Experienced/Certified Juvenile Correctional Specialist

Title: Experienced/Certified Juvenile Correctional Specialist

State Role Title: Security Officer IV

Hiring Range: Minimum salary $47,721 and commensurate with related experience and applicable certifications in working in a secure facility and working with confined residents.

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Department of Juvenile Justice

Location: Bon Air JCC

Agency Website: www.djj.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is currently recruiting trained, certified, and experienced full-time/salaried Juvenile Correctional Specialists (Security Officer III) to provide a safe and secure environment for the rehabilitation and custody of committed youth. The Juvenile Correctional Specialists roles and responsibilities directly impacts the resident’s quality of institutional life and foster rehabilitation. The responsibilities also include supervising juvenile offender’s activities and maintaining control and order in the facility. The work is demanding, and it requires maturity, reliability, and self-discipline. This role is eligible for VALORs retirement benefits. The maximum salary is capped at $58,000. A signed tenure agreement is required for eligible hires for the purpose of receiving a $3,000 sign-on bonus incentive.

This is a great opportunity for experienced detention, jail, and/or correctional officers to serve as role models and make a positive impact.

• 18 years of age or older
• High School Diploma or GED
• U.S. Citizenship
• No felony convictions
• Must not be separated, nor be considered for separation from their current or previous agency, due to fault of delinquency on their part.
• Applicant's employment record must return satisfactory entirely.
• Applicants must have been employed by another public or private agency within one year before the date of application
• Complete the required three weeks basic skills training located in Hanover, Virginia.
• Valid Driver’s License (provide a copy with application)
• Successful completion of fingerprint-based background check, pre-employment drug screening and medical physical and TB testing and child protective service registry (CPS) check.

DJJ is currently seeking experienced officers with training/certifications to include but not limited to:
• Emergency preparedness and response
• PREA Documentation
• Verbal Intervention
• Grievance Procedure
• SIB/Suicide Prevention
• Internal Investigations
• Civil Liability
• Safety & Security
• Gangs
• CPR/AED/First Aid
• Professional boundaries and relationships

Minimum Qualifications

Candidates for this position must have working knowledge and demonstrated ability of:

• Safety and security procedures and practices.
• Crisis intervention in a residential or secure setting.
• Conflict resolution and the use of verbal intervention techniques.
• Quickly assess situations and provide the appropriate response.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Maintain records, documentation and prepare reports.
• Perform physical intervention (restraint) techniques by procedure and training.
  

Additional Considerations

Additional considerations include a working knowledge of:

• Facilitating and/or implementing treatment programs.
• Adolescent development.
• Experience supervising and interacting with at-risk or adjudicated juveniles is preferred.

About the job:
The position of Juvenile Correctional Specialist (JCS) operates 24 hours a day and 7 days a week at the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional facility, located at 1901 Chatsworth Avenue, Bon Air, VA 23235. The agency operates in a two 28-day work cycle schedule break. Each break consists of two - 12 hours shifts. The 28-day work cycle schedule covers four full weeks, totaling 168 hours. Each break works 14-days each 28-day cycle and every other weekend. Weekend shifts cover Friday – Sunday.

A 28-day cycle - four-week schedule breakdown: (subject to change based on operational needs and shift assignment)
Week 1: 3 days on (working days); 4 days off (rest days)
Week 2: 4 days on (working days); 3 days off (rest days)
Week 3: 3 days on (working days); 4 days off (rest days)
Week 4: 4 days on (working days); 3 days off (rest days)

Overtime is readily available on rest days. Mandatory overtime is limited to an extension of your work schedule at a minimum of four (4) additional hours.

Duties/Responsibilities:
The Juvenile Correctional Specialist will provide residents with a safe living environment that fosters maturity and alternative decision-making skills. Following required training, you will oversee and monitor all activities of the confined juvenile residents on an assigned housing unit to maintain security and control. This will ensure the safety and well-being of both residents and staff. You will be responsible for ensuring residents doors are locked and secured; conduct and document regular security and safety checks; intervene during behavioral crisis of residents; de-escalate residents during intense situations; restrain residents to reassume control; and provide mentorship to residents. The Juvenile Correctional Specialist is also required to utilize computer systems to include, but not limited to typing, printing and reviewing reports. Writing skills are essential in completing administrative documentation which includes requesting leave, writing incident reports of activities of juveniles, staff, or other incidents. You will be responsible for writing legibly and comprehensively while documenting resident checks and other various forms in a logbook. The Juvenile Correctional Specialist will also conduct and document regular security and safety checks and intervene during behavioral crises.

Additional Information:
Completion of DJJs mandatory three-week basic skills and handle with care training is located at the Virginia Public Safety Training Center (VPSTC), 7093 Broad Neck Road, Hanover, VA 23069. Prompt attendance is required each day and training is typically held Monday through Friday, starting at 8:00a.m. and ending at 5:00 p.m.

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.

Please note that all finalists who advance in the selection process will be required to provide at least two references. When submitting your state application, please include a minimum of two professional references. For each reference, list their name, phone number, and email address.

Individuals desiring to be considered for this position must submit a completed employment application and attach a resume.

Background & Pre-employment Screenings:
Selected applicants are subject to a background investigation and pre-employment drug screen. Investigations may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI); local agency checks; employment verification; and child protective service registry check. Pre-employment medical screenings are required prior to your first day of employment.

Supplemental Questions:
You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

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 fosters a culture that demonstrates the principles of civility, diversity, opportunity, and inclusion.

Contact Information

Name: Porsha Lewis

Phone: 000-000-0000

Email: Recruit@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 AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.