Community Specialist - Pickens County

State of South Carolina; Cherokee Forest (SC); On-site; USD 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Employee Assistance Program

Health insurance

15 days annual leave

15 days sick leave

13 paid holidays

State retirement plans

Discount programs

Job summary

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice seeks an entry level case management specialist to coordinate services for youth referred to DJJ, including assessment, planning, and advocacy. You will interview youth and families, monitor court-order compliance, and develop needs-based plans, while maintaining documentation and supporting restorative justice within the justice system.

Requires a bachelor's degree in social science, knowledge of juvenile law, strong communication, and

Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in social science or its equivalent.
• Knowledge of federal/state laws and regulations pertaining to juvenile offenders and the juvenile justice system.
• Ability to organize and maintain a case load.
• Excellent oral and written communication.
• Proficiency in Microsoft and other MS applications.
• Willingness to travel overnight and within the state.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary case manager for youth referred to DJJ.
• Interview youth and families to assess functioning, strengths and needs.
• Monitor compliance with court orders.
• Develop a comprehensive supervision and case management plan.
• Advocate for youth and families to access needed services.
• Promote restorative justice and prepare related reports.
• Maintain JJMS data and required documentation.

Skills

Case management

Interviewing

Assessment

Advocacy

Communication

Organization

Education

Bachelor's degree in social science or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

JJMS data entry

Job description

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of South Carolina's youth, consider joining the dedicated people of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).

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.

JOB PURPOSE

Entry level specialist position that provides case management coordination services to include assessment, interviewing, planning, monitoring, advocacy, direct supervision, and intervention of youth referred to the Department of Juvenile Justice.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Serves as the primary case manager for youth referred to DJJ through diversion, intake, probation, or parole supervision.
• Interviews juveniles, family members and any service providers servicing the youth to assess juveniles’ level of functioning, strengths, and needs.
• Monitors juvenile for compliance with court orders.
• Provides alternatives to incarceration through the use of graduated responses and STAP.
• Serves as on-call agent on rotation.
• Provide a comprehensive plan of supervision for the assigned youth to include diversion, intake, probation, or parole.
• Develops a comprehensive needs-based case management plan.
• Advocates on behalf of youth and families to ensure appropriate, timely and consistent services.
• Conducts assessments for services and living arrangements for youth re-entry to the community.
• Maintains case file to include JJMS data entry and uploading documents.
• Promotes restorative justice practices to address the repair of harm/compensation to victims and communities.
• Prepares reports, forms, and participates in various meetings.
• Participates in job related training and workshops for professional development.
• Conducts other duties as assigned, required, or requested.

STATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• A bachelor's degree in social science or its equivalent.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Knowledge of federal/state laws and regulations pertaining to juvenile offenders and the juvenile justice system.
• Knowledge of the objective, techniques, and practices of juvenile justice intake/probation functions.
• Knowledge of fact-gathering methods and interviewing techniques.
• Ability to develop, enhance and work with community collaborative initiatives.
• Ability to organize and maintain a case load.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to facilitate and broker services for juveniles, their families, and victims.
• Ability to utilize a wide range of graduated responses.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft and other MS applications.
• This position performs job duties relating to the custody, control, transportation, or recapture of youth within the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice, and the employee may have direct and indirect contact with youth within the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice. Training applicable to these duties will be provided.
• Some overnight travel for training as needed.
• Must be able to drive and travel throughout the state.
• Must be able to physically lift up to 25 lbs.

PREFERRED AGENCY REQUIREMENTS

• A bachelor's degree in social science or its equivalent.
• Experience in strength-based case management, work with community-based programs, intake, probation, parole, intensive case management, criminal justice, or equivalent related experience.

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health, dental, and life insurance
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days of sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• State retirement plans and deferred compensation programs
• Discount Programs such as TicketatWork and WeSave

A background investigation will be conducted that may include but is not limited to, criminal records, driver's license, and child abuse registry prior to an offer of employment. Additionally, a medical examination and drug testing may be required. Please provide an explanation for any gaps in employment.

Sign-On Bonus: Agencies may give sign-on bonuses to individuals recruited to critical needs jobs at the beginning of their employment with the agency. Bonuses cannot be offered or given to employees moving from other agencies by transfer, promotion or demotion. Sign-on bonuses are limited to one per employee, per year.