Operational Support Sergeant - MEDC

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is seeking an Operational Support Sergeant to coordinate key security functions and ensure safe facility operations. The role includes guiding key and tool control, inspections, emergency preparedness, and supervising youth movement within the facility.

You will support rehab-focused mission by maintaining accountability, professionalism, and a positive youth development environment, under Administrative Captain supervision.

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma.
• Knowledge of state laws/institutional rules for youth control.
• Interpersonal skills, patience and communication abilities.
• Ability to manage youth with maturity and discipline.
• Ability to maintain working relationships with staff, families and public.

Responsibilities

• Oversees facility key control and tool control programs ensuring accountability and policy compliance.
• Maintains inventories, conducts audits, investigates discrepancies, and implements corrective actions.
• Plans and conducts facility inspections, searches and contraband interdiction to keep youth, staff and visitors safe.
• Develops and evaluates emergency drills and preparedness activities (fire drills, medical emergencies, etc.).
• Ensures staff are prepared to respond effectively during emergencies.
• Plans, supervises, and facilitates movement of youth within and outside the facility.
• Provides support for staffing shortages, special security operations, investigations and other assignments.
• Performs other duties to support the agency’s mission and values.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal & non-verbal communication

Good judgment/initiative

Youth relationship building

Team supervision

Driver's license

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice (preferred)

Tools

State vehicle operation

Job description

Job Responsibilities

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 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 the supervision of the Administrative Captain, the Operational Support Sergeant coordinates key security functions to ensure safe, secure, and efficient facility operations. This role includes overseeing key and tool control, conducting inspections and searches, supporting emergency preparedness, and assisting with movement and special operations. The position also supports the agency’s rehabilitative mission by maintaining a structured, safe environment that promotes accountability, professionalism, and positive youth development.

Job Responsibilities

• Oversees facility key control and tool control programs to ensure accountability, security, and compliance with agency policies and procedures.
• Maintains inventories, conducts audits, investigates discrepancies, and implements corrective actions when necessary.
• Plans, coordinates, and conducts facility inspections, shake-downs, searches, and contraband interdiction activities to identify security vulnerabilities and maintains a safe and secure environment for youth, staff, and visitors.
• Develops, facilitates, and evaluates emergency drills and preparedness activities, including fire drills, escape drills, disturbance response exercises, medical emergencies, and other contingency operations.
• Ensures staff are prepared to respond effectively during emergencies.
• Plans, supervises, and facilitates the safe and secure movement of youth within and outside the facility.
• Provides supplemental support to facility operations by assisting with staffing shortages, special security operations, investigations, critical incidents, facility projects, and other assignments.
• Performs other job‑related duties and tasks as assigned by the supervisor to further support the agency’s mission and values.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

STATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma.

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.

Additional Requirements

• Knowledge of state laws/institutional rules/regulations/requirements for the control of youth/Child Abuse Statutes.
• Knowledge of purpose/methods/practices of secure facilities.
• Knowledge of various methods of instructing/handling/supervising youth in various activities.
• Interpersonal skills, patience and both verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
• 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 establish/maintain satisfactory working relationships with fellow employees/families/general public.
• Ability to maintain a valid state driver's license, and ability to operate a state vehicle.
• Ability to follow a daily schedule, be accountable to the facility processes, document events and activities, and supervise multiple youths effectively.
• 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. Training applicable to these duties will be provided.

Preferred Qualifications

PREFERRED AGENCY REQUIREMENTS:

• A bachelor's degree in criminal justice or related 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 18 months of experience in correctional, security, military, or police work. Must attend, pass and maintain all required DJJ training courses.

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