Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist II, Shift Supervisor, Mariposa

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A state government agency is seeking a Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist II in Boston to oversee youth behavior and ensure safety within facilities. Responsibilities include monitoring staff and youth, managing behavior, and documenting incidents. The ideal candidate will possess strong communication skills, crisis management ability, and a high school diploma. This position requires working a standard week with mandatory overtime and may involve physical restraint. Equal opportunity for all applicants.

Qualifications

• Ability to understand and apply laws and regulations in youth services.
• Knowledge of Positive Youth Development (PYD) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
• Capacity to interact calmly in stressful situations and with diverse populations.

Responsibilities

• Observe and manage the conduct of youth in the facility.
• Supervise and monitor JJYDS I staff.
• Conduct intake and maintain documentation related to youth behavior and incidents.

Skills

Supervisory ability

Crisis management

Effective communication

Behavior management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

The Department of Youth Services (DYS) seeks a Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist II (JJYDS II) to support the Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist I located at Mariposa, 425 Harvard Street, Dorchester, MA 02124. The incumbent will work with juvenile justice‑involved young people ages 12–20, primarily 14–18, in DYS residential facilities.

Responsibilities

• Observe the conduct and behavior of youth confined to the facility and take appropriate action to prevent disturbances and/or escapes, ensuring compliance with established policies and the safety of staff and youth; provide one‑to‑one watch, including suicide, elevated and medical watch.
• Maintain custodial care and control of youth to uphold order and security within the facility; conduct periodic rounds, head counts, security checks, and searches of youth and visitors.
• Supervise and monitor the deployment of up to six (6) JJYDS I staff by checking duty stations and ensuring task completion.
• Assist the Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist III in their absence and assume responsibilities for the operation of the assigned shift.
• Conduct intake of youth and complete appropriate documentation; document behavioral issues, incident reports, and daily operation logs.
• Maintain resident, program, department, and related documentation, improving current systems and procedures.
• Provide crisis and behavior management to youth, facilitate group meetings, and advocate for youth needs to support re‑entry.
• Deliver leadership through role modeling and reinforcement of positive practices; participate in staff meetings and training sessions.
• Orient new staff and coach staff with techniques for group interactions and emergency situations, including physical restraint practices.

Required Qualifications

• Ability to understand, explain, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing assigned unit activities.
• Knowledge of factors, trends, and challenges in providing secure residential and rehabilitative care to youth, including Positive Youth Development (PYD) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
• Demonstrated supervisory ability, including planning and assigning work based on capabilities and resources.
• Proficient in gathering information through examination of records, questioning, and observation.
• Capacity to interact with people under physical and/or emotional stress and maintain a calm manner in stressful and emergency situations.
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to give oral and written instructions precisely and understandably.

Experience in establishing rapport with persons from different ethnic, cultural, and/or socio‑economic backgrounds and dealing tactfully with others.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with youth in residential care, treatment, counseling, and/or rehabilitation of juveniles and/or adult offenders.
• Proven ability to interact with youth in a supportive, safe, and encouraging way.
• Demonstrated program measurement, reporting, and evaluation skills.
• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Word, Outlook, and Excel.

Special Requirements

• Minimum Age Requirement: 21 years.
• Applicants must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be able to perform the physical requirement of the job, including properly restraining or subduing youth with handcuffs or other restraint techniques.
• Able to talk and/or hear, stand, walk, run, kneel, climb stairs, and lift, carry, push, or pull up to 55 pounds with or without assistance or equipment.
• Based on assignment, incumbents may need a valid motor vehicle driver’s license at a class level specific to assignment.
• Upon hire, incumbents must complete and maintain valid certification in crisis intervention, suicide prevention, CPR, AED, and first aid.

Working Conditions

• Incumbents may be exposed to verbal and/or physical confrontations and potentially dangerous environments.
• Incumbents may be required to physically restrain youth.
• Incumbents typically work a standard work week (five 8‑hour shifts); may be required to work extended hours, nights, holidays, or weekends.
• Incumbents may be required to travel in‑state and, based on assignment, out‑of‑state.

Shift

1:00 PM – 11:00 PM with Thursday, Friday, and Saturday off. Employees will be required to perform mandatory overtime.

Equal Opportunity

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

ADA Reasonable Accommodation

If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact the EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests.