Correctional Officer II - BRRC/JDC/MEC

Juvenile Justice; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 43,000 - 51,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice as a Juvenile Correctional Officer and make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth. This role involves maintaining safety and security in facilities, providing care, and supporting rehabilitation efforts. Comprehensive training is provided to equip you with necessary skills. Open to all experience levels.

Benefits

Bonus Incentives

Qualifications

• Ability to understand state laws and institutional rules regarding youth control.
• Strong interpersonal skills and effective communication abilities.

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety and security of youth through supervision and compliance with policies.
• Interact with youth to support their rehabilitation and well-being.
• Conduct headcounts and maintain accurate logs.

Skills

Communication

Crisis Intervention

De-escalation

Judgment

Education

High School Diploma or Equivalent

Job description

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Join the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice as a Juvenile Correctional Officer!

Are you ready for an exciting, rewarding career where you can make a real difference in the lives of at-risk youth? Join the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (SCDJJ) and help transform young lives while building a stronger, safer community.

NEW STARTING SALARY: $43,806

We are hiring

Juvenile Correctional Officers (JCOs) to maintain safety and security at our Midlands Region Facilities:

• Juvenile Detention Center (JDC): A centralized pre-trial detention facility serving juveniles from most of South Carolina's 46 counties.
• Broad River Road Complex (BRRC): The agency's long-term commitment facility.
• Midlands Evaluation Center (MEC): Provides court-ordered evaluations for adjudicated juveniles before final case disposition.

Our Mission

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (SCDJJ)'s mission is to impact and transform young lives, strengthen families, and support safer communities through targeted prevention and rehabilitation.

Open to ALL experience levels.

Our comprehensive training program equips new officers with skills in communication, de-escalation, crisis intervention, defensive tactics, first aid, report writing, and more. You'll learn from experienced trainers who prepare you for a meaningful career in corrections and law enforcement.

Is this career right for me?

Our JCOs come from diverse backgrounds with varying experience levels but share a passion for service, strong communication skills, and a desire to positively impact youth. Successful candidates thrive in team environments, value their community, and demonstrate sound judgment in fast-paced situations.

Bonus Incentives

Our way of rewarding YOU for your commitment!

Job Purpose

Under the supervision of your facility's leadership, the Juvenile Correctional Officer (JCO) ensures a safe, secure, and supportive environment for at-risk youth. This role is essential to maintaining orderly facility operations, safeguarding the well-being of youth and staff, and fostering positive decision-making. By contributing to a rehabilitative culture grounded in positive youth development, the JCO plays a vital role in the agency's mission to provide safe and effective opportunities for youth rehabilitation and personal growth.

Job Responsibilities

• Diligently ensures compliance with Juvenile Correctional Officer continuous certification requirements.
• Interact with youth throughout the day to ensure their safety, security, rehabilitation, and overall well-being. Maintain frequent, meaningful communication to support their progress.
• Perform assigned duties to provide care, meet basic needs, and ensure the security of all youth under supervision.
• Conduct headcounts regularly, maintain accurate logs, and complete all required reports to document daily activities and incidents.
• Respond promptly and appropriately to emergencies, following agency protocols and procedures.
• Perform routine and unannounced security checks and frisk searches as required by policy.
• Serve on various facility posts, including specialized units, to ensure comprehensive coverage and operational efficiency.
• Counsel youth to prevent incidents and redirect inappropriate behavior. Enforce the behavior management system consistently and effectively.
• Address disruptions and emergencies using verbal and physical de-escalation techniques per agency policy.
• Communicate observations and interactions with educational, social work, mental health, and medical staff. Actively participate in unit team meetings to support youth rehabilitation plans.
• Supervise youth during transportation and movement to ensure participation in required treatment, education, recreation, vocational training, visitation, and other activities.
• Ensure youth receive proper medical care as needed, adhering to agency policies and procedures.
• Submit work order requests to supervisors and maintain a clean, safe environment for youth and staff.
• Comply with agency policies to complete detailed reports on incidents, safety concerns, and operational matters.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisors to further the agency's mission and uphold its core values.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

State Minimum Requirements

• A high school diploma or equivalent.
• The candidate must be a U.S. Citizen and at least 21 years old.
• The candidate must have a valid driver's license and attend, pass, and maintain all required SCDJJ training courses and certification requirements.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to understand and apply state laws, institutional rules, regulations, and requirements related to youth control, including Child Abuse Statutes.
• Ability to grasp the purpose, methods, and practices of secure facilities to ensure safety and security.
• Ability to learn and implement various techniques for instructing, handling, and supervising youth across a variety of activities.
• Strong interpersonal skills, patience, professionalism, and effective verbal and non-verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and initiative in a wide range of situations.
• Ability to build and maintain positive relationships with youth, effectively communicating with them to foster respect and trust while managing challenging behaviors in a professional manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain constructive working relationships with coworkers, families, and the general public.
• Ability to ensure safety and security by following policies, procedures, and training.
• Ability to adhere to daily schedules, manage facility processes, document events and activities accurately, and supervise multiple youth effectively.
• Ability to maintain a valid state driver's license and operate a state vehicle safely.

Special and Additional Requirements

Certification and Training: Must obtain certification in Continuing Education and other relevant training as required.