DJS RESIDENT ADVISOR TRAINEE (Garrett & Allegany Counties Only)

State of Maryland; Maryland; On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

State of Maryland Benefits

Job summary

The State of Maryland’s Department of Juvenile Services is seeking entry-level Resident Advisor Trainees at designated locations. You will supervise youth, assist with daily life skills, and guide them toward positive behaviors. Shifts may include evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.

The role emphasizes safety, mentorship, and adherence to custody guidelines while supporting youth education and well-being within DJS facilities.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
• Experience: None.
• Note: The educational requirement is set by the Maryland Correctional Training Commission and Code.
• Preferred: Employment experience within the past 18 months; Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice or related field.

Responsibilities

• Learns to escort groups of youth to and from daily activities and supervise their conduct.
• Learns to observe individual and group behaviors and determine when intervention is needed.
• Lears to intervene in situations involving agitated youth to prevent fights and de-escalate behavior.
• Lears to promote an environment conducive to learning and mentor resident youth.
• Learns to monitor behavior and assist with daily/weekly schedules (classes, homework, hygiene).
• Learns to record behavior observations and prepare reports; may recommend sanctions.
• Lears to inspect residence areas for safety, security and cleanliness.
• Attends in-service training on topics such as crisis prevention and emergency treatment.
• Learns to assess emergencies and provide interim medical assistance until help arrives.
• May work night shifts in cottages/dormitories; may accompany youth to community service.
• Performs other related duties.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice or related field

Job description

Introduction

GRADE

ASTD11

LOCATION OF POSITION

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recruitment is exclusively for the following DJS locations:

• Garrett County
  Backbone Mountain Youth Center (BMYC)
  124 Camp 4 Road
  Swanton, MD 21561
• Allegany County
  Green Ridge Youth Center (GRYC)
  10700 Fifteen Mile Creek Road
  Flintstone, MD 21530

Main Purpose of Job

Join Us in Making a Difference at DJS!
The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) is dedicated to transforming young lives, creating safer communities, and fostering equitable systems. We are seeking passionate individuals for the role of DJS Resident Advisor Trainee. So come join our team and make a meaningful impact on youth and the community at DJS!
The DJS Resident Advisor Trainee position is the entry level of work responsible for providing supervision and guidance to the youth residing in a facility that is operated by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services. The DJS Resident Advisor Trainee ensures supervision and guidance of the youth by observing, interacting and assisting them with everyday life skills and advising them of appropriate alternative behaviors. The position is assigned a regular shift but may be required to work other shifts, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays as required by staffing needs. The incumbent may be subject to call-in based on staffing needs.

POSITION DUTIES

• Learns to escort groups of youth to and from daily activities at the facility and to supervise their conduct during movement and daily activities;
• Learns to observe individual and group behaviors and to determine when intervention or guidance is needed by the youth under his/her care;
• Learns to intervene in situations involving agitated or overwrought youth to prevent fights and to de-escalate potentially harmful behaviors,
• Learns to suggest alternative ways of reacting to problems, and may be required to physically restrain youth;
• Learns to promote an environment conducive to learning helpful alternative behaviors by encouraging communication among youth and staff, guiding and critiquing group discussions, offering advice at appropriate junctures and serving as a mentor and role model for resident youth;
• Learns to monitor the behavior of youth and assist them in complying with daily and weekly schedules of attending classes, completing school assignments, sleeping, eating and performing personal hygiene tasks;
• Learns to record behavior observations, prepare progress and incident reports on assigned youth for review by supervisors, and recommend behavioral sanctions;
• Learns to inspect residence areas for safety, security and cleanliness;
• Learns to assess inappropriate behaviors and recommend behavioral sanctions to supervisors;
• Attends in-service training on topics, such as crisis prevention, suicide prevention, emergency medical treatments, and behavioral modification models to maintain knowledge of childcare needs, counseling methods and trends in the juvenile justice field and to obtain and maintain certification;
• Learns to assess emergency and crisis situations, make appropriate contacts and referrals, and provide interim emergency medical and other assistance until specialized assistance is available;
• May be assigned to a cottage or dormitory post at night;
• May accompany youth to community service activities outside the facility;
• Performs other related duties.

When assigned to the Youth Centers:

• Learns to function as a member of the treatment team for individual youth and provide input and information to the DJS Case Management Specialist for inclusion in monthly progress reviews;
• Learns to implement, help to evaluate and recommend modifications to youth treatment plans;
• Learns to facilitate daily behavioral modification meetings in the absence of the DJS Case Management Specialist.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
• Experience: None.
• Note: The above educational requirement is set by the Maryland Correctional Training Commission in accordance with the Correctional Services Article, Section 8-209, Annotated Code of Maryland.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Employment experience within the past 18 months
• Associate’s Degree in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Social or Behavioral Sciences)

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

• Employees in this classification must complete and successfully pass the Entrance Level Correctional Training Course for DJS staff required for the Maryland Correctional Training Commission certificate during the probationary period.
• Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. In accordance with the Correctional Services Article, Section 8-209 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Maryland Correctional Training Commission shall establish the minimum qualifications for probationary or permanent appointment of a Department of Juvenile Services employee in a mandated position. These requirements are listed in detail in the Code of Maryland Regulations 12.10.01.04, general regulations of the Maryland Correctional Training Commission, and include:

• U.S. Citizenship or Resident Alien status
• Must be at least 21 years of age
• A thorough background check, including fingerprinting and drug testing
• An oral interview, and
• Physical and psychological examinations.

2. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09.03, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

DJS equal-opportunity statements

DJS is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in the workplace. Specifically, we value diverse experiences regarding the educational background and justice system contact.

DJS values the experience gained by Veterans while serving our country. Veterans are welcome to apply for all current recruitments.

Bilingual applicants and people with disabilities are welcome to apply for all recruitments.

Candidates with lived experience relating to the criminal/juvenile legal system are encouraged to apply.

We welcome experienced professionals transitioning from federal service to explore rewarding career opportunities.