Juvenile Corrections Officer
Criminal Justice & Protective Services
Specialize in the provision of correction services to underage minor populations.
What Juvenile Corrections Officers Do
Specialize in the provision of correction services to underage minor populations.
Common Tasks
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- 1Maintain case history records and prepare reports.
- 2Interview clients individually, in families, or in groups, assessing their situations, capabilities, and problems to determine what services are required to meet their needs.
- 3Serve as liaisons between students, homes, schools, family services, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services, doctors, and other contacts to help children who face problems, such as disabilities, abuse, or poverty.
- 4Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients and perform follow-ups assessing the quantity and quality of services provided.
- 5Address legal issues, such as child abuse and discipline, assisting with hearings and providing testimony to inform custody arrangements.
What You'll Learn
Types of Juvenile Corrections Officers
Work Environment
Locations
- • Juvenile detention centers
- • Youth correctional facilities
- • Probation and court services offices
- • Group homes and residential treatment centers
- • Schools and community social service agencies
Schedule
Many roles follow set schedules, but facility-based jobs often require rotating shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays with high time pressure.
Physical Demands
Work can involve long periods of standing and walking, frequent handling of objects, and responding quickly to incidents. Some roles are more desk-based with extended sitting for documentation and case management.
Salary & Job Outlook
National Employment: 803,600 jobs
Top Paying States
Why Demand May Grow
Demand can rise as courts and agencies expand diversion, rehabilitation, and reentry services for youth, increasing the need for staff who can manage cases and coordinate services. Growth in school-based and community programs can also increase hiring for juvenile-focused social service roles.
Skills You'll Need
Pros & Cons
Pros
- • Meaningful work supporting youth rehabilitation
- • Strong need for communication and counseling skills
- • Clear procedures and structured work environment
- • Transferable experience to social services or law enforcement
- • Steady openings due to turnover in high-stress roles
Cons
- • High-stress situations and potential exposure to conflict
- • Shift work and mandatory overtime in facilities
- • Heavy documentation and strict compliance requirements
- • Risk of burnout and compassion fatigue
- • Work can involve difficult family and legal issues
Common Questions About the Juvenile Corrections Officer Trade
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