Juvenile Detention Supervisor

York-County; Pennsylvania; On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive wage and benefits

Job summary

The York County Juvenile Detention Center seeks a capable supervisor to direct the program and administrative operations, overseeing care for residents and staff. This role ensures compliant, effective service delivery and coordination with the Assistant Director and Director.

Responsibilities include supervising counselors, planning activities, coordinating training, and reporting to courts while maintaining safety and a positive, professional environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 1 year of experience working with children.
• Associates degree (60 credit hours) with 3 years of experience.
• Child abuse and criminal history clearances as required by PA law.
• Ability to plan and direct work of staff.
• Ability to handle crisis behaviors and provide Safe Crisis Management.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to read, write, speak English.

Responsibilities

• Direct and supervise staff across counseling, security, education, and residential care.
• Plan, organize, and direct care and program operations.
• Coordinate in-service programs for counselor development.
• Prepare reports for courts regarding youth.
• Ensure staffing levels meet regulatory requirements and control costs.
• Respond to crisis behaviors and supervise on-call rotations.
• Maintain professional relationships with youth, staff, and public.
• Administer medications in absence of facility nurse.

Skills

Staff supervision

Program planning

Crisis management

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Policy compliance

Education

Bachelor’s degree + 1 year experience

Associate degree or 60 credit hours + 3 years experience

Job description

This supervisory and administrative position is responsible for directing the program of the York County Juvenile Detention Center. An employee in this class is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the care of residents and assisting in the direction and operation of York County Juvenile Detention Center. Supervision is exercised over a staff of lower-level Juvenile Detention Counselors. Work is performed under the general supervision of the Assistant Director and Director and reviewed for overall conformance with standard and policy.

Located in south-central Pennsylvania, York County Government offers many exciting and challenging opportunities to learn and grow in a career while making a difference in the lives of York County residents. Each County department meets a unique need in the community and provides an opportunity for both professional growth and personal satisfaction. York County offers a competitive wage and benefit package.

• Assist in the direction of the overall guidance, care, and development of delinquent youth in the overall program.
• Supervises and assists in the supervision of individual and group counseling, constructive, disciplinary, security, recreational, educational, residential care, psychological services, instruction, training, and related activities.
• Plans, organizes, and directs the care and program and assist the Assistant Director and Director in the operation of the Youth County Juvenile Detention Center.
• Coordinates in-service programs for development of counselors and other personnel.
• Prepares or supervises lower-level Juvenile Detention Counselors in making recommendations or reports for the courts concerning the youth in care.
• Must possess the ability to plan and direct the work of subordinate professional treatment staff and supporting personnel.
• Directs and assist in the direction and research for the improvement and advancement of all programs and activities.
• Administer first level disciplinary measures and assist in follow-up on all disciplinary actions and investigations.
• Manage staffing to meet regulatory requirements while minimizing excessive costs associated with overtime.
• Participates in an on-call rotation during which time this individual must be able to respond to the facility in times of crisis or must cover supervisory shifts for the facility.
• The Juvenile Detention Supervisor must ensure appropriate staffing coverage to meet regulations during crisis situations.
• Planning and supervising the activities of the residents.
• Ensure Juvenile Detention Specialists abide by contract language.
• Respond to crisis behaviors as manifested by emotionally challenged youth and models individualized approach to children as needed.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with youth, staff workers, and public in a professional manner.
• Develop new staff toward positive parental relationships with youth, maintaining appropriate boundaries as defined by facility policy.
• Administer medications as needed in the absence of the facility nurse and applies health, safety, first aid, and personal hygiene practices as needed.
• Must report any arrests, convictions, or infractions of the law to the facility Director.
• Other reasonable duties as assigned by Assistant Director and/or Director.

• Bachelor’s degree and one year of experience working with children or a minimum of an associate degree or 60 credit hours from an accredited college or university and three years of experience working with children is required.
• Must have child abuse and criminal history clearances in accordance with 23 P.A.C.S. §§ 6301-6385 and Chapter 3490.
• Must understand accepted principles and practices of adolescent development and the ability to apply such techniques and theories in practice.
• Must be able to provide Safe Crisis Management (SCM) techniques.
• Must possess the ability and willingness to handle difficult situations that may require physical intervention/control of youths who are violent and aggressive.
• Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.
• Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, public or private agencies personnel, and the public, and must demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills.
• Must pass a physical health examination prior to employment and every 2 years thereafter.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license.
• Must possess the ability to be certified in various training areas and be able to effectively complete trainings with subordinates in compliance with PA BHS requirements.
• Must pass CPR / First Aid & AED certification.
• Must be able to effectively read, write, speak, and understand the English language.

If you have any questions, please contact the county's Department of Human Resources at [e-mail].