Intake Officer - MEDC

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice

Columbia (SC)

On-site

USD 43,000 - 52,000

Full time

2 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and life insurance

15 days vacation

13 paid holidays

Job summary

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice is seeking an Intake Officer for the Midlands Evaluation and Development Center (MEDC). This role focuses on secure, lawful intake of youth, proper documentation, and coordination with courts, law enforcement, medical staff, and facility personnel to support placement decisions.

Open to all experience levels, the position includes a comprehensive training program in de-escalation, crisis intervention, and safety procedures, with a starting salary

Qualifications

A high school diploma or equivalent.
Must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver's license.
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 and safety procedures.

Responsibilities

Facilitate the admission, transfer, and release of youth entering or exiting the secure facility.
Verify legal documentation, complete intake and release processing, conduct required screenings and searches, and ensure all procedures are completed accurately and in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
Maintains centralized oversight of facility operations by documenting and tracking all youth movement, formal head counts, recreation periods, housing assignments, admissions, releases, and other significant facility activities.
Coordinates movement throughout the facility to ensure safety, security, and accountability.
Answers telephones and radio communications and ensures information is communicated to appropriate staff.
Monitors security cameras, alarms, radio traffic, and facility activity to identify safety and security concerns.
Notifies appropriate staff of emergency situations, coordinates response efforts, and maintains situational awareness to support facility security and operations.
Maintains accurate, confidential, and timely records related to intake activities, youth information, property inventories, medications, funds, movement logs, security checks, and operational events.
Ensures all items are properly documented, secured, and accounted for in accordance with agency procedures.
Provides overall administrative and operational support to facility management by directing traffic flow, preparing and completing required operations paperwork, coordinating communications, supporting security operations, and assisting with special assignments.
Perform other job-related duties and tasks as assigned by the supervisor to further support the agency’s mission and values.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal and non-verbal communication

Judgment and initiative

Youth handling/supervision

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

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

Midlands Evaluation and Development Center (MEDC): The agency’s long-term commitment facility, as well as provides court-ordered evaluations for adjudicated juveniles before final case disposition.

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 MEDC 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

Facilitate the admission, transfer, and release of youth entering or exiting the secure facility.

Verify legal documentation, complete intake and release processing, conduct required screenings and searches, and ensure all procedures are completed accurately and in accordance with agency policies and procedures.

Maintains centralized oversight of facility operations by documenting and tracking all youth movement, formal head counts, recreation periods, housing assignments, admissions, releases, and other significant facility activities.

Coordinates movement throughout the facility to ensure safety, security, and accountability.

Answers telephones and radio communications and ensures information is communicated to appropriate staff.

Monitors security cameras, alarms, radio traffic, and facility activity to identify safety and security concerns.

Notifies appropriate staff of emergency situations, coordinates response efforts, and maintains situational awareness to support facility security and operations.

Maintains accurate, confidential, and timely records related to intake activities, youth information, property inventories, medications, funds, movement logs, security checks, and operational events.

Ensures all items are properly documented, secured, and accounted for in accordance with agency procedures.

Provides overall administrative and operational support to facility management by directing traffic flow, preparing and completing required operations paperwork, coordinating communications, supporting security operations, and assisting with special assignments.

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, 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 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.