Resident Specialist I

Title: Resident Specialist I

Hiring Range: Minimum $41,894 (salary commensurate with qualifications) $5,000 Sign on Bonus (does not apply to current state employees)

Agency: Department of Juvenile Justice

Location: Bon Air JCC

Agency Website: 

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

Are you looking to make a positive impact and difference?

The Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (VADJJ) is an agency that prides itself in recognizing that we must continuously strive in all of the work that we do to meet the needs of our youth and staff by upholding four guiding principles: Safety, Purpose, Connection and Fairness. Here at the VADJJ, we believe in the capacity to change, to promote healthier and safer communities. Our employees make the difference!

The Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center is currently seeking dedicated and qualified candidates for the position of Resident Specialist I (RS I).

The Resident Specialist I provides direct care to residents in a secure correctional environment and is assigned to security posts to ensure orderly facility operations and the safety of the youth, visitors, and staff. This position oversees and monitors all activities, maintaining security and control in an assigned housing unit community to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents and staff. The incumbent shall conduct and document security/safety checks and intervene in behavioral crisis situations to ensure safety through the use of approved intervention/de-escalation strategies and techniques to include but are not limited to, verbal de-escalation, physical restraint, and mechanical restraints.

The RSI works as part of a multi-disciplinary treatment team dedicated to helping young people reach their goals while in a secure environment and prepare 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. The roles and responsibilities of the RS I directly impact the residents’ quality of institutional life and foster rehabilitation.

The Bon Air Juvenile Correctional facility operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As such, facility staff members are required to work on either a 12 hour day or night shift.

The RSI position will be assigned to and required to work any shift which best meets the needs of the facility at the time of hire.

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

Minimum Qualifications

At a minimum, selected candidates will possess the following:

•Working knowledge of safety and security procedures and practices.
•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 quickly assess situations and provide the appropriate response, performing physical intervention (restraint) techniques as required in accordance with procedure and training.
•Demonstrated ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
•Working knowledge of conflict resolution and the use of verbal intervention techniques and effective verbal communication skills.
•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.
•The ability to serve as a role model and mentor to residents, effectively demonstrating coaching skills.
•Demonstrated ability to observe and evaluate residents’ behavior and progress toward treatment goals.
•Ability to communicate effectively in writing, demonstrating clear, effective, and purposeful communications with residents, supervisors, and peers, as well as maintaining records, documentation, and preparing observational and other reports.

A valid driver’s license is required at the time of employment.

High school graduate or equivalent.

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred qualifications 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, to include some college or post-high school education in these fields is desired. Experience supervising and interacting with at-risk or adjudicated juveniles is desired.

Special Instructions: 

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

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Applicants who meet the outlined qualifications for this position will be contacted and invited to interview at the Bon Air Juvenile Correctional Center in Chesterfield, VA.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED

Those applicants who are recommended to move forward in the selection process will be required to complete documentation for a background investigation, physical agility test including push-ups, sit-ups, running ½ mile within a set timeframe.

Hired candidates will be required to attend and successfully complete a five-week training and certification program to include physical elements. This will be held in Hanover County at the Department of Juvenile Justice Training Academy.

http://www.djj.virginia.gov/pages/admin/training.htm

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: Selected applicants are subject to a background investigation and pre-employment drug screen. The investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI); local agency checks; employment verification; verification of education (relevant to employment); credit checks; and other checks requested by the hiring authority.

MILITARY SERVICE: If you have military service, please fax a copy of the DD-214 to 804-371-6491 (fax). You must include your name and the position number on the fax cover sheet.

DRIVER’S LICENSE: Selected applicants must possess a valid driver’s license prior to the first day of employment.

SUPPLEMENTAL QUESTIONS: You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application.

CONFIRMATION: This website will provide a confirmation of receipt when the application is submitted for consideration. You have not completed the process until you receive a confirmation number.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT PROCESSES: The successful candidate will be required to have tuberculosis and medical screenings prior to start date.
Contact Information
Special Instructions to Applicants
Equal Opportunity Employer: The Department of Juvenile Justice practices fair and equal employment opportunity 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.
Lay off Policy 1.3: If you have been affected by DHRM Policy 1.3 layoff, and possess a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or a Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), you must submit the card before the closing date for this position. The Card may be submitted with the state application as an attachment.
DJJ Welcomes Veterans: DJJ is committed to hiring and retaining veterans. If applicable, please submit form DD-214 with your state application. Please include your name and the position number in which you are applying along with the DD-214.
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.
Status Updates/Confirmation: Once you submit your online application, you will instantly receive an application confirmation number. You may use this number to track the status of your application during the recruitment process. Please refer to your RMS account for the status of your application. Updates will not be provided via telephone.
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.
Commonwealth’s Alternate Hiring Process: 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 Certified Rehabilitation Counselor within the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS to get their Certificate of Disability. If you need to get a Certificate of Disability, use this link: https://www.vadars.org/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx , or call DARS at 800-552-5019.

Contact Information:

Name: Theresa Burtotn

Phone: 804-664-6699

Email: theresa.burton@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.