ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF YOUTH HOME - 40000771

Durham County Government; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

Durham County Government seeks an Assistant Director of Youth Home to lead the Juvenile Detention Facility’s daily operations, staff supervision, and safety programs. You will ensure compliance with state and county standards, coordinate training, and support Resident services with a focus on quality and accountability.

The role requires strategic planning, strong leadership, and the ability to manage complex operations in a 24/7 setting while collaborating with external agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required with six years of supervisory or management experience in juvenile detention or related fields.
• Knowledge of NC minimum standards for juvenile detention facilities and PREA.
• Experience in staff coaching, performance evaluations, and regulatory reporting.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Director in planning and evaluating Youth Home operations and programs.
• Provide leadership and oversight of facility operations and staffing coverage.
• Supervise and develop staff, addressing performance issues per policies.
• Coordinate 24-hour staffing and ensure safe resident-to-staff ratios.
• Monitor safety, security, and compliance with policies and standards.
• Oversee training, onboarding, and staff development plans.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and prepare reports for management.

Skills

Juvenile justice

Staff supervision

Crisis management

Policy compliance

Budget oversight

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science

Job description

Durham County Government is home to over 2,000 dedicated professionals working together to deliver essential services that strengthen and support our vibrant, diverse community. As the heart of a fast-growing region, we offer meaningful careers across a wide range of fields—giving you the opportunity to make a real impact where you live, work, grow, and play. Learn more at www.dconc.gov.

Department

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF YOUTH HOME

Date Posted

SEPTEMBER 26, 2026

Closing Date

OCTOBER 12, 2026

Hiring Range

$80,243.00 - $108,280.00

Position Number

40000771

Job Type

FULL-TIME, (37.5 HOURS, EXEMPT)

• This posting is subject to close without prior notification.**

General Description

The purpose of this position is to perform difficult professional, administrative, and managerial work assisting the Director of Youth Home with the administration and operation of the County Juvenile Detention Facility. The position provides leadership and oversight for daily facility operations, personnel management, resident safety and security, staff scheduling and training, regulatory compliance, resident services, quality assurance, and administrative functions.

This class works under general supervision of the Director of Youth Home with considerable latitude for independent judgment and decision-making in managing daily operations. Serves as a member of the department's management team and assumes responsibility for facility operations in the absence of the Director.

Duties And Responsibilities

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this position. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the position as necessary.

