Education Sergeant - MEDC

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and life insurance

15 days annual leave (vacation)

15 days sick leave per year

13 paid holidays

State retirement plans and deferred-cc

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Discount Programs

Job summary

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice seeks an Education Sergeant to oversee security operations in education buildings, ensuring a safe, structured learning environment. You will supervise security staff, coordinate youth movement, and maintain accountability during instructional hours.

The role supports both security and rehabilitative goals, requires compliance with CLEE and a valid driver’s license, and includes comprehensive agency benefits and training opportunities.

Qualifications

• Interpersonal skills and effective communication with youth and staff.
• Strong judgment, initiative and professional conduct.
• Ability to supervise security staff and coordinate youth movement.

Responsibilities

• Monitors school operations to address safety concerns and maintain a secure environment.
• Direct supervision of education buildings and security staff to ensure safe, structured learning.
• Directs and monitors security staff coverage and safety procedures.
• Plans and supervises movement of youth within education buildings and maintains accountability.
• Tracks attendance and logs in accordance with agency standards.
• Performs other duties to support DJJ mission.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Non-verbal communication

Leadership

Judgment and initiative

Education

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice

Job description

Job Responsibilities

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

Under the supervision of the Administrative Captain, the Education Sergeant oversees security operations within the education buildings to ensure a safe, structured, and orderly learning environment. This position supervises assigned school security staff, coordinates youth movement, and maintains accountability of all youth during instructional hours. The Education Sergeant supports both security and rehabilitative goals by promoting a safe educational setting, ensuring consistent attendance tracking, and fostering an environment conducive to learning, positive behavior, and youth development.

Job Responsibilities

• Monitors school operations to identify and address safety concerns, responds to incidents as needed and ensures a secure environment that supports both education and rehabilitation.
• Provides direct supervision of the education buildings, ensures assigned security staff effectively maintains a safe, structured, and orderly learning environment.
• Directs and monitors school security staff, ensures proper coverage, adherence to policies, and consistent implementation of safety and security procedures.
• Plans, coordinates, and supervises the safe and efficient movement of youth within the education buildings, ensures accountability, and minimizes disruptions.
• Tracks daily school attendance, maintains accurate accountability of youth, and ensures all movement and assignment logs are completed in accordance with agency standards.
• Performs other job-related duties and tasks as assigned by the supervisor to further support the agency’s mission and values.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

STATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma.

Special Requirement

Must be an officer in compliance with and certified under CLEE (Continuing Law Enforcement Education) within six (6) months of employment. Must have an 80% rate on competency/proficiency exam and possess supervisor and teaching skills.

Additional Requirements

• Knowledge of state laws/institutional rules/regulations/requirements for the control of youth/Child Abuse Statutes.
• Knowledge of purpose/methods/practices of secure facilities.
• Knowledge of various methods of instructing/handling/supervising youth in various activities.
• Interpersonal skills, patience and both verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• Ability to exercise good judgment/initiative in a variety of situations.
• Ability to build healthy relationships with youth and effectively communicate with them in order to promote respect and trust with them and manage challenging behaviors in a mature and professional way and in accordance with training.
• Ability to establish/maintain satisfactory working relationships with fellow employees/families/general public.
• Ability to maintain a valid state driver's license, and ability to operate a state vehicle.
• Ability to follow a daily schedule, be accountable to the facility processes, document events and activities, and supervise multiple youths effectively.
• This position performs job duties relating to the custody, control, transportation, or recapture of youth within the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice. 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

PREFERRED AGENCY REQUIREMENTS:

• A bachelor's degree in criminal justice or related accompanied with experience supervising, mentoring and interacting with at-risk youth.
• Must be 21 years of age with a valid driver's license and a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must also have 18 months of experience in correctional, security, military, or police work.
• Must attend, pass and maintain all required DJJ training courses.

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

You will be asked to provide a certified transcript if selected for a position requiring a degree. 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.