Juvenile Correctional Specialist (Salaried)

Title: Juvenile Correctional Specialist (Salaried)

State Role Title: Security Officer IV

Hiring Range: Minimum $44,100/year (temporary special pay rate includes an additional 15% pay for hazardous duty)

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 Department of Juvenile Justice is currently recruiting full-time Juvenile Correctional Specialists at the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center. As a JCS, you will provide direct care to residents in a secure 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 JCS directly impact the resident’s quality of institutional life and foster rehabilitation.

Applications will be continuously reviewed until the position is filled. Anticipated hire dates are the 10th and 25th of each month. 

Why DJJ?
Do you have a passion for making a positive impact on the lives of youth? A DJJ career provides an opportunity to make a difference. The DJJ also offers competitive salaries, generous benefits, and excellent promotional and staff development opportunities.

Benefits

• Health Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• VALORS Retirement Plan
• Flexible Spending Account
• VA Sickness and Disability Income Replacement and Leave Program
• Paid Vacation
• Work 14 days in a 28-day work cycle
• Employee Wellness and Discount Programs
  

JCS Duties

• Provide a safe and secure environment for the rehabilitation and custody of committed youth
• Supervise juvenile residents’ activities while maintaining control and order in the facility
• Oversee and monitor all activities of the juvenile residents in an assigned housing unit
• Ensure resident doors are locked for security
• Conduct and document regular security and safety checks
• Intervene during behavioral crisis of residents
• De-escalate residents during intense situations, including restraining residents to reassume control if necessary
• Provide mentorship to residents
• Utilize computer systems for typing, printing, or reviewing reports
• Document resident checks and various other forms in a logbook in a fully legible, comprehensive, timely, and accurate manner

Schedule

Juvenile Correctional Specialists will be assigned a regular 12-hour shift, with every other weekend off, and overtime available. JCSs are required to work other shifts, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as required by staffing and operational needs. This role could also require mandatory overtime following your shift during staffing shortages, peak workload times, or in bona fide emergencies. Mandatory drafting beyond the assigned shift is a condition of employment.

Initial Requirements
-Must have a high school diploma or GED
-Must be a US Citizen
-Must have a valid driver's license
-No felony convictions

Minimum Qualifications

Skills and Qualifications
-Knowledge of conflict resolution and verbal intervention techniques, of safety and security procedures, and of crisis intervention in a residential or secure setting
-Ability to quickly assess situations and provide the appropriate response, to effectively supervise and work with residents, and serve as a positive role model
-Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing, to maintain records and documentation, and to prepare reports
-Ability to perform physical intervention (restraint) techniques in accordance with procedure and training

Additional Considerations

-Experience supervising and interacting with at-risk or adjudicated juveniles
-Experience facilitating and/or implementing treatment programs
-Knowledge of adolescent development

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.

Hiring Process Steps

1. Online Application or Resume Submission (For full consideration for this role, all interested candidates must submit a completed state employment application and complete a pre-screen survey that will be provided in an email)
2. Interview
3. Background Investigation
4. Contingent Offer
5. Pre-employment Drug and Medical Screening
6. Candidate is Hired

New Hire Training
All new hires will be required to complete a mandatory three-week basic skills training located at the Virginia Public Safety Training Center in Hanover, Virginia. Training is typically held Monday-Friday, beginning at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 5:00 p.m. each day.

Please email recruit@djj.virginia.gov with any questions.

Additional Requirements

Individuals desiring to be considered for this position must submit a completed state employment application, or you may attach a resume. 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.

Background & Pre-employment Screenings:
Selected applicants are subject to a background investigation and pre-employment drug screen. Investigations will 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 and drug screenings are required of the selected applicants.

Driver's License: A valid driver’s license is required of the Juvenile Correctional Specialist.

Supplemental Questions:
You will 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.

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: DJJ Talent Acquisition Team

Phone: Please email your question to recruit@djj.virginia.gov

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.