JUVENILE JUSTICE SPECIALIST 4-GROUP LEADER

State of Louisiana; Columbia (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental leave

Paid holidays

Sick and annual leave

Retirement benefits

Job summary

The Office of Juvenile Justice, a part of the State of Louisiana, is seeking a Juvenile Justice Specialist 4 – Group Leader at the Columbia Center for Youth in Columbia, LA. This role leads youth, supports treatment programming, and maintains security in a structured, mission-driven setting.

You will supervise unit staff, coordinate schedules, complete documentation, and participate in treatment team meetings to tailor care plans.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Two years of experience in a residential, correctional, behavioral health, or group home setting with responsibility for rehabilitation, clinical care, custody, or security; OR two years in Probation and Parole.

Responsibilities

• Supervises youth and supports treatment, overseeing youth in assigned areas and contributing to a therapeutic environment.
• Participates in treatment programming, attends treatment team meetings, provides behavioral observations, assists with group activities.
• Maintains security and safety through building and perimeter checks, monitors youth movement, enforces contraband-control policies, responds to emergencies.
• Provides crisis intervention during disturbances while following policy and maintaining calm.
• Supervises and schedules staff, approves leave, ensures coverage, and conducts annual Planning & Rating Sessions.
• Completes documentation and prepares required reports per regulations.
• Engages in professional development and performs additional duties as assigned.

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

About This Job

Office of Juvenile Justice

Columbia Center for Youth

132 LA-850, Columbia, LA 71418

https://ojj.la.gov/location/columbia-center-for-youth

The Office of Juvenile Justice is seeking a dedicated and confident Juvenile Justice Specialist 4 – Group Leader to support youth development and maintain safety within a secure-care environment. This role is ideal for someone who leads by example, communicates with clarity, and thrives in a structured, mission-driven setting.

As a Group Leader, you’ll supervise youth, support therapeutic programming, and help create an environment that promotes positive behavior and emotional growth. You’ll conduct security checks, monitor movement, respond to crises, and ensure daily operations run smoothly and safely. You’ll also supervise unit staff, manage schedules, complete documentation, and participate in treatment team meetings to support individualized care.

If you’re steady under pressure, committed to youth rehabilitation, and ready to take on a leadership role that makes a meaningful impact, this position offers a rewarding opportunity to support OJJ’s mission and help shape positive outcomes for youth.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of a high school diploma or GED or one year of experience in any field plus:

• Two years of experience in a residential, correctional, behavioral health, or group home setting with responsibility for one or more of the following: rehabilitation of delinquent youth, clinical care, custody, or security; OR
• Two years of experience in Probation and Parole.

Necessary Special Requirements

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

An applicant who has been convicted of a felony or who is under indictment on a felony charge will be disqualified until relief from disabilities imposed by state and federal laws is granted.

In accordance with the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) (Part 115:17) of Title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations an applicant who has been found to have engaged in any form of sexual abuse; engaged in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable or refused will be disqualified.

Position-Specific Details

Work Location

This vacancy is located at the Columbia Center for Youth in Columbia, Louisiana.

Appointment Type

Full-time, probational

Compensation

The Juvenile Justice Specialist 4 title has a Special Entrance Rate of $1,842.40 biweekly.

NOTE

The incumbent of this position must not have been convicted or pled nolo contendere to a crime listed in R.S. 15:587.1 (c)

Job Duties

Job Duties and Other Information

• Supervises youth and supports treatment — Oversees youth in assigned areas, models communication and problem-solving skills, and contributes to a therapeutic environment.
• Participates in treatment programming — Attends treatment team meetings, provides behavioral observations, and assists clinical staff with group and therapeutic activities.
• Maintains security and safety — Conducts building and perimeter checks, monitors youth movement, enforces contraband-control policies, and responds to emergencies.
• Provides crisis intervention — Intervenes during disturbances or high-risk situations while maintaining calm, control, and adherence to policy.
• Supervises and schedules staff — Oversees subordinate unit staff, approves leave, ensures coverage, and conducts annual Planning & Rating Sessions.
• Completes documentation and reports — Prepares required reports and maintains accurate records per agency and facility regulations.
• Engages in professional development — Participates in educational programs and performs additional duties as assigned.

Insurance Coverage

More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/

Parental Leave

Up to six weeks paid parental leave

Holidays and Leave

State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:

• New Year's Day
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
• Mardi Gras,
• Good Friday,
• Memorial Day,
• Independence Day,
• Labor Day,
• Veteran's Day,
• Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
• Additional holidays may be proclaimed by the Governor

State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.

Retirement

State Of Louisiana Employees Are Eligible To Participate In Various Retirement Systems (based On The Type Of Appointment And Agency For Which An Employee Works). These Retirement Systems Provide Retirement Allowances And Other Benefits For State Officers And Employees And Their Beneficiaries. State Retirement Systems May Include (but Are Not Limited To):

• Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
• Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),
• Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others

The Office of Juvenile Justice is a State as a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports improved employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. For more information on employment-related resources available for those with disabilities, refer to the Louisiana Employment Resource Guide.

If you are contacted for an interview, please let us know at that time if you will need special accommodations.

NOTE: Prior to an appointment, the selected applicant must take and pass a drug screening test, possess a valid Louisiana Driver's License, and clear a background check.

Louisiana State Government represents a wide variety of career options and offers an outstanding opportunity to make a difference through public service. With an array of career opportunities in every major metropolitan center and in many rural areas, state employment provides an outstanding option to begin or continue your career.

As a State Employee, You Will Earn Competitive Pay, Choose From a Variety Of Benefits, And Have Access To a Great Professional Development Program:

For Further Information About This Vacancy, Contact:

Garilyn London

OJJ/ Human Resources

[e-mail]