Lieutenant - MEDC

South Carolina DDSN; South Carolina; On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PSLF Program

EAP

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Life insurance

Vacation leave

Sick leave

Holidays

Retirement plans

Discount programs

Job summary

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) seeks a Lieutenant to lead security operations within a juvenile facility. You will supervise security staff, coordinate daily activities, and respond to emergencies while ensuring safety and rehabilitation of youth.

Essential duties include conducting inspections, mentoring staff, maintaining equipment, and preparing accurate reports in alignment with agency policy and state law.

Qualifications

• High school diploma and supervisory experience required.
• Bachelor’s degree in a human services or criminal justice field may substitute for supervisory experience.
• Must complete DJJ training courses and maintain CLEE certification.

Responsibilities

• Engage with youth daily to ensure safety, security, rehabilitation and well-being.
• Communicate effectively with youth and staff throughout shifts.
• Respond physically to emergencies and conduct security inspections.
• Supervise, train, and mentor security staff on the unit.
• Maintain inventory of security equipment and ensure proper reporting.
• Lead shift briefings and coordinate staff coverage as needed.

Skills

Supervisory experience

Security operations

Youth interactions

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor’s degree in Human Services or Criminal Justice

Job description

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 positive youth development framework and a positive facility culture.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Engages with youth throughout the day to ensure the safety, security, rehabilitation and well-being of youth.
• 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 movement.
• 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, 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 to include but not limited to keys, vehicles, security devices, etc.
• Evaluates staff's performance, instructs and counsels staff on required performance standards and when necessary initiates appropriate corrective and/or disciplinary action.
• 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 safety, security and operation of the facility.
• 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 and procedure, along with Federal and State Law.
• Performs other duties and tasks as assigned by a supervisor to further support the agency's mission and values.
• 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 as assigned by a supervisor to further support the agency's mission and values.

Essential Position: Performs work within a secure facility relating to the custody, control and transportation or recapture of youth within the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice. 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. Required to work shift hours (day, evening, night, weekend, &/or holidays) and be subject to mandatory overtime stay as needed by the facility. Training applicable to these duties will be provided and 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. Work in extreme heat/cold/ humidity/inclement weather; safely operate a motor vehicle to include 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, wear protective equipment in case of emergencies. Attend training and maintain certification required by the Continuing Law Enforcement Education (CLEE).

STATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma and supervisory experience in correctional, security or police work. A bachelor's degree in a human services or criminal justice field may substitute for the required supervisory experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Considerable knowledge of state law, secured facility rules, regulation as well as requirements for the control of youth and in compliance with SC Child Abuse Statutes.
• Considerable knowledge of purposed, methods, and operational practices of DJJ facilities. Lead and develop new officers.
• Considerable knowledge of various methods of instructing/handling/supervising youth in various activities.
• Ability to exercise good judgment/initiative in a variety of situations.
• Ability to build healthy relationships with youth and effectively communicate with them in order to promote respect and trust with them and manage challenging behaviors in a mature and professional way 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 driver's license, and ability to operate a state vehicle.

PREFERRED AGENCY REQUIREMENTS:

• A bachelor's degree in human services or criminal justice field accompanied with experience supervising, mentoring and interacting with at-risk youth.
• Must be 21 years of age with a valid driver's license and a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must also have 3 years of experience in correctional, security, military, or police work to include at least 1 year of supervisor experience.
• Must attend, pass, and maintain all required DJJ training courses.

Special Requirement:

Must be an officer in compliance 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.

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

Applications are incomplete if you fail to answer all supplemental questions, education, and work history. Incomplete applications are not referred to hiring managers. Applications are accepted until 5:00 p.m. on the stated closing date.

You will be asked to provide a certified transcript if selected for a position requiring a degree. A background investigation will be conducted that may include but is not limited to, criminal records, driver's license, and child abuse registry prior to an offer of employment. Additionally, a pre-employment drug screening will be required. Medical examinations may also be required depending on the position. Lastly, please provide an explanation for any gaps in employment. A resume may be attached to your application but not substituted for completing the work history section of the application.