Juvenile Detention Center Administrator

Fairfax County Government; Virginia (MN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Fairfax County Government is seeking a high-level administrator to plan, direct, and oversee the operations of the Fairfax Juvenile Detention Center. The role ensures safety, compliance with state and federal standards, and coordination of education and mental health services for residents.

Responsibilities include supervising up to 112 employees, budgeting, training, and on-call coverage, while collaborating with county, state, and education partners to maintain high-quality services for youths

Qualifications

• Master's degree in social/behavioral sciences, law enforcement, or education; plus four years of professional experience in probation work, including supervisory experience.
• Experience supervising staff, evaluating performance, and coordinating training for staff.
• Knowledge of juvenile justice regulations, state standards, and county policies.

Responsibilities

• Direct and oversee all aspects of the Juvenile Detention Center operations and staff supervision.
• Plan schedules, conduct performance evaluations, and ensure adherence to policy and safety standards.
• Coordinate educational and mental health services and budget management; liaise with county and state agencies.
• Ensure compliance with federal/state/local regulations and participate in senior management efforts.
• Lead emergency response planning and on-call coverage; manage contracts and facility maintenance.

Skills

Staff supervision

Budget management

Policy development

Regulatory compliance

Emergency management

Team leadership

Communication

Training & mentoring

Education

Master's degree in social/behavioral sciences, law enforcement, or education

Job description

This position plans, organizes and directs the operations of the Fairfax Juvenile Detention Center. Also administers and implements the policies, procedures and directives established for the detention center to ensure that safety and security is maintained for the protection of residents, staff and the community. Assures compliance with the Department of Juvenile Justice Regulation Governing Juvenile Secure Detention Centers as well as other regulatory requirements such as the Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act, Fairfax County and Court policy and procedure. This position works under the general supervision of the JDRDC Residential Services Division Director.

Oversees the supervision of up to 112 county employees and directly supervises three assistant superintendents and an administrative supervisor; oversees the selection and hiring of all staff; creates an effective training development program for supervisors and line staff; meets regularly with staff in supervision and completes performance evaluations; assigns work schedules for 24/7operation, reviews work of employees and conducts group meetings; plans for after hours on call for emergency issues and coordinates essential employee services during times when county officials declare an emergency.

Oversees and directs the implementation of educational and mental health services for residents. Coordinates with the Fairfax County Public Schools and the State Department of Education for the operations of an alternative school program to provide appropriate educational services to the residents which includes up to 14 educational professionals. Coordinates with CSB personnel to ensure appropriate mental health assessment and management for all youth and where appropriate, that treatment services are in place to meet the needs of the residents. Ensures that the program provides medical services, food services, volunteer services, recreational and behavior management programming that meets the needs of all residents.

Ensures that expenditures are kept within budget allotments as defined by JDRDC Finance and either directly or through designated subordinates’ reviews and approves all purchases. Ensures the maintenance and upkeep of the secure detention facility and coordinates the needs and issues with the Facilities Management Division of county government; arranges for and maintains agreements with other county agencies and oversees contracts for health consultants such as medical doctor, psychiatrist and teen health and sexuality consultant. Informs and educates community groups and other county agencies about the philosophy and operations of the Juvenile Detention Center. Participates as a member of the senior management team for Juvenile Court. Leads and/or participate in Agency and County level workgroups and committees; participates and collaborates within the agency, human services, committees and/or teams for special projects. Represents the Fairfax County JDC at State level meetings, committees and workgroups; attends quarterly statewide Virginia Juvenile Detention Association (VJDA) meetings; and participates in Department of Juvenile Justice workgroups and committees.

This position is considered "essential personnel" and will be required to report to work during times designated countywide as approved for unscheduled leave regardless of the emergency situation (i.e., weather, transportation, other disaster).

• Directs all aspects of the JDC, including staff supervision, security, food services, an alternative school, laundry, medical services, maintenance and facility improvements;
• Assigns work schedules and reviews performance of subordinates;
• Conducts staff conferences and meetings;
• Ensures that program policies and procedures adhere to State standards so that security is maintained for the protection of staff, residents and the community;
• Coordinates operation of an alternate school program with the Fairfax County Public Schools;
• Maintains statistical data and prepares regular reports, as required, for the state and/or County;
• Informs community groups and/or agencies about the philosophy and objectives of the Juvenile Detention Center;
• Plans for administrative staff to be on-call for emergency situations at the JDC;
• Visits the Center at non-traditional hours to ensure compliance with policies and procedures;
• Arranges and maintains agreements for services with other County agencies;
• Oversees contracts for health consultants, such as the facility's physician and the teen health and sexuality consultant;
• Prepares budget estimates of operating expenses, and ensures that expenditures are kept within budget allotments;
• Requests and purchases supplies and equipment in accordance with County purchasing requirements;
• Oversees the maintenance of the facility and equipment inventory.
• Thorough knowledge of the policies and procedures of the juvenile justice system;
• Thorough knowledge of related federal, state and local juvenile and domestic relations laws;
• Knowledge of the Virginia Department of Youth and Family Services Standards;
• Knowledge of the current trends and methods of addressing delinquency and related problems;
• Knowledge of, and the ability to train others in the use of, a variety of restraining devices;
• Ability to plan, direct and evaluate the work of others;
• Ability to recognize problems of both a physical and psychological nature as exhibited by juveniles assigned to the JDC;
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with juveniles, subordinates, and state and County officials;
• Ability to objectively evaluate and improve operating policies and procedures at the JDC;
• Ability to speak and write effectively;
• Ability to plan and direct administrative/facility maintenance tasks for the JDC.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: (Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")

Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a master's degree in social/behavioral sciences, law enforcement, or education; plus, four years of professional experience in probation work, including three years in a supervisory capacity.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED

Valid driver's license (Required at the time of application)

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• This position is considered Emergency Service Personnel to ensure the continuity of essential operations and will be required to report to work during times designated countywide as approved for unscheduled leave regardless of the emergency situation (i.e., weather, transportation, other disaster).
• The appointee to the position will be required to complete the following to the satisfaction of the employer:
  • Criminal Background Investigation
  • Child Protective Services Registry Check
  • Credit Check
  • Sanction Screenings
  • Driving Record Check
  • Pre-employment Medical Evaluation
  • Tuberculosis Test

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum of two years' experience supervising staff to include their performance evaluations, training and mentoring staff.
• At least four years' professional experience working with families and adolescents, preferably in a residential or home-based setting.
• An understanding of Juvenile Justice Reform, the child welfare system, adolescent brain development, and the impact of trauma on families.
• Experience interpreting and successful compliance with State and Federal regulations and completing quality assurance checks.
• Experience doing case management, treatment planning, and using evidenced-based practices such as Motivational Interviewing (MI), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) Expressive Arts Therapy, and trauma-informed interventions.
• Master's degree in counseling, social work or psychology preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Job is generally sedentary in nature, however the position does require walking and standing, visual and auditory acuity is required to read data on computer monitor, incumbent must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment.
• Must communicate with others.
• Employee may be required to lift up to 15 pounds.
• Ability to operate a motor vehicle.
• All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE

Panel interview and may include a practical exercise.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including Spanish, Asian/Pacific Islander, Indo-European, and many others.) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

Fairfax County Government prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. TTY 703-222-7314. [e-mail]. EEO/AA/TTY.

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Requisition 26-01315