Juvenile Correctional Specialist (Sign On Bonus)

Title: Juvenile Correctional Specialist (Sign On Bonus for Eligible Employee)

State Role Title: Security Officer IV

Hiring Range: Starting Salary $44,100

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

Do you desire to be a champion for OUR youth? The Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice may be the right place for you!

A DJJ career provides an opportunity to improve the lives of youth, families, and communities. DJJ is adding to our team of dedicated Juvenile Correctional Specialist positions and we are excited to speak with you.

About the job:

The Bon Air Juvenile Correctional facility located in Chesterfield, Virginia, operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with eight and twelve-hour 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.

As a Juvenile Correctional Specialist (JCS), 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.  

JCS duties include but are not limited to:

• Implement best practices in supervision, security, and treatment of juveniles in a correctional setting.
• 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.
• Conduct and document security/safety checks and intervene in behavioral crises.
• Completes 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.
• Work 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.
• Fosters a therapeutic environment by serving as a role model and mentor to residents and by maintaining 24-hour safety and security.

Please read: Juvenile Correctional Specialists may be required to work overtime hours during staffing shortages, peak workload times, or in bona fide emergencies. Mandatory drafting of up to 4 additional hours beyond the assigned shift is a condition of employment.

Why DJJ? 
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.

Attention all new hires in the Commonwealth of Virginia! If selected for the Juvenile Correctional Specialist role, you may be eligible for a sign-on bonus of up to $6,000. The bonus will be paid in two installments, as outlined in the Sign-On bonus agreement. More information about this exciting recruitment incentive will be provided during the interview process.

We are currently hiring for both eight-hour and twelve-hour shifts. Please note that the shift work does include weekends. Our current hiring priority is for the day shift. For eight-hour shifts, we are hiring for the following schedules: Tuesday through Saturday and Sunday through Thursday, with hours from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Additionally, we highly desire individuals who are available to work twelve-hour shifts during the A and B breaks, with hours from 5:45 a.m. to 6:15 p.m.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people while pursuing a fulfilling career in public safety. This recruitment is open until filled. Multiple positions will be filled from this recruitment 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

• 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.

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.

As a condition of employment, the selected individuals must be able to commit to 40 hours per week for three (3) weeks for initial basic skills training located in Hanover, Virginia.

Application Process:
Individuals desiring to be considered for this position must submit a completed 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 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.

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

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

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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.