Intake Officer - JDC

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 43,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental and life insurance

15 days annual leave

State employee benefits

Job summary

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice is seeking an Intake Officer to manage the secure, lawful admission of youth at the JDC. You will ensure proper intake, documentation, and coordination with courts and staff.

The role emphasizes safety, rights protection, accurate records, and collaboration with law enforcement and medical teams to support appropriate placement and supervision decisions.

Qualifications

• A high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be at least 21 years of age and have a valid driver's license.
• Ability to learn state laws/institutional rules/regulations/requirements for the control of youth/Child Abuse Statutes.
• Ability to learn the purpose/methods/practices of secure facilities.
• Ability to learn various methods of instructing/handling/supervising youth in various activities.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate intake and release processes for youth admitted to and discharged from the secure facility.
• Verify and process intake documentation, court orders, and related paperwork to ensure compliance with agency policy.
• Conduct intake screenings to identify safety, medical, mental health, or special needs concerns; perform authorized youth searches.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of intake activities and youth information.
• Respond to and coordinate radio and phone communications to ensure timely information flow.
• Observe and respond to security concerns in line with policies.
• Provide overall support to facility operations.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Clear communication

Good judgment

Youth supervision

Team collaboration

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Body scanner

Job description

Job Responsibilities

Join the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice as an Intake 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: $47,682

We are hiring Intake Officers to maintain safety and security at our Juvenile Detention Complex (JDC):

• Juvenile Detention Complex (JDC): A centralized pre-trial detention facility serving juveniles from most of South Carolina's 46 counties.

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.

Bonus Incentives

Our way of rewarding YOU for your commitment!

Job Purpose

The JDC Intake Officer is responsible for the secure, lawful, and orderly admission of youth at the assigned facility. This position ensures each youth is properly received, identified, searched, documented, and oriented in accordance with state laws, agency policies, and facility procedures. The Intake Officer plays a critical role in maintaining facility safety, safeguarding youth rights, and ensuring accurate intake records while coordinating with courts, law enforcement, medical staff, and other facility personnel to support appropriate placement and supervision decisions.

Job Responsibilities

• Facilitates the intake and release process for youth admitted to and discharged from the secure facility.
• Ensures all admission, transfer, and release procedures are completed accurately and in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
• Reviews, verifies, and processes intake documentation, court orders, legal records, and related paperwork to ensure compliance with agency policy and procedures.
• Conducts intake screenings to identify immediate safety, security, medical, mental health, or special needs concerns; perform authorized youth searches (including body scanner, pat frisk, and strip searches) in accordance with agency policy; and coordinates referrals to appropriate facility staff and service providers.
• Maintains accurate and confidential records of intake activities, youth information, property inventories, medications, and funds received; ensures all items are properly documented, secured, and accounted for in accordance with agency procedures.
• Responds to and coordinates radio and phone communications, ensuring timely and accurate information flow.
• Effectively observes, reports, and responds to security concerns while adhering to established facility policies and procedures.
• Provides overall support to facility operations.
• Perform 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 or equivalent. Must be at least 21 years of age and have a valid driver's license.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Ability to learn state laws/institutional rules/regulations/requirements for the control of youth/Child Abuse Statutes.
• Ability to learn the purpose/methods/practices of secure facilities.
• Ability to learn various methods of instructing/handling/supervising youth in various activities.
• Interpersonal skills, patient 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 safety and security according to policy and training.
• Ability to follow a daily schedule, be accountable to the facility processes, document events and activities, and supervise multiple youths effectively.

Special & Additional Requirements

• Certification and Training:
  • Must obtain certification in Continuing Law Enforcement Education (CLEE) within 90 days of employment.
  • Must achieve a minimum competency/proficiency exam score of 80% and demonstrate supervisory and teaching skills.
  • Training will include Behavioral Management techniques such as Primary Restraint and Take Down procedures, on the job functions but not limited to handcuffing (hands extended behind back), prone positions (flat on stomach and back), Kicks and Strike Motions, Joint Manipulations, bending at the waist and torque motions. Lifting hands above the head, repeated breathing (inhaling/exhaling) techniques for CPR/First Aid/AED. Kneel on knees (together and individually) unsupported.
• Physical Demands:
  • This position requires mobility and physical capability, including bending, lifting, kneeling (individually or together), and engaging in torque motions.
  • Must respond to emergencies, including physically intervening and restraining youth in accordance with agency policy.
  • Must walk and stand for extended periods, sit in a desk chair for up to eight hours, and visually distinguish subjects up to 75 yards away.
  • Work may occur in extreme heat, cold, humidity, or inclement weather.
• Work Schedule:
  • Required to work day, evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
  • Must be available for mandatory overtime as needed to meet facility demands.
• Environmental and Equipment Requirements:
  • Must maintain a valid state-issued driver’s license and operate a motor vehicle safely.
  • Wear protective equipment during emergencies or as required by agency policy.
• Job Duties Context:
  • Performs tasks related to the custody, control, transportation, or recapture of youth under the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice.
  • Direct and indirect contact with youth is expected.
  • Training relevant to all job duties will be provided.
• Supervision and Evaluation:
  • Operates under the general supervision of a direct supervisor who provides daily and monthly reviews and conducts annual performance evaluations.
  • Works independently on a limited basis while adhering to agency policies and guidelines.

Preferred Qualifications

PREFERRED AGENCY REQUIREMENTS:

Experience supervising, mentoring, or interacting with at-risk youth.

Additional Comments

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• 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 will be required. Please provide an explanation for any gaps in employment. A resume may be attached to your application but not substituted for completing the work history section of the application.

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.