Juvenile Correctional Specialist (State Only)

Title: Juvenile Correctional Specialist (State Only)

State Role Title: Security Officer IV

Hiring Range: Commensurate with experience

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Department of Juvenile Justice

Location: Bon Air JCC

Agency Website: www.djj.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: State Employee Only - E

Job Duties

New year, new goals. Prepare to transition to the Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice, Virginia’s only state government juvenile correctional facility. Quid Pro Quo: Let DJJ invest in you!

About the job:
Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice is now accepting applications for Juvenile Correctional Specialists (JCS), a state VALORs eligible position. This is a great opportunity for experienced officers to serve as role models and make a positive change.

The Bon Air Juvenile Correctional facility located in Chesterfield, Virginia, operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with various shifts available for full-time salaried staff. Shift availability is contingent upon the needs of the facility. At this time, the day shift is a hiring priority.

DJJ SEEKS CURRENT STATE EMPLOYEES WITH TRAINING / CERTIFICATIONS TO INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO: PREA, DOCUMENTATION, VERBAL INTERVENTION, GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE, SIB/SUICIDE PREVENTION, INTERNAL INVESTIGATION, CIVIL LIABILITY, SAFETY AND SECURITY, GANGS, CPR/AED/FIRST AID, & PROFESSIONALISM.

As a Juvenile Correctional Specialist, you will provide direct care to residents in a secure correctional environment and be assigned to designated security posts to ensure orderly facility operations and the safety of the youth, visitors, and staff. The roles and responsibilities of the Juvenile Correctional Specialist directly impact the resident’s quality of institutional life and foster rehabilitation.

Duties include and are not limited to:
-Implementing the best practices in supervision, security, and treatment of juveniles in a correctional setting, to provide residents with a safe living environment conducive to growth and change. Oversee and monitor all activities, maintaining security and control in an assigned housing unit community to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents and staff.
-Conducting and documenting security/safety checks and intervene in behavioral crises to ensure safety through the use of approved intervention/de-escalation strategies and techniques including by are not limited to, verbal de-escalation, physical restraint, and mechanical restraints. Engages and encourages residents to achieve treatment and personal learning goals to assist in their life-long success.
-Completing all administrative and program documentation (such as time sheets, leave forms, incident reports, logbook entries, various forms, etc.) legibly, completely, timely, and accurately. Documents activities, observations, and interactions with residents, staff, and the public, in accordance with procedures. Completes required forms and reports, behavior management program data, logbook entries, and other written documents.

-Working as part of a multi-disciplinary treatment team dedicated to helping young people reach their goals while in a secure environment and preparing them for successful reentry into the community. This position fosters a therapeutic environment by serving as a role model and mentor to residents and by maintaining 24-hour safety and security.

Additional Information:
The Department of Juvenile Justice offers competitive salaries and generous benefits such as health coverage, paid vacation, and retirement for full-time positions. There are also excellent promotional and staff development opportunities.

Shifts Include:

Shift 1 - Typical work hours: 5:45 AM to 2:45 PM (8-hour shift)

Shift 2- Typical work hours: 2:30 PM to 11:30 PM (8-hour shift)

Shift 3- Typical work hours: 11:15 PM to 8:15 AM (8-hour shift)

Shift 4- Typical work hours: 5:45 AM to 6:15 PM (12-hour shift)

Shift 5- Typical work hours: 6:15 PM to 5:45 AM (12-hour shift)

This recruitment is open until filled. Multiple positions will be filled from this announcement. A continuous review of applications will take place until the position is filled.

Minimum Qualifications

To be considered for the position, the following qualifications are required:

-Working knowledge of safety and security procedures and practices

-Working knowledge of conflict resolution and use of verbal intervention techniques

-Effective verbal communication skills

-Demonstrated ability to quickly assess situations and provide the appropriate response, performing physical intervention (restraint) techniques as required in accordance with procedure and training

-Demonstrated knowledge of conducting therapeutic groups, utilizing best practices in working in a youth residential setting, and knowledge of Positive Youth Development in a juvenile justice setting

-Candidate must be able to demonstrate the ability to execute safety and security procedures and practices; crisis intervention techniques’ and facilitate and/or implement treatment programs in a secure/residential setting.

-Demonstrated ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team

-Should possess the ability to effectively demonstrate coaching skills while serving as a role model and mentor to the residents.

Additional Considerations

Additional qualifications that will be considered include:

-Prior experience participating in group counseling sessions in a group home, detention center, or non-secure residential setting, with the ability to utilize techniques to keep the population engaged.

-A background in youth development, criminal justice, or the social sciences, including some college or post-high school education in these fields.

-Experience supervising and interacting with at-risk or adjudicated juveniles is desired.

-Considerable experience working in a correctional setting.

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Application Process:
Individuals desiring to be considered for this position must submit a completed employment application or you may attach a resume before the position’s closing date. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Applications sent through postal mail, email, or fax will not be considered.

Applicants are encouraged to be specific regarding job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities.
You will be provided an email confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application. Status updates will not be provided via telephone or email.

Background & Pre-employment Screenings:
Selected applicants are subject to a background investigation and pre-employment drug screen to include . Investigations may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI); local agency checks; employment verification; verification of education (if required and relevant to employment); credit checks; and other checks based on the position.

Pre-employment medical screenings are required for some DJJ positions.

Driver License: A valid driver’s license is required of DJJ employees to operate a state-owned or leased vehicle.

Supplemental Questions:
You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information may help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

Lay off Policy 1.3:
If you have been impacted by the DHRM Policy 1.3 layoff and have a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), it is necessary to submit the card before the closing date for this position. You can include the Card as an attachment with your state application.

DJJ Welcomes Veterans:
DJJ is committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining qualified Veterans and their spouses. Veterans who are hired into state positions may be eligible to receive additional leave accruals based on their total years of service in the military, National Guard, or Reserve. If applicable, please submit form DD-214 with your state application.

The Commonwealth of Virginia welcomes all applicants authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship is not provided; therefore, applicants must be a citizen or national of the U.S., a Lawful Permanent Resident, or an alien authorized to work.

Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable Accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact our Human Resources Department for further assistance.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Department of Juvenile Justice practices fair and equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. It is our policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. It is our goal to foster a culture that demonstrates the principles of civility, diversity, opportunity, and inclusion.

Contact Information

Name: Courtney Jones

Phone: 804-323-2005

Email: Courtney.jones@djj.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their Certificate of Disability (COD) provided by a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: Career Pathways for Individuals with Disabilities, or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155.