Job Details
Job Responsibilities
Are you looking for an exciting, rewarding career? Do you want to make a real difference in the lives of at-risk youth? Consider becoming a Correctional Officer and joining the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice's (SCDJJ) Team!
South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice invites applications for Correctional Officers to maintain safety and security for 3 Midlands Region Facilities (JDC, MEC, BRRC).
Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) - JDC is a centralized pre-trial detention facility serving juveniles from most of South Carolina's 46 counties.
Broad River Road Complex (BRRC) - BRRC is the agency's long-term commitment facility.
Midlands Evaluation Center (MEC) - MEC provides court-ordered evaluations for adjudicated juveniles from the Midlands area before the final disposition of their cases.
MISSION The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) 's mission is to impact and transform young lives, strengthen families, and support safer communities through targeted prevention and rehabilitation.
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IS NOT REQUIRED!New officers will learn effective communication and de-escalation skills to manage behavior. Our training program is facilitated by experienced trainers who teach first aid, report writing, crisis intervention, defensive tactics, investigation, problem-solving, and other critical skills used by corrections and law enforcement professionals. IS THIS THE CAREER RIGHT FOR ME?Our JCOs come from various personal, professional, and educational backgrounds. However, successful JCOs do have a few things in common. They are strong communicators with a genuine desire to help people. They value serving their community and understand the importance of working in a team environment. They are problem-solvers who can make decisions and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
BONUS INCENTIVES
Our way of rewarding YOU for your commitment!
JOB PURPOSE:
Under the general supervision of the Captain, the Juvenile Correctional Officer (JCO) position provides youth with a safe, 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 agency's ability to provide safe and secure rehabilitative opportunities for youth. This position aims to contribute positively to the youth's overall rehabilitative process through a positive youth development framework and facility culture.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
Engages with youth throughout the day to ensure their safety, security, rehabilitation, and well-being.
Ensures frequent and helpful communication with youth throughout the day. Performs assigned post responsibilities surrounding youth care.
Initiates and maintains youth headcount and completes all required reporting and daily logs.
Physically respond appropriately to emergencies.
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's basic needs are 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.
Counsels youth to prevent incidents. Redirects youth for inappropriate behavior.
Provides constant and consistent enforcement of the behavior management system.
Responds to minimal disruptions and emergencies according to agency policy by deploying verbal and physical de-escalation strategies.
Conveys observations and interactions with education, social work, mental health, and medical staff. Serves as a member of the local unit team meetings.
Transports youth as needed and supervises youth movement to ensure all youth receive the required treatment and educational, recreational, vocational, visitation, and other activities.
Ensures youth receive proper medical attention as needed and required by agency policy and procedures.
Submits work order requests to supervisors.
Ensures a clean environment.
Complies with agency policy and procedure to complete required reports concerning youth and employee-related incidents and any matters about the facility's safety, security, and operation.
Performs other duties and tasks a supervisor assigns to support the agency's mission and values further.
Minimum and Additional Requirements
State Minimum Requirements:
A high school diploma.
Agency Minimum:
The candidate must be 21 and have a high school diploma or equivalent. The candidate must also have a valid Driver's License and attend, pass, and maintain all required DJJ training courses.
Special Requirements:
The officer must be compliant with and certified under CLEE (Continuing Law Enforcement Education) within six (6) months of employment. The officer must also have an 80% competency/ proficiency exam score and possess supervisory and teaching skills.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
Ability to learn state laws/institutional rules/regulations/requirements for controlling youth/Child Abuse Statutes.
Ability to learn the purpose/methods/practices of secure facilities.
Ability to learn various methods of instructing/handling/supervising youth in multiple activities.
Interpersonal skills, patience, and both verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
Ability to exercise sound 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, professionally, and by training.
Ability to establish/maintain satisfactory working relationships with fellow employees/families/general public.
Ability to maintain safety and security according to policy and training.
Ability to follow a daily schedule, be accountable to the facility processes, document events and activities, and supervise multiple youths effectively.
Ability to maintain a valid state driver's license and ability to operate a state vehicle.
Additional Requirements:
This position operates under the general supervision of a direct supervisor. The supervisor reviews work daily and monthly and performs annual performance evaluations. Works independently on a limited basis.
The position is not sedentary; employees must be mobile and able to bend and lift, interact with youth, and intervene with them when applicable.
