Govt. Law Enforcement - Detention Center Administrator - Closes: 07-08-2026

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Detention Center Administrator is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Sault Tribe Youth Facility and ensuring the safety and security of staff, residents, and visitors. The position is responsible for directing Sault Tribe Youth Facility team members in the planning and development of the living units and the day treatment programs. The position is responsible for maintaining a safe building, facility maintenance, repairs, supplies, and sanitation of the center, and for ensuring compliance with applicable Bureau of Indian Affairs and State of Michigan standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)

• Directs and coordinates staff activities regarding the care and treatment of residents.
• Maintains proper living standards and therapeutic interventions and creates an emotionally, and physically safe, positive, and productive environment.
• Consults and collaborates with service providers to enhance services within the Facility.
• Controls costs and reports facility expenditures to the Chief of Police.
• Participates in the development and implementation of the overall treatment model/program plans.
• Reviews and interprets goals and objectives in order to resolve problems, make recommendations for changes, and assure adequacy of work products.
• Coordinates team members by ensuring proper coverage, scheduling work assignments, setting priorities, and directing the work in designated work areas.
• Directs, coordinates, and participates in the intake and release of residents, off-grounds trips, and use of center vehicles.
• Provides direction and assistance in supervising residents in crisis intervention, emergency, and conflict situations.
• Represents the Sault Tribe Youth Facility in communications with the community, parents, and service providers.
• Provides, maintains, and monitors records and reports such as incident reports, computer data, and intake records.
• Provides leadership in the formulation and implementation of treatment, training, and therapeutic objectives.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES: (includes, but is not limited to, the following)

• Receives, maintains, and distributes inventory.
• Identifies staff development and training needs and ensures that training is obtained.

CONTACTS:

Immediate peers, peers in other departments, immediate supervisor/manager, managers in other departments, executives, Board of Directors, customers, outside vendors/service providers, Tribal, Federal, State and local agency representatives.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Position heavy with the lifting of 100 pounds maximum and with frequent lifting/carrying up to 50 pounds. Physical factors include frequent standing, walking, carrying, use of hearing, near/midrange/far vision, depth perception, color/field of vision, bending, typing and driving; occasional sitting, pushing/pulling, climbing, stooping, kneeling, crawling, reaching, manual handling and use of smell. Working conditions include occasional exposure to weather, extreme heat/cold, wet/humidity, and air quality. Potential hazards include frequent exposure to moving mechanical parts, client contact, infectious exposure, needles/syringes, and equipment. Personal protection equipment provided by an employer includes items such as but are not limited to, gloves, gowns, face shields, masks, eye protection, mouthpieces, resuscitation bags, pockets masks, ventilation devices, and other equipment as needed. Immunizations including the Hepatitis B vaccination series will be offered to a team member at no cost. TB vaccinations are required on yearly basis and provided to a team member at no cost.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Guidance and Counseling, Education, Business Administration, or Public Administration required.

Experience: A minimum of five years of relevant work experience related to the above degree required. A minimum of five years of management/supervisory experience required in addition to the above-stated degree requirements.

Certification/License: Must be able to successfully complete Juvenile Detention Officer Training at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center as required by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). Must be able to obtain CPR and First Aid Certification within six months of hire, training will be provided. Will be required to undergo and successfully pass a background check. Must maintain a good moral character standing. Must have a valid driver’s license and be insurable by the Sault Tribe Insurance Department. Must comply with annual driver’s license review and insurability standards with the Sault Tribe Insurance Department. Must comply with the Sault Tribe’s Drug-Free Workplace Policy which may include random drug tests.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: Knowledge of the principles of management, including supervisory techniques, training, and program planning, staffing, and budgeting required. Knowledge of juvenile detention facility operating procedures is required. Knowledge of general correctional facility standard operating procedures is required. Knowledge of behavior patterns of youth and methods for modifying behavior required. Knowledge of group dynamics and sensitivity to individual members of the group are required. Knowledge of the policies, procedures, and regulations concerning youth care is required. Knowledge of supervisory techniques is required. Must be able to work within general methods and guidelines and exercises considerable independent judgment to adapt and apply guidelines to specific situations. Must have excellent public relations/customer service skills and be able to exhibit a friendly and positive attitude and establish and maintain effective communication with co-workers, supervisors, subordinates, and guests. Must be able to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, in a diverse range of audiences and settings. Must be able to work in a high-stress environment and handle difficult situations. Must be able to prepare clear, concise, thorough, meaningful, and grammatically correct written reports, letters, memoranda, policy and procedural drafts, and other written documents. Must maintain confidentiality. Native American preferred.

This job description outlines the general scope and level of responsibilities associated with the position. It is not intended to be an employment contract, nor does it represent a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or requirements. The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians reserves the right to modify, add, reassign, or combine job duties or positions, in whole or in part, at any time.