Juvenile Detention Officer

Juvenile Detention Officers

Do you want a career that truly makes a difference? We’re looking for motivated, compassionate individuals who care about their community—especially kids. As a Juvenile Detention Officer (JDO), you’ll play a vital role in guiding and supporting young people during a pivotal moment in their lives, helping set them on a path toward better choices and brighter futures.

You’ll be part of a team that values teamwork, support, and growth. We offer a positive, caring work environment, competitive pay, excellent benefits, and real opportunities to build a long-term career.

Now hiring full-time Juvenile Detention Officers!

In this dynamic role, you’ll work hands-on with youth in a secure detention setting. Responsibilities include supervising and supporting daily activities in housing units, facilitating group programming, operating Central Control, conducting assessments, managing intake and release, and safely transporting residents inside and outside the facility.

If you’re passionate about making a positive impact, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and want a career with purpose, we’d love to connect with you and talk about becoming a Juvenile Detention Officer.

Qualifications: Graduation from high school or equivalent supplemented by college coursework in criminal justice, human development or a related behavioral science field including six months of experience working with juveniles in a social service, detention or corrections program or any equivalent combination of training and experience that provides the desirable knowledge, abilities and skills. 

Necessary Special Requirements: 
Employees assigned to transport must possess a valid driver's license. At the time of employment, must meet facility driving record requirements.

Must be a citizen of the United States and be at least twenty-one (21) years of age.

At the time of employment, must be fingerprinted for a National and State criminal history search; must be free of any convictions of crimes punishable by imprisonment in a state or federal penitentiary for a term of one year or more from which a pardon has not been received; cannot be registered as a Child Abuse or Sexual Offender with the National Child Abuse and Neglect registry.

At the time of employment, must submit to and successfully pass a substance abuse test.

At the time of employment, must pass a physical examination and meet physical and medical requirements of the job classification.

THIS POSITION IS SUBJECT TO MANDATORY DRUG TESTING POLICIES AS A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT.

Lancaster County is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and E-Verify participant.