Juvenile Justice Specialist

THE POSITION

Does guiding court-adjudicated youth towards responsible behavior and empowering them to make positive community contributions sound like a rewarding career? The Department of Human Services, Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services, South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit, is seeking dedicated first-line supervisors to effectively guide, assist, and motivate staff to make a difference in the lives of court-adjudicated youth. We are looking for individuals who will roll up their sleeves and actively engage with staff and our adolescents. Apply today and embark on the first step towards a fulfilling and rewarding career

Watch this video to see how you can make a difference

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

In this position, crucial to our mission, you will work to cultivate strong relationships with both staff and court-adjudicated youth; facilitating the resolution of personal challenges and offering positive reinforcement to foster appropriate attitudes and responsible behavior. As a Juvenile Justice Specialist Supervisor, you will actively supervise employees involved in providing guidance, instruction, treatment, and specialized services in our secure setting. You will work alongside your staff as they provide for the physical care, custody, and supervision of the youths‘ daily activities that include recreation, housekeeping, personal hygiene, work assignments, and program requirements. You will have the opportunity to assist other staff with implementing treatment plans and reporting youths‘ progress in attaining goals. A key component of this work is communicating with youth about their thought processes, actions, and personal problems to provide insight into responsible behaviors and attitudes for the future. You can expect to maintain order by verbally and physically intervening with disruptive, emotionally improper, and suicidal youth; use appropriate physical restraint techniques to prevent escapes and control aggressiveness; and maintain a safe, secure or restricted environment.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment, 40-hours per week, located at South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit.
• Work schedules will be created in shifts, including holidays and weekends, normally consisting of 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 3:00 PM to 11:00 PM, or 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM. You will have a 5-day work week with 2 set regular days off. Work schedules are subject to change based on operational needs.
• Travel may be required as well as voluntary and occasional mandatory overtime.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $60,506 (before taxes).
• Free parking is available
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• One year of experience as a Juvenile Justice Specialist (commonwealth title); or
• Three years of experience in the care, custody, activities, or personal guidance of adolescents or adults in a human services or social services program, law enforcement or correctional program, or an educational, community, or military organization; or
• One year of experience in the care, custody, activities, or personal guidance of adolescents or adults in a human services or social services program, law enforcement or correctional program, or an educational, community, or military organization; and an associate‘s degree in social sciences, counseling, restorative justice, juvenile justice, child development, behavioral sciences, human services, criminal justice, education, or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Special Requirement:

• All employees must be at least 21 years old at the time of application.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. *7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional%20Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans‘ Preference tab or contact us at .

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  1. your score may be lower than deserved.
  2. you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

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