Job Description

Job Responsibilities

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).

MISSION
It is the mission of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to impact and transform young lives, strengthen families, and support safer communities through targeted prevention and rehabilitation.

Job Purpose:

Under the general supervision of the Captain, the Sergeant will assist in instructing and directing Juvenile Correctional Officers in providing youth with a safe and secure environment that fosters healthy decision-making and is conducive to rehabilitating at-risk youth. This position is assigned to specific posts to ensure orderly facility operations and the safety and well-being of all youth and staff. This position plays an essential role, and the responsibilities directly impact the youth and the ability of the agency to provide safe and secure rehabilitative opportunities for youth. This position\'s purpose is to contribute positively to the youth\'s overall rehabilitative process through a positive youth development framework and a positive facility culture.

Job Responsibilities:

Engages with youth throughout the day to ensure the safety, security, rehabilitation, and well-being of youth.

Ensures frequent and helpful communication with youth throughout the day.

Serves as a mentor for new security staff.

Provides support to new staff in maintaining youth headcount and completing all required reporting and daily logs.

Physically respond appropriately to emergency situations.

Conducts routine and unannounced security inspections per agency policy.

Conducts routine and unannounced frisk searches of the youth after all youth movements. Ensures that each youth has their basic needs met.

Remains knowledgeable and informed of the security status of all youth assigned.

Serves on all facility posts, including specialized units and in various locations. Provides training, direction, and guidance to staff in an effort to assist them in carrying out their responsibilities.

Provides supervision, control, and leadership to the youth and staff in specialized programs, services, and activities.

Assists with supervision of shift operations regarding employees and youth as needed.

Assists in maintaining the shift schedule and coordinates staff coverage when necessary.

Makes routine and frequent inspections of all units to ensure that employees perform duties in compliance with practices.

Ensures the unit has adequate clothing, linen, cleaning supplies, and hygiene items.

Ensures proper grooming of youth in the unit.

Works to assist directly with any crisis intervention disputes amongst the youth and assist in controlling disruptive behavior.

Refers acute problems to appropriate staff. Mediates disputes between youth and JCOs.

Provides input on performance evaluations of officers as requested.

Ensures all subordinate staff complies with agency policy, procedure, and Federal and State law.

Complies with agency policy and procedure to complete required reports concerning youth and/or employee-related incidents and any matters pertaining to the facility\'s safety, security, and operation.

Performs other security-related duties when required. Serves as a member of the On-Call management team and responds to the needs of the facility.

Performs other duties and tasks assigned by a supervisor to support the agency\'s mission and values further.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

State Minimum Requirements:
A high school diploma and experience in correctional, security, or police work.

Agency: Must be 21 with a valid driver\'s license and a high school diploma or equivalent. Must also have 18 months of experience in correctional, security, military, or police work. Must attend, pass, and maintain all required DJJ training courses.

Special requirement:

Must be an officer compliant with and certified under CLEE (Continuing Law Enforcement Education) within six (6) months of employment. Must have an 80% rate on competency/proficiency exam and possess supervisor and teaching skills.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
Knowledge of state laws/institutional rules/regulations/requirements for controlling youth/Child Abuse Statutes.

Knowledge of purpose/methods/practices of secure facilities.

Knowledge of various methods of instructing/handling/supervising youth in various activities.

Interpersonal skills, patience, and both verbal and non-verbal communication skills.

Ability to exercise good judgment/initiative in a variety of situations.

Ability to build healthy relationships with youth and effectively communicate with them to promote respect and trust and manage challenging behaviors maturely and professionally and in accordance with training.

Ability to establish/maintain satisfactory working relationships with fellow employees/families/general public.

Ability to maintain a valid state driver\'s license and ability to operate a state vehicle.

Ability to follow a daily schedule, be accountable to the facility processes, document events and activities, and supervise multiple youths effectively.

Additional Requirements: Under general supervision with an annually scheduled performance review. Works independently on a limited basis.

The position is not sedentary; employees must be mobile and able to bend and lift, interact, and intervene with youth when applicable.

Must be able to respond physically to emergency situations, including physically intervening and/or restraining youth according to agency policy.

Required to work shift hours (day, evening, night, weekend, &/or holidays) and be subject to mandatory overtime stay as the facility needs.

Training applicable to these duties will be provided. It will consist of physically and successfully completing the agency\'s selected Behavioral Management training, which includes the Primary Restraint and Take-down techniques and on-the-job functions but is not limited to Handcuffing (hands extended behind back), prone positions (flat on stomach and/or back), Kicks and Strike Motions, Joint Manipulations, bending at the waist and torque motions. Lifting hands above the head, repeated breathing (inhaling/exhaling) techniques for CPR/First Aid/AED. Kneel on knees (together and individually) unsupported.

Must work in extreme heat/cold/ humidity/inclement weather; safely operate a motor vehicle; and have a valid state-issued driver\'s license. Walk and/or stand for extended periods of time, sit in a desk chair for up to eight hours per day at least 5-7 days per week, visually distinguish subjects at distances of up to 75 yards, and wear protective equipment in case of emergencies.

Must attend training and maintain certification required by the Continuing Law Enforcement Education (CLEE).

This position performs job duties relating to the custody, control, transportation, or recapture of youth within the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice. The employee may have direct and indirect contact with youth within the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Note: If any Agency Requirements are listed above, applicants must also meet those requirements to be considered for the position. Salary may vary depending on experience and qualifications. Candidates must present documentation of their attainment of a college degree(s) at the time of the interview.

Documentation must be an official or unofficial copy of the college transcript or a Letter of Verification of Degree from the institution\'s Registrar\'s Office. If the candidate selected for the position provided an unofficial copy, it must be replaced with an official copy on or before the HR processing date.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred:
A Bachelor\'s degree in criminal justice or related accompanied with experience supervising, mentoring, and interacting with at-risk youth.

Additional Comments

Applications are incomplete if you fail to answer all supplemental questions, education, and work history. Incomplete applications are not referred to hiring managers. Applications are accepted until 5:00 p.m. on the stated closing date.

You will be asked to provide a certified transcript if selected for a position requiring a degree. A background investigation will be conducted that may include, but is not limited to, criminal records, driver\'s license, and child abuse registry prior to an offer of employment. Additionally, a medical examination and drug testing may be required. Please provide an explanation for any gaps in employment. A resume may be attached to your application but not substituted for completing the work history section of the application.

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health, dental, and life insurance
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days of sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• State retirement plans and deferred compensation programs
• Discount Programs such as TicketatWork and WeSave

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