JUVENILE JUSTICE SPECIALIST 5-SHIFT COMMANDER

State of Louisiana; Columbia (LA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Parental Leave

Holidays and Leave

Insurance Coverage

Job summary

The Office of Juvenile Justice in Columbia, Louisiana is seeking a Juvenile Justice Specialist 5 - Shift Commander to lead secure-care operations, supervise youth and staff, and ensure safety and orderly movement within the facility.

Responsibilities include supervising movement, conducting security rounds, managing daily operations, and supporting audits and staff development. Requires 18+ and relevant experience; PREA compliance is emphasized.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED, or one year of experience in any field plus:
• Three years of experience in a residential, correctional, behavioral health, or group home setting with responsibility for rehabilitation of delinquent youth, clinical care, custody, or security; OR
• Three years of experience in Probation and Parole.

Responsibilities

• Supervise youth and staff movement to maintain safety, security, and proper control of doors, gates, and facility access points.
• Conduct security rounds of buildings, grounds, and fences in accordance with OJJ and facility procedures.
• Oversee daily operations including meals, education, recreation, pill call, and medical/mental-health movement.
• Prepare and review shift documentation including reports, packets, and unusual-occurrence summaries.
• Participate in ACA and PbS audits and assist with policy, SOP, and safety-program development.

Job description

About This Job

The Office of Juvenile Justice is seeking a dependable and experienced Juvenile Justice Specialist 5 - Shift Commander to provide leadership, oversight, and safety management within a secure-care facility. This role is ideal for a professional who excels in supervision, critical decision-making, and maintaining structured, safe operations for youth and staff.

Office of Juvenile Justice

Swanson Center for Youth-Columbia

132 LA-850, Columbia, LA 71418 - https://ojj.la.gov/location/swanson-center-for-youth-columbia

As a Shift Commander, you'll guide daily movement and security practices, support policy and safety initiatives, and ensure consistent documentation and communication across the shift. You'll also participate in audits, assist with staff development, oversee emergency responses, and help maintain compliance with facility and agency standards. This position plays a key role in supporting staff performance, coordinating operational needs, and ensuring a safe, orderly environment throughout the facility.

If you're reliable, calm under pressure, and committed to strong leadership and accountability, this role offers a meaningful opportunity to support OJJ's mission and lead secure-care operations effectively.

Minimum Qualifications

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

• Three 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
• Three 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.

Job Duties and Other Information

• Supervise youth and staff movement to maintain safety, security, and proper control of doors, gates, and facility access points.
• Conduct security rounds of buildings, grounds, and fences in accordance with OJJ and facility procedures.
• Oversee daily operations including meals, education, recreation, pill call, and medical/mental-health movement.
• Prepare and review shift documentation including reports, packets, and unusual-occurrence summaries.
• Participate in ACA and PbS audits and assist with policy, SOP, and safety-program development.
• Serve as training and safety coordinator by supporting staff training, safety initiatives, and hazard-abatement tracking.
• Respond to emergencies and conduct searches of youth, staff, property, and living areas to prevent contraband.
• Manage time and attendance and complete CPM planning, evaluations, and staff development activities.
• Provide supervisory guidance through counseling, consultative sessions, and coordination with facility leadership.
• Support facility operations by remaining on 24-hour call, covering duties in the absence of senior leadership, and performing other assigned tasks.

Position-Specific Details

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

Compensation Information

The Juvenile Justice Specialist 5 title has a Special Entrance Rate of $1,971.20 biweekly.

Appointment Type: Full time, probation

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).

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.

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

• 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