TJJD - Senior Juvenile Correctional Officer V - (GNS) - 41662

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Performs highly complex (senior-level) work overseeing correctional staff who provide direct care to juveniles in a correctional residential facility. Work involves overseeing the daily operations of a juvenile residential facility; and facilitating youth rehabilitation, supervision of youth, and coaching their personal development in accordance with individualized treatment plans. May plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others.

Provides supervision and direct care for youth in a residential correctional facility, supervises other Juvenile Correctional Officers during shifts, and ensures the safety and security of youth and staff. Supports, coaches, and mentors other JCOs to teach appropriate methods and positive ways to work with youth. Works to help youth to achieve progress in learning and applying methods to identify and manage reactions to stress and trauma and react in more socially appropriate ways. Uses appropriate intervention methods in response to behavioral issues that seeks to aid in learning and correcting behavior. Maintains a consistent effort to ensure safe environments and employs security measures when youth, staff, or others are in danger. Interacts and engages with youth in ways that both maintain appropriate structure and exercise understanding of brain development in youth with complex trauma. Maintains healthy relationships and boundaries with youth and consistently recognizes progress and good choices made by youth. Responds appropriately to youth grievances. May act as Campus Shift Administrator.

Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Works assigned shift; and may be required to work in excess of 40 hours per work week, be on-call, and occasional travel.

Pre-Service Training Academy Requirement: Newly hired JCOs or rehired JCOs who have been separated more than 18 months will be required to attend the pre-service training academy and complete on-the-job training on a full-time basis. JCOs who have worked for TJJD and return to employment within 18 months of their separation date will not have to attend the pre-service academy and will be placed in full-time status on their date of employment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Engages in competency-based training in the techniques and capabilities needed to coach youth under the Texas Model of trauma-informed corrections; and coaches and models appropriate Texas Model techniques and ideals to other JCOs and staff.

Acts as coach and role model to other levels of JCOs to help them learn appropriate methods and interventions, with a strong focus on retention and support for newly hired JCOs in their first year.

Holds youth accountable in ways that fit the level of behavior, seeking to help youth to learn socially acceptable responses and approaches.

Uses good judgment in determining when safety is at risk and higher levels of intervention are required.

Helps youth to identify their responses to stress, fear, and other triggers and works with the youth to learn ways to increase emotional self-regulation skills.

Practices and models appropriate self-regulation skills and is able to remain calm during times of stress and crisis.

Helps JCOs identify and utilize their own self-regulation skills so they are equipped to co-regulate youth.

Gains a basic knowledge of each youth’s treatment plan and provide support in learning the skills needed to meet those goals.

Coaches youth on how to resolve conflict with other youth and staff as appropriate.

Participates in the Youth Service Team and provides input into each youth’s treatment plan; and is a responsible and supportive team member, who understands that an effective team is composed of reliable people who provide backup and support for their fellow team members and the facility as a whole.

Provides for a predictable schedule for youth that is transparent to them and provides warnings and prompts for all movements and transitions; and exercises independent judgment when the need arises to alter a schedule (while still maintaining transparency and warnings).

Implements and monitors youth activities, programs, and behaviors on an individual and group basis, to ensure healthy youth engagement and to provides appropriate role modeling for all youth.

Observes and keeps staff informed daily of significant behavioral and treatment-related conditions and events known about a youth and/or the group.

Provides services to potentially aggressive/combative youth in a correctional setting with a wide variety of temperaments (volatile, mentally ill, suicidal) and specialized needs (chemically dependent, sexual offenders, emotionally disturbed, etc.).

Physically restrains and secures, if necessary, sometimes aggressive youth and participates in follow up debriefing conversations to assess the relationship and determine alternative strategies to avoid future physical restraints.

Maintains security in buildings, grounds, and other posts; and intervenes during emergencies or altercations to prevent escapes and protect the safety of all youth.

Conducts searches for contraband and health/safety hazards; and performs room, property, pat, and strip searches of youth as required.

Supervises assigned youth during all of their daily activities, including on the dorm, at school, during meals, and other activities; manages all movements between activities; conducts periodic headcounts; ensures youth engage in required activities; and transfers and transports youth, on foot, in vehicles, and other forms of transportation.

Responds appropriately to youth grievances.

Maintains privacy and follows all policies, regulation, and laws in regards to youth records.

Completes and maintains required records, files, and forms in a timely and accurate way.

Monitors outcomes for racial, ethnic, and gender disparities and takes action to address identified disparities.

