Lieutenant

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Health and dental insurance

Paid holidays and leave

Job summary

State of South Carolina DJJ seeks a Lieutenant to support facility operations, safety, and youth rehabilitation under supervision. The role emphasizes active youth engagement, staff leadership, and adherence to policy and law.

Responsibilities include security oversight, emergency response, staff mentoring, and coordination of shift coverage, ensuring a secure environment for youth and staff alike.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required; bachelor\'s degree may substitute for experience.
• 21+ with valid driver\'s license and high school diploma or equivalent.
• 3 years experience in correctional, security, military, or police work; 1 year supervisory experience.
• Must attend and complete DJJ training; CLEE certification within 6 months.
• Demonstrated leadership, judgment, and ability to train staff.

Responsibilities

• Engages with youth to ensure safety, security, rehabilitation, and well-being.
• Maintains frequent and clear communication with youth during the day.
• Responds physically to emergencies and security incidents.
• Conducts routine and unannounced security inspections and frisk searches.
• Keeps inventory of security equipment and state property.
• Supervises and mentors security staff to ensure safety and performance.

Skills

Leadership

Security leadership

Staff management

Emergency response

Communication

Policy compliance

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree preferred

Job description

Job Responsibilities

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of South Carolina's youth, consider joining the dedicated people of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).

Mission

It is the mission of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to impact and transform young lives, strengthen families, and support safer communities through targeted prevention and rehabilitation.

Job Purpose

Under limited supervision of the Captain, the Lieutenant assists in the strategic planning and implementation of facility operational procedures while maintaining compliance with agency policy and procedures along Federal and State Law. This position is assigned to specific posts to ensure orderly facility operations and the safety and well-being of all youth and staff. This position plays an essential role, and the responsibilities directly impact the youth and the ability of the agency to provide safe and secure rehabilitative opportunities for youth. This position's purpose is to contribute positively to the youth's overall rehabilitative process through a positive youth development framework and a positive facility culture.

Job Duties

• Engages with youth throughout the day to ensure their safety, security, rehabilitation, and well-being.
• Ensures frequent and helpful communication with youth throughout the day.
• Physically respond appropriately to emergency situations.
• Conducts routine and unannounced security inspections per agency policy.
• Conducts routine and unannounced frisk searches of the youth after all youth movements.
• Ensures that each youth has their basic needs met.
• Remains knowledgeable and informed of the security status of all youth assigned.
• Supervises, manages, leads, trains, and mentors all Security Staff assigned to the unit in a secure environment in the performance of duties to ensure the safety and security of all staff, youth, and state property.
• Monitors living units to ensure compliance with safety, security, sanitation, and maintenance regulations.
• Assists in maintaining the shift schedule and coordinates staff coverage when necessary.
• Supervises/attends daily shift briefings periodically to ensure proper communication/ teamwork for all staff on shifts at a specific facility.
• Maintains inventory of all security equipment, including but not limited to keys, vehicles, security devices, etc.
• Evaluates staff's performance, instructs and counsels staff on required performance standards, and initiates appropriate corrective and/or disciplinary action when necessary.
• Mediates disputes between youth and JCOs.
• Complies with agency policy and procedure to complete required reports concerning youth and/or employee-related incidents and any matters pertaining to the facility's safety, security, and operation.
• Ensures all reports are accurate and submitted to the appropriate person at the end of the shift.
• Ensures all subordinate staff complies with agency policy, procedure, and Federal and State Law.
• Performs other security-related duties when required.
• Serves as a member of the On-Call management team and responds to the needs of the facility.
• Performs other duties and tasks assigned by a supervisor to support the agency's mission and values further.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

STATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: A high school diploma and relevant experience. A bachelor's degree in a related field may substitute for the required experience.

Agency Requirements: Must be 21 years of age with a valid's driver's license and a high school diploma or equivalent. Must also have 3 years of experience in correctional, security, military, or police work, including at least 1 year of supervisor experience. Must attend, pass, and maintain all required DJJ training courses. Must be an officer compliant with and certified under CLEE (Continuing Law Enforcement Education) within six (6) months of employment. Must have an 80% rate on competency/proficiency exam and possess supervisor and teaching skills.

