100 degrees of vertical extent, with no evidence of scotomas (nonseeing areas) within the full visual field of each eye; and hearing sufficient to meet the demands of the job.

The Youth Correctional Officer incumbents are expected to demonstrate high ethical standards consistent with other state peace officer classifications and perform in such a way that facilitates and promotes the department’s rehabilitative programs, policies, and public safety efforts.

Preferred or Desirable Qualifications 

Possession of a valid driver license; an appropriate commercial driver license is necessary for persons performing youth conservation fire camp or transportation officer duties.

All employees must have general qualifications as described by California Code of Regulations, title 2, section 172.

Class History