Performs a variety of related duties not listed, to be determined and assigned as needed.

Performs all duties in compliance with agency safety policies and procedures:

Reports safety hazards and corrects hazards when possible. Completes required documentation in the event of an accident/injury within requested time frames. Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency attendance and leave policies.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Must be at least 23 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Two years of full-time wage earning experience supervising or providing rehabilitation/treatment services to youth or adults in a treatment program, correctional program, or a residential setting (e.g. correctional officer, case manager, counselor, or probation or parole officer).

Preferred:

College degree or coursework.

Experience and Education Substitutions:

Completed course hours of undergraduate study may substitute for up to four years of experience on a basis of 30 course hours for one year of experience. Pro-rated part-time experience may satisfy the experience requirement.

Note: Any degree, diploma, high school equivalent, or course hours required to meet minimum qualifications must be obtained from an accredited educational institution.

Applicants with the following will not be considered:

Convicted or received deferred adjudication for any felony. Convicted or received deferred adjudication for domestic violence involving a family member including non-spouse partners. Convicted or received deferred adjudication for official oppression. Current requirement to register as a sex offender. Arrested for a disqualifying offense that was not expunged before the statute of limitations expired. Outstanding warrant.

Applicants with other arrests, deferred adjudications, and convictions may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine suitability for employment.

Pre-employment conditions require acceptable results from mandatory:

pre-employment drug test; finger printing, criminal records check, and driving record check; Fitness-for-Duty Assessment which may include both physical and behavioral evaluations.

Requirements for Continued Employment:

Obtain and maintain certification in TJJD Use of Force techniques, which requires physical restraint of juveniles. Obtain and maintain certification in First Aid and CPR. Failure to maintain required certification will result in termination of employment.

This position is subject to mandatory pre-employment drug testing and any offer of employment is contingent upon acceptable results from a drug screen conducted for the agency.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

The following physical demands and working conditions are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Analyzing Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing Ability to see Ability to hear (with or without aid) Ability to perform tactile discernment Identifying colors Depth perception Operate motor equipment Heavy lifting, 45 lbs. & over Heavy carrying, 45 lbs. & over Restraining combative youth Pulling Pushing Prolonged standing and walking Walking Standing Sitting Repeated bending Reaching above shoulder Manual/finger dexterity Dual simultaneous grasping Crawling Twisting Kneeling Stooping Climbing stairs Climbing ladders

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

Safety and security procedures and practices. General counseling and guidance techniques with adolescents. Facility rules and regulations. Individual and group behavior. Child development and the role of the family. Causes of juvenile delinquency and current methods of juvenile offender treatment.

Ability to:

Remain calm and regulate one’s own behavior while helping to serve as a role model for youth who are learning to self-regulate their own behavior. Maintain healthy and engaging relationships with youth while maintaining appropriate boundaries important for healthy development. Work with youth in an empathetic and understanding manner with sustained positive interactions. Communicate effectively with youth to foster youth cooperation in the treatment process. Plan and implement youth programs. Facilitate group discussions and activities. Set limits on youth behaviors when appropriate in a consistent, firm and fair manner. Intervene and redirect behavior. Appropriately respond to abusive language and behavior in a manner consistent with instructions received in training. Remain alert, observant, and physically able to respond appropriately to work situations or emergencies including, but not limited to, physical restraint of youth. Learn verbal and physical crisis intervention/de-escalation techniques and emergency treatment procedures. Maintain order and discipline. Physically restrain youth when necessary in a manner consistent with instructions received in training. Explain the progress of the youth to their family members and other treatment staff. Interpret rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Accept and adapt to changes in assignments, methods, policies, etc. Work collaboratively with all stakeholders and maintain a professional, courteous demeanor. Prioritize and manage multiple tasks. Plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments; and meet deadlines. Process information logically, make decisions, and demonstrate the soundness of those decisions. Document observations and incidents and maintain written files and records. Transport youth as necessary. Work a variety of shifts, weekends, and holidays. Work in excess of 40 hours per work week, be on-call, and travel occasionally.

Benefits include: Retirement plan, paid group health & life insurance for employee, paid holidays, paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, longevity pay, educational assistance program, employee assistance program. Optional add-on benefits include: Dental, Vision, Optional Life Insurance, Voluntary AD&D Insurance, Dependent Health & Life insurance, Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts, etc. Additionally, certain designated positions are eligible for hazardous duty pay, career ladder advancements, and free meals while on duty.

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