• Considerable knowledge of state law, secured facility rules, regulations, requirements for the control of youth, and compliance with SC Child Abuse Statutes.
• Considerable knowledge of purposes, methods, and operational practices of DJJ facilities.
• Considerable knowledge of various methods of instructing/handling/supervising youth in various activities.
• Ability to lead and develop new officers.
• Ability to exercise good judgment/initiative in a variety of situations.
• Ability to build healthy relationships with youth and effectively communicate with them to promote respect and trust and manage challenging behaviors maturely and professionally and in accordance with training.
• Ability to complete required reports to include daily ERS Reports.
• Ability to establish working relationships with employees.
• Ability to maintain a valid state's driver's license and ability to operate a state vehicle.
• The position is not sedentary; employees must be mobile and able to bend and lift, interact, and intervene with youth when applicable.
• Must be able to respond physically to emergency situations, including physically intervening and/or restraining youth according to agency policy.
• Must be able to work in extreme heat/cold/ humidity/inclement weather; safely operate a motor vehicle, including having a valid state-issued driver's license.
• Walk and/or stand for extended periods of time, sit in a desk chair for up to eight hours per day at least 5-7 days per week, visually distinguish subjects at distances of up to 75 yards, and wear protective equipment in case of emergencies.
• Required to work shift hours (day, evening, night, weekend, &/or holidays) and be subject to mandatory overtime stay as needed by the facility.

Must attend training and maintain certification required by the Continuing Law Enforcement Education (CLEE). Training applicable to these duties will be provided. It will consist of physically and successfully completing the agency's selected Behavioral Management training which includes the Primary Restraint and Take Down techniques and on-the-job functions but not limited to: Handcuffing (hands extended behind back), prone positions (flat on stomach and/or back), Kicks and Strike Motions, Joint Manipulations, bending at the waist and torque motions. Lifting hands above the head, repeated breathing (inhaling/exhaling) techniques for CPR/First Aid/AED. Kneel on knees (together and individually) unsupported.

This position performs job duties relating to the custody, control, transportation, or recapture of youth within the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice. The employee may have direct and indirect contact with youth within the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice.

Preferred Qualifications

A bachelor's degree in human services or criminal justice field accompanied with experience supervising, mentoring, and interacting with at-risk youth. A bachelor's degree in a human services or criminal justice field may substitute for the required supervisory experience.

Additional Comments

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health, dental, and life insurance
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days of sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• State retirement plans and deferred compensation programs
• Discount Programs such as TicketatWork and WeSave

Benefits For State Employees

The state of South Carolina offers eligible employees generous benefits, including health and dental insurance; retirement and savings plan options; and paid vacation and sick leave. Plus, work-life balance programs such as telecommuting and flexible work schedules are available to employees of some state agencies.

Insurance Benefits

Eligible employees may enroll in health insurance, which includes prescription coverage and wellness benefits. Other available insurance benefits include dental, vision, term life insurance, long term disability and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.

Retirement Benefits

State employees are also offered retirement plan options, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans. Additionally, eligible employees may elect to participate in the South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program, which is a voluntary, supplemental retirement savings plan offering 401(k) and 457 plan options.

Workplace Benefits

State employees may also be eligible for other benefits, including tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; and discounts on purchases, travel and more.

Note

The benefits above are available to most state employees, with the exception of those in temporary positions. Employees in temporary grant and time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some or none of these benefits as benefits are associated with each position type. For these positions, contact the hiring agency to determine what benefits may be available.

Equal Opportunity Statement

I understand that the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice is an equal opportunity employer. DJJ does not discriminate in hiring, promotions, discharge, pay, fringe benefits, job training, classification, referral, or other employment aspects based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, or national origin. Any acts you feel are in violation, please get in touch with the Office of Human Resources, 220 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC [phone].

School District Non-Discrimination Statement

I understand that the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice's School District also does not discriminate in any programs or activities based on race, color, national origin, sex, disability, or age. The following offices have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the school district's nondiscrimination policies: Title IX - Inspector General's Office - 220 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC 29210-5427 - Ph: 803-896-9595; Special Education Office, 220 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC I have read and fully understand DJJ's position concerning the law.

Contractor Non-Discrimination Statement

I understand that SCDJJ will not hire or promote anyone who may have contact with residents and shall not enlist the services of any contractor who may have contact with residents who have engaged in sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility juvenile facility, or other institution (as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1997); has been convicted of engaging 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 to consent or refuse; or has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described above.

Fingerprint Clearance Statement

I understand that my fingerprint record received from the FBI and SLED must indicate no felony convictions as a condition of employment.

Criminal Convictions Statement

I certify that I have not been convicted of any criminal offenses that carries a sentence of 1 year or more or any criminal offenses that involves moral turpitude (an act contrary to the accepted rule of right and duty to man and society). Forfeiture of bond, a guilty plea, or plea of nolo contendere is considered the equivalent of a conviction.