Director of Youth in Transition

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and life insurance

15 days annual leave

15 days sick leave

13 paid holidays

State retirement plans

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Discount programs

Job summary

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice seeks a Youth in Transition Director in Columbia to lead Graduate and Work Programs within secure facilities, guiding graduates toward community reintegration and workforce readiness.

You will supervise staff, develop transition programming, build partnerships with education providers and employers, monitor performance, ensure compliance, and uphold the agency's rehabilitative mission.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and experience in student services programs.
• Knowledge of evidence-based interventions and de-escalation techniques for working with at-risk youth.
• Experience in youth correctional or secure residential settings.
• Ability to lead groups and develop training materials or instructional modules.
• Ability to plan, lead, and facilitate meetings and structured work sessions.
• Ability to work effectively with challenging or resistant youth.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Skill in planning, managing, and evaluating programs and services.
• Work is conducted in a secure, structured correctional setting and requires compliance with safety, security, and institutional protocols.

Responsibilities

• Directs and oversees the implementation, coordination, and daily operations of the Graduate Program and Youth Work Program within secure facilities to ensure services are delivered effectively, consistently, and in compliance with agency policies, procedures, and standards.
• Develops, manages, and evaluates transition-focused programming that prepares graduate youth for successful community reintegration through workforce development, vocational training, job readiness, career exploration, life skills development, and educational advancement opportunities.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative partnerships with internal departments, educational providers, workforce development agencies, employers, community organizations, and service providers to expand employment, training, certification, and reentry opportunities for graduate youth.
• Monitors program performance, operational outcomes, youth participation, and compliance through data collection, reporting, facility reviews, and quality assurance activities; identifies trends and implements corrective actions and continuous improvement strategies as needed.
• Supervises and provides leadership, guidance, coaching, and support to assigned staff responsible for transition and graduate services, ensuring staff are properly trained, program expectations are implemented with fidelity, and youth-centered practices align with the agency’s rehabilitative mission.
• Performs additional duties as directed by the supervisor to support division priorities, emergency needs, special projects, or evolving operational requirements within Security and Operations.

Skills

Leadership

Program management

Communication

Staff development

Collaboration

Training materials development

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

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

The Youth in Transition Director is responsible for leading, coordinating, monitoring, and overseeing program services related for youth who are classified as graduates at secure facilities. This position provides managerial and operational oversight of the Graduate Program and the Work Program to ensure services are delivered effectively and in alignment with departmental goals, policies, and standards. The Director of Youth in Transition plays a key role in connecting graduate youth to advanced skill‑building opportunities, job readiness programs, and career pathways.

Job Responsibilities

• Directs and oversees the implementation, coordination, and daily operations of the Graduate Program and Youth Work Program within secure facilities to ensure services are delivered effectively, consistently, and in compliance with agency policies, procedures, and standards.
• Develops, manages, and evaluates transition‑focused programming that prepares graduate youth for successful community reintegration through workforce development, vocational training, job readiness, career exploration, life skills development, and educational advancement opportunities.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative partnerships with internal departments, educational providers, workforce development agencies, employers, community organizations, and service providers to expand employment, training, certification, and reentry opportunities for graduate youth.
• Monitors program performance, operational outcomes, youth participation, and compliance through data collection, reporting, facility reviews, and quality assurance activities; identifies trends and implements corrective actions and continuous improvement strategies as needed.
• Supervises and provides leadership, guidance, coaching, and support to assigned staff responsible for transition and graduate services, ensuring staff are properly trained, program expectations are implemented with fidelity, and youth‑centered practices align with the agency’s rehabilitative mission.
• Performs additional duties as directed by the supervisor to support division priorities, emergency needs, special projects, or evolving operational requirements within Security and Operations.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

• A bachelor's degree and experience in student services programs.
• Knowledge of evidence‑based interventions, behavior management strategies, and de‑escalation techniques for working with at‑risk youth.
• Basic knowledge of and experience working in youth correctional or secure residential settings.
• Ability to lead groups and develop training materials or instructional modules.
• Ability to plan, lead, and facilitate meetings and structured work sessions.
• Ability to work effectively with challenging or resistant youth.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate professionally with staff from multiple disciplines and with community partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Skill in planning, managing, and evaluating programs and services.
• Work is conducted in a secure, structured correctional setting and requires compliance with all safety, security, and institutional protocols at all times.
• Position requires the ability to remain alert and responsive in dynamic environments that may involve behavioral or emotional youth interactions.
• Requires the ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time as program and operational needs require.
• Position may involve exposure to heightened noise levels, controlled movement patterns, and environmental constraints typical of secure facilities.
• May require flexibility in schedule, including occasional evenings or special events tied to graduations or program milestones.
• Travel is currently limited but will become increasingly necessary as the program expands and is implemented across secure facilities. In addition, travel may be required for training, conferences, and partnership meetings.
• Must be able to lift 50lbs.
• Position requires the ability to use standard office equipment (computer, phone, copier) in addition to instructional and training materials.
• This position performs 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in Education, Criminal Justice, Social Work, Human Services, Public Administration, or a closely related field.
• Three (3) to five (5) years of experience working with correctional education programs, or workforce development initiatives.
• Experience coordinating education, transition, reentry, or job readiness programs.
• At least one (1) year of supervisory or program management experience.

Additional Comments

• 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

Equal Opportunity and Compliance Statements

I understand that the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice is an equal opportunity employer. DJJ does not discriminate in hiring, promotions, discharge, pay, fringe benefits, job training, classification, referral, or other employment aspects based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, or national origin. Any acts you feel are in violation, please get in touch with the Office of Human Resources, 220 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC [phone].

I understand that the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice's School District also does not discriminate in any programs or activities based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age. The following offices have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the school district's nondiscrimination policies: Title IX - Inspector General's Office - 220 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC 29210-5427 - Ph: 803-896-9595; Special Education Office, 220 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC I have read and fully understand DJJ's position concerning the law.

I understand that SCDJJ will not hire or promote anyone who may have contact with residents and shall not enlist the services of any contractor who may have contact with residents who have engaged in sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility juvenile facility, or other institution (as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1997); has been convicted of engaging in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; or has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described above.

I understand that my fingerprint record received from the FBI and SLED must indicate no felony convictions as a condition of employment.

I certify that I have not been convicted of any criminal offenses that carries a sentence of 1 year or more or any criminal offenses that involves moral turpitude (an act contrary to the accepted rule of right and duty to man and society). Forfeiture of bond, a guilty plea, or plea of nolo contendere is considered the equivalent of a conviction.

Benefits for State Employees

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note: The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time‑limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.