DCS OFFICER - 11042026-82519

State of Tennessee; Somerville (TN); On-site; USD 36,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Tennessee, Department of Children's Services, seeks an entry-level transportation officer in Somerville, Tennessee. The role involves safely transporting youth, enforcing behavior expectations, and conducting vehicle searches as needed.

Position requires a high school diploma, US citizenship, and the ability to pass background checks and drug screening. State benefits and a stable full-time schedule are provided.

Qualifications

• Education equivalent to graduation for a standard high school.
• Experience equivalent to one year working with children and youth.
• Must meet special qualifications as stated.

Responsibilities

• Transport youth safely in state-owned vehicles to court, medical, or other locations.
• Explain behaviors expectations and correct issues as they arise.
• Perform searches of youth and vehicles to detect contraband.
• Inspect vehicles for safety features and maintenance needs.
• Complete transportation reports and maintain logs monthly.

Skills

Time Management

Critical Thinking

Judgment and Decision Making

Written Comprehension

Deductive Reasoning

Reaction Time

Education

High School Diploma

Job description

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 11/04/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Job Information

State of Tennessee Job Information

Opening Date/Time 11/04/2026 12:00AM Central Time

Closing Date/Time 11/10/2026 11:59PM Central Time

Salary (Monthly) $3,261.00 - $4,900.00

Salary (Annually) $39,132.00 - $58,800.00

Job Type Full-Time

City, State Location Somerville, TN

Department Children's Services

LOCATION OF (7) POSITION(S) TO BE FILLED: DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN'S SERVICES, FAYETTE COUNTY

This position requires a criminal background check. Therefore, you may be required to provide information about your criminal history in order to be considered for this position.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

Education equivalent to graduation for a standard high school and experience equivalent to one year working with children and youth.

Necessary Special Qualifications

Applicants for this class must:

• Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age on the date of application;
• Be a citizen of the United States;
• Possess a valid driver¿s license prior to and during employment;
• Have a good moral character, as determined by investigation;
• Complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority;
• Have no conviction for a felony;
• Agree to release all records involving their criminal history to the appointing authority;
• Supply a fingerprint sample in a manner prescribed by the TBI for a fingerprint based criminal history records check;
• Submit to and pass a pre-employment screening test for use of illegal drugs.

Overview

This classification has a considerable workload functioning at the working level performing children's services youth transportation and related work. An employee in this class serves as a transportation officer responsible for transporting youth safely and securely. Additional responsibilities may include addressing inappropriate youth behaviors, searching youth and state-owned vehicles, ensuring the functionality of state-owned vehicles, completing transportation reports, and more. An employee in this class must be able to work independently with minimal supervision on assigned tasks.

Responsibilities

• Transports youth safely and securely in a state-owned vehicle to various locations (i.e., court, medical, etc.) and may be responsible for transporting youth statewide or out-of-state by vehicle or commercial aircraft. Uses mechanical restraints (Delinquent Youth Only) during transport and may require driving a secure vehicle.
• Explains to youth appropriate behavior expectations and ensures compliance. Encounters and corrects inappropriate youth behaviors that may involve aggression, trauma, self-harm, unruliness, runaway, etc.
• Performs searches on youth and state-owned vehicles under prescribed techniques/procedures prior to and after any transport to detect contraband or other potentially harmful items. Provides constant supervision of youth unless directed otherwise.
• Inspects assigned state-owned vehicle to ensure the signals, lights, seatbelts, and other safety features function according to state law and takes assigned state-owned vehicles to designated mechanic/service provider for cleaning and maintenance. Inspects car seats, booster seats, and safety seats to ensure they are clean, operational and within service life.
• Completes all required documentation such as transportation reports for all transports. Maintains mileage and maintenance logs according to procedure. Submits required monthly documentation to include mileage and transportation reports.

Competencies (KSA's)

Competencies

• Decision Quality
• Plans and Aligns
• Manages Conflict
• Communicates Effectively
• Situational Adaptability

Knowledge

• Transportation
• Law and Government
• Customer and Personal Service

Skills

• Time Management
• Critical Thinking
• Judgment and Decision Making

Abilities

• Written Comprehension
• Deductive Reasoning
• Reaction Time

Tools & Equipment

• Automobile
• Mobile Phone
• Computer/Laptop
• Electronic Monitoring Bracelet