Must be able to respond physically to emergencies, including physically intervening and 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 completing the agency's selected Behavioral Management training, which includes the Primary Restraint and Take Down techniques and on-the-job functions but not limited to Handcuffing (hands extended behind back), prone positions (flat on stomach and 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 be able to work in extreme heat, cold, humidity, or inclement weather; safely operate a motor vehicle, including having a valid state-issued driver's license.
Walk and stand for extended periods, 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 youths within the Department of Juvenile Justice's jurisdiction. The employee may have direct and indirect contact with youths within the Department of Juvenile Justice. Training applicable to these duties will be provided.
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) during 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
Agency Preferred: Experience supervising, mentoring, and interacting with at-risk youth
Additional Comments
Applications are incomplete if you fail to answer all supplemental questions, including your 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.
If selected for a position requiring a degree, you will be asked to provide a certified transcript. Before an offer of employment is made, a background investigation will be conducted that may include but is not limited to, criminal records, driver's license, and child abuse registry. Additionally, a medical examination and drug testing may be required. Please explain 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
Benefits for State Employees The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.
Insurance Benefits Eligible employees may enroll inhealth insurance , which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits.Other available insurance benefitsinclude dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.
Retirement Benefits State employees are also offeredretirement plan options , including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in theSouth Carolina Deferred Compensation Program , which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.
Workplace Benefits State employees may also be eligible forother benefits , including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.
Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.
01
I understand that I will accept an initial duty and workday/shift assignment, which may be changed to meet the needs of DJJ. If selected for this position, are you available to rotate shifts, i.e. nights, days, weekends, holidays, on-call?
02
I understand that the initial training for this position will take place during the hours of 8:00am to 5:00pm. I also understand that once the initial training is completed, I will be assigned to a shift based on the needs of the agency.
03
If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor or felony criminal offense after your 17th birthday, you MUST list this information under "agency-wide questions #1 & #2," regardless of how long ago the conviction(s) took place (unless you have taken steps to delete your record). This includes fraudulent checks, driving under suspension, disorderly conduct, shoplifting, etc. You may only omit minor traffic violations such as speeding tickets & seatbelt violations, etc. *Please note that conviction of a criminal offense does not bar you from employment in all cases; each conviction is evaluated individually. However, failure to list convictions is considered a falsification of the application and may be grounds for termination. It is your responsibility to know what is on your criminal record. If you have questions regarding this requirement, please inquire before you complete your application. Do you have any misdemeanors or criminal offenses (felonies), as noted above? If yes, please explain below.
04
I understand that SCDJJ will not hire or promote anyone who may have contact with residents, and shall not enlist the services of any contractor who may have contact with residents who has engaged in sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility juvenile facility, or other institution (as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1997); has been convicted of engaging in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; or has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described above.
05
The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice is an equal opportunity employer. DJJ does not discriminate in hiring, promotions, discharge, pay, fringe benefits, job training, classification, referral or in any other aspects of employment, on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, disability or national origin. Any acts you feel is in violation please contact the Office of Human Resources, 220 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC 29210 (803) ###-####. The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice's School District also does not discriminate in any programs or activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age. The following offices have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the school district's nondiscrimination policies: Title IX - Inspector General's Office - 220 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC 29210-5427 - Ph: 803-###-####; Special Education Office, 4900 Broad River Road, Columbia, SC. I have read and fully understand DJJ's position concerning the law.
06
How did you hear about this position?
- Government Website (careers.sc.gov)
- Career Fair
- Sc Works
- Indeed.com
- DJJ Employee
- Other
07
If you answered "DJJ Employee" to the previous question please list employee's name.
08
If you answered "other" to question 5, please tell us how you learned of this position.
09
Do you have a high school diploma or a high school Diploma Equivalent (ex. GED, etc.)?
10
Do you have a valid driver's license?
11
Minimum Requirement: Are you 21 years of age or older?
12
Please provide us with two (2) references. One (1) Professional reference and One (1) Personal reference (Non-Family Members). Please list name(s), phone number(s), and email address(es).
Required Question
Agency
State of South Carolina
Agency
Department of Juvenile Justice
Address
P O Box 21069
4900 Broad River Road, Building 2007
Columbia, South Carolina, 29221-1069
Phone
803-###-####
The language used in this document does not create an employment contract between the employee and the agency. This document does not create any contractual rights or entitlements. The agency reserves the right to revise the content of this document, in whole or in part. No promises or assurances, whether written or oral, which are contrary to or inconsistent with the terms of this paragraph create any contract of employment.