Juvenile Justice Officer I/Trainee-Piedmont/Western

Nichols College; Dudley; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A state juvenile services agency is hiring Juvenile Justice Officer Trainees in Dudley, England. This role requires close supervision of juveniles in a secure environment, with comprehensive paid training and state benefits. Applicants must be at least 20 years old and possess a High School Diploma or GED. The position allows for annual salary increases based on experience and offers a sign-on bonus of $3,000.

Benefits

Paid training

State benefits

Sign-on bonus

Qualifications

• Must be at least 20 years old.
• High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• Physical capability to perform restraints.

Responsibilities

• Monitor and supervise juveniles in youth centers.
• Maintain a secure and safe environment.
• Complete daily documentation of activities and incidents.

Skills

Communication skills

Ability to work under pressure

Teamwork

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Recruitment began on August 7, 2025

and the job listing Expires on February 7, 2026

Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention is now hiring Juvenile Justice Officer TRAINEES—no college degree required. If you’re at least 20 years old and have a high school diploma or GED, this is your opportunity to start a rewarding career in public service, with paid training, state benefits, and a clear path for advancement.

This posting covers multiple facilities in the Piedmont & Western Region including: Rockingham Youth Development Center, Richmond Juvenile Detention Center, Cabarrus Youth Development Center, Cabarrus Juvenile Detention Center and Alexander Juvenile Detention Center. *Note: Some facilities in this region may not have an opening at the time of your application.

Shift work is required for these positions. Weekend and holiday shifts required.

Candidates for these positions are eligible to receive a shift premium (10%) when assigned to either 2nd or 3rd shift.

Now Offering Sign-On Bonus of $3,000.00!

(Please Note: To be eligible for a sign-on bonus, the candidate must not have worked as a probationary, permanent, or time-limited employee in the last 12 months as an employee in North Carolina state government subject to the State Human Resources Act.)

This job classification also qualifies for the employee Referral Bonus program.

If you were referred to this job posting by a current DPS employee, and you are hired, that employee could qualify for a referral bonus.

Daily responsibilities include, but are not limited to, duties such as: housekeeping, physical and mechanical restraint of juveniles, medication administration and recreational activities.

Positions directly monitor and supervise juveniles in both Youth Development Centers and Youth Detention Centers. Juveniles are supervised while housed, at school, and all daily activities. The work is subject to close personal and physical contact with juveniles. Safety and security duties include: maintaining a secure environment, routinely monitoring and observing juveniles, maintaining compliance with cleanliness and sanitation standards. Positions provide feedback to the treatment team on juveniles. Daily records are completed to include: documenting safety violations and security breaches, activity briefing for shift personnel, crisis intervention events, behavioral problems/issues, and youth progress updates.

*This is NOT an office position; this is a direct care position where you will be providing direct supervision and engagement at a Youth Development Center or Juvenile Detention Center with close proximity to court-ordered youth.

Juvenile Justice Officer I’s (Youth Counselor Technicians) enjoy annual salary increases with a step pay plan! Your initial salary is based on your total months of related education and experience above the minimum requirements (Associate’s degree or total of 24 months or equivalent combination of education and experience). Please list all work experience in order for you to receive maximum credit. This will help determine the correct salary and step for potential candidates. Candidates will only receive credit for experience documented on the state application. Once hired, your pay will continue to increase as you gain more related experience up to step 6 and you may also qualify for other promotional opportunities. There are many opportunities for promotional advancement within Juvenile Justice!

The State of North Carolina provides work/life balance, a team-oriented culture, opportunities for advancement, and interesting work. If you are looking to serve others, this is the place for you.

If you are interested in becoming a Youth Counselor Technician but do not yet meet the Education and Experience Requirements, consider becoming a Youth Counselor Technician Trainee! The trainee position only requires a High School Diploma/ GED or equivalent and 20 years of age. Applications for BOTH Youth Counselor Technician and Youth Counselor Technician Trainee positions will be accepted within this posting.

As a Youth Counselor Technician Trainee, work will include:

• Directly monitoring and supervising juveniles while housed, at school, and throughout all daily activities in youth development and youth detention centers.
• Working closely and having personal and physical contact with juveniles.
• Monitoring juveniles, maintaining a secure environment, and ensuring compliance with sanitation standards.
• Completing records daily to include documenting safety violations and security breaches, activity briefing for shift personnel, crisis intervention events, behavioral problems/issues, and youth progress updates.
• Providing feedback to the treatment team on juveniles.

Trainee appointments include participating in a 6 to 24-month training progression, in which trainees are assigned to a progressive career development program under supervision which is designed to ensure trainees develop an overall understanding of their role and its impact over time.

Once fully qualified, trainees will be eligible for continued professional development, in-service trainings and workshops, and a salary increase. It is expected that Youth Counselor Technician Trainees that perform successfully during their Trainee appointment will be moved into a permanent position as a Youth Counselor Technician.

Work Schedule:

This is a full-time position. Day shifts are 7AM to 7PM with rotating every other weekend off. Night shifts are 7PM to 7AM rotating every other weekend off.

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits , including paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid holidays, retirement, and health insurance. To view an example of total compensation, please click here NC OSHR: Total Compensation Calculator About the Division of Juvenile Justice:

The Mission of Juvenile Justice is to reduce and prevent juvenile delinquency by effectively intervening, educating and treating youth in order to strengthen families and increase public safety. The Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is committed to the reduction and prevention of juvenile delinquency by effectively intervening, educating and treating youth in order to strengthen families and increase public safety. If you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of North Carolina’s youth, we welcome you to be part of the team.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

DPS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.

The Minimum Education and Experience (E&E) are REQUIRED to qualify for this position. All work history and education (including accurate dates of employment/attendance) must be documented on the application. Supplemental Questions are also a required part of the application: answers must reference education or work experience listed on the application. A complete, all-inclusive application maximizes an applicant’s potential to qualify for the position, as well as the highest possible salary. Salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

Management Preference: These skills are not required but managers may choose to interview/select applicants who demonstrate Management Preferences.

Ability to communicate effectively speaking and in writing.

Please note: You must be physically capable of applying the proper methods and procedures to physically restrain juveniles and defend self after being properly training by the department. The physical demands for this position will be discussed during the interview.

Youth Counselor Technician Trainee applicants do NOT need to meet Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required to qualify.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details.

Associate degree from an appropriately accredited institution; Or High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and two years of related human services experience; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.