• Assists the Director in planning, organizing, managing, and evaluating the overall operations, programs, services, and administrative functions of the Youth Home.
• Provides leadership and operational oversight of the facility and assumes responsibility for facility operations in the Director's absence.
• Supervises, directs, evaluates, and develops assigned staff; addresses employee concerns and performance issues; provides coaching and counseling; recommends or administers corrective and disciplinary action in accordance with County and departmental policies.
• Coordinates and monitors staffing and work schedules for the 24-hour detention operation to ensure appropriate coverage and required staff-to-resident ratios; reviews leave requests and adjusts staffing assignments to maintain safe and compliant operations.
• Directs and monitors the daily activities of supervisors and detention staff to ensure compliance with established policies, procedures, security requirements, and State and County standards.
• Assists with recruitment, selection, onboarding, orientation, and training of Youth Home employees and participates in developing work plans and performance expectations for new and existing staff.
• Coordinates employee performance management activities, including ongoing performance feedback, performance appraisals, coaching, development plans, and documentation of employee performance and conduct.
• Monitors facility safety and security practices, including resident supervision, security checks, room searches, visitation procedures, staff deployment, facility access, emergency procedures, and other security protocols.
• Reviews facility operations and staff activities to identify safety, security, operational, or compliance concerns and implements or recommends appropriate corrective action.
• Assists in developing, interpreting, implementing, reviewing, and enforcing departmental policies, procedures, operating protocols, and internal controls.
• Monitors compliance with North Carolina minimum standards for juvenile detention facilities and other applicable County, State, and federal requirements, including PREA and Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards requirements.
• Coordinates and monitors required employee training and certification activities, including annual and recurring training such as RCDT, PREA, CPR/First Aid/AED, medication administration, and other required detention or County training.
• Maintains required training documentation and works with State agencies, trainers, and other partners to ensure employees meet applicable certification and continuing training requirements.
• Provides oversight and guidance regarding resident counseling and direct services; works with staff and service providers to ensure treatment plans, behavioral goals, crisis interventions, referrals, and related services are appropriately implemented and documented.
• Coordinates with mental health professionals, medical providers, court counselors, case managers, and other service providers regarding resident needs, treatment, medications, behavioral concerns, and continuity of services.
• Monitors resident grievances and concerns and ensures they are addressed appropriately and within established policies and procedures.
• Reviews and monitors detention records, resident rosters, reports, billing information, census information, and other operational records to ensure accuracy, completeness, confidentiality, and regulatory compliance.
• Assists with departmental strategic and operational planning; develops and monitors performance measures and prepares, analyzes, and maintains departmental performance data and narratives used for management, strategic planning, and budget purposes.
• Assists with monitoring departmental expenditures, supplies, food and kitchen inventory, purchasing activities, contracts, grants, and other administrative and financial activities to support efficient facility operations.
• Coordinates with General Services, Information Services & Technology, contractors, vendors, and other County departments regarding facility systems, equipment, maintenance, technology, and operational needs.
• Participates in management team meetings and assists the Director in evaluating operational issues, developing solutions, implementing organizational changes, and establishing short- and long-term departmental priorities.
• Maintains knowledge of current laws, regulations, standards, and developments affecting juvenile justice and detention operations and communicates relevant changes to supervisors and staff.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with State and local agencies, court officials, law enforcement, mental health and medical providers, educational partners, vendors, community organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Prepares and reviews reports, correspondence, statistical information, operational data, and other documentation required by County management, State agencies, regulatory bodies, and departmental leadership.
• Responds to emergencies, critical incidents, staffing shortages, resident behavioral situations, and other operational issues requiring management-level intervention and exercises sound judgment to protect residents, employees, visitors, and the facility.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of juvenile justice principles, youth development, trauma-informed care, and North Carolina minimum standards governing juvenile detention facilities.
• Knowledge of detention facility operations, including staffing, scheduling, security protocols, facility maintenance, safety procedures, and environmental health requirements.
• Knowledge of policy development, program planning, compliance requirements, and regulatory reporting for secure youth facilities.
• Skill in supervising, directing, evaluating, and developing staff, including performance management, coaching, and disciplinary processes.
• Skill in budget development, financial oversight, purchasing, and inventory control within a public-sector environment.
• Skill in analyzing operational needs, interpreting policies, managing records, and maintaining compliance with legal and regulatory mandates.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively—verbally and in writing—with youth, staff, families, court officials, and community partners.
• Ability to respond calmly and make sound decisions in crisis situations, resolving conflicts and addressing behavioral or operational issues.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal departments, external agencies, and multidisciplinary partners.
• Ability to represent the Youth Home professionally as a liaison or spokesperson, maintaining confidentiality and ensuring a safe, structured, and compliant environment.

Minimum Education And Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Behavioral Science, Criminal Justice, Human Services, Business or Public Administration or related discipline is required.
• Six (6) years of progressively responsible experience in juvenile detention, youth residential services, corrections, human services, or a closely related field, including supervisory or management experience; or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Special Certifications And Licenses Requirements

• Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission Certification.
• Local Confinement Facility Officer State of North Carolina.
• Must possess and maintain a valid state driver’s license with an acceptable driving history.

Physical Demands

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

• Performs light to medium work that involves walking or standing virtually all of the time and also involves exerting between 20 and 50 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or considerable skill, adeptness and speed in the use of the fingers, hands or limbs in tasks involving close tolerances or limits of accuracy.

Unavoidable Hazards (work Environment)

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

• None

May be required to work nights, weekends, holidays and emergencies (man-made or natural) to meet the business needs of Durham County.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of essential functions and responsibilities that are required of an employee for this job. Other duties, responsibilities, and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Essential Safety Functions

It is the responsibility of each employee to comply with established policies, procedures and safe work practices. Each employee must follow safety training and instructions provided by their supervisor. Each employee must also properly wear and maintain all personal protective equipment required for their job. Finally, each employee must immediately report any unsafe work practices or unsafe conditions as well as any on-the-job injury or illnesses.

Every manager/supervisor is responsible for enforcing all safety rules and regulations. In addition, they are responsible for ensuring that a safe work environment is maintained, safe work practices are followed and employees are properly trained.

Americans With Disabilities Act Compliance

Durham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Durham County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.

Background Check Statement

This position may be subject to a background check, which could include, but is not limited to, criminal history (employment-related and/or SBI fingerprint-based), credit history, motor vehicle records, educational verification, and checks of the sexual offender registry, depending on the specific requirements of the role. A conviction record does not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment consideration, unless otherwise required by applicable state law.