Juvenile Correctional Officer [Youth Specialist]

JOIN OUR TEAM!

We are transforming and saving lives at DYS!

A safer Ohio: one youth, one family and one community at a time.

About Us:

Our mission at the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) is to improve Ohio's future by habilitating youth and empowering families and communities. We believe that our staff are our greatest resource, we believe every person can change, we encourage the best for youth and families, we strive to provide youth with everything they need to succeed, and we treat everyone with respect.

DYS is the juvenile corrections system for the state of Ohio. DYS is statutorily mandated to confine felony offenders, ages 10-21, who have been adjudicated and committed by one of Ohio's 88 county juvenile courts. During their stay with DYS, youth are engaged in programming that is designed to address their criminological and behavioral needs. DYS reaches thousands of youth in facilities and those on parole.

To learn more about DYS, please visit our website by clicking here.

What You'll Do:

The Department of Youth Services provides stability, support, safety, and security for all employees of DYS. The Youth Specialist [Juvenile Correctional Officer] will provide valuable experience and knowledge to the youth in our care.

DYS is seeking a Youth Specialist [Juvenile Correctional Officer] to oversee facility functions. The ideal candidate will be a strong leader with a solid background and a passion to habilitate youth.

Specifically, the Youth Specialist [Juvenile Correctional Officer] will:

• Provide safety, security, custodial care, & surveillance of assigned youth
• Enforce & follow DYS policies, procedures, rules, and regulations
• Exhibit strong management skills
• Monitor and operate electronic detection equipment
• Manage and maintain security of youth to and from various destinations
• Manage and maintain security and a positive interaction during and after family visits
• Complete all required documents (reports, logs, evaluations etc.)
• Oversee movement on facility grounds and outside trips
• Observe behavior and social interaction of youth
• Intervene and de-escalate youth behavior and conflicts
• Assist in administering drug tests
• Monitor and instruct youth on general housekeeping duties
• Maintain awareness of unusual behavior and crisis situations
• Follow all DYS policies and procedures with youth
• Collaborate and provide information to division leadership
• Possess strong work ethic and dependability

What’s in it for you:

The ability to earn up to $50,000 per year before overtime! [This includes hourly rate, roll call pay, shift differential for 2nd and 3rd shift assignments]. The first salary increase will be after 6 months!

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

Medical Coverage

• Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered beginning the first of the month after hire.

Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance

• Dental, vision and basic life insurance premiums are free after one year of continuous service.

Work/Life Balance

• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth/Adoption leave
• Caregiver leave

Union Education Trust Funds

Eligible employees have up to a total of $6,250 per fiscal year. However, this is divided into three major programs:

• CIP (Career Improvement Program): $4,000
• CAT (Computer Application Training): $750
• PE (Professional Enhancement Program): $1,500

Free Community College!

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

• OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of their salary towards their retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee’s salary. Visit the OPERS website for more information.

Deferred Compensation

• The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.

The State of Ohio is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin (ancestry), military status, disability, age (40 years or older), genetic information, sexual orientation, or caregiver status in making employment-related decisions about an individual.

The Ohio Department of Youth Services is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, and employment opportunities following the Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable laws.

High school diploma or G.E.D.; valid driver's license; must successfully complete Juvenile Correctional Officer assessment. Must be 21 years of age at time of application.

Knowledge of safety, security & surveillance measures for detention of juvenile offenders*; agency policies & procedures governing custody operations in juvenile correctional facility*. Skill in operation of motor vehicle; equipment operation (e.g., personal computer, radios, keys, belts, personal protection devices, telephone)*. Ability to add, subtract, multiply & divide whole numbers; read, write & comprehend simple sentences with basic, concrete vocabulary; prepare meaningful, accurate & concise reports; complete routine forms & maintain accurate records; arrange items in numerical or alphabetical order; develop good rapport with juveniles; deal with problems involving several variables in familiar context to determine specific action; respond to emergencies across juvenile correctional facility grounds; demonstrate strength to subdue aggressive youth by using approved restraining techniques until assistance arrives or youth regain control; demonstrate dexterity to search living units (e.g. upper & lower bunks, ceiling lights, under furniture) to locate contraband; demonstrate physical fitness to use short bursts of muscle force to propel oneself (as in jumping or sprinting), or throw an object (e.g., responding to man down; defending oneself from aggressive youth; avoiding thrown objects); exert maximum muscle force to lift, push, pull, or carry objects up to 150 lbs. (e.g., mail bags, cloth lockers, injured youth & restraining of aggressive youth) from one location to another following security procedures.

The final candidate selected for this position will be required to undergo a criminal background check as well as other investigative reviews. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.