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Are you looking for an exciting, rewarding career? Want to make a real difference in the lives of at-risk youth? Consider becoming a juvenile Correctional Officer and joining the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice's (SCDJJ) Team!

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice invites applications for the position of Juvenile Correctional Officer to maintain the safety and security at the UNIONEVALUATION CENTER (UEC)

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.

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 Juvenile Correctional Officers (JCO) come from various personal, professional, and educational backgrounds. However, successful JCOs 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's (JCO's) 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 ability of the agency 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 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.

Counsels youth to prevent incidents.

Redirects youth for inappropriate behavior.

Provides constant and consistent enforcement of the behavior management system.

Recognizes and 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 super isors. Ensures a clean environment.

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

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. Special Requirements: Must be an officer in compliance and certified with Continuing Law Enforcement Education (CLEE) or obtain this certification within the required timeframe established by the hiring agency. Some positions require completing the Correctional Officer Basic Certification Course within the first six months after placement. Incumbents may be required to fulfill all South Carolina Law Enforcement Training Board requirements for law enforcement certification. Some positions require a commercial driver's license.

Agency Minimum Requirement: Must be 21 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent. Must have a valid Driver's License. Must attend, pass, and maintain all required DJJ training courses. 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 various 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 in accordance with 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 passive; employees must be mobile and able to bend and lift, interact, and intervene with youth 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, and/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 bac