JUVENILE JUSTICE SPECIALIST 4-GROUP LEADER

State of Louisiana; Monroe (LA); On-site; USD 75,000 - 93,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Insurance Coverage

Parental Leave

Holidays and Leave

Job summary

State of Louisiana's Office of Juvenile Justice seeks a Juvenile Justice Specialist 4 – Group Leader for the Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe. The role oversees youth, leads treatment activities, and ensures safety within a secure-care setting.

The position requires strong leadership, crisis management, and collaboration with treatment teams. It offers full-time, probational employment with competitive benefits and state-provided professional development.

Qualifications

• Possession of a high school diploma or GED or one year of experience in any field.
• 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.
• Two years of experience in Probation and Parole.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Leadership

Supervision

Crisis management

Communication

Team coordination

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

About This Job

Office of Juvenile Justice

Swanson Center for Youth-Monroe

4701 S Grand St., Monroe, LA 71202

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

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.
• 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.
• 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.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

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.

Position-Specific Details

Work Location: This vacancy is located at the Swanson Center for Youth in Monroe, Louisiana.

Appointment Type: Full-time, probational

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

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).

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.

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:

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

Parental Leave: Up to six weeks paid parental leave

More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx

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

For Further Information About This Vacancy, Contact:

Garilyn London

OJJ/ Human Resources

[e-mail]

In the supplemental questions section, applicants must authorize the HR Office of Juvenile Justice to contact prior employers to check references under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) to be considered for employment.

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.