Operational Support Sergeant - MEDC

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Health, dental, and life insurance

Paid vacation and sick leave

Paid holidays

State retirement plans and 401(k)

Discount programs

Job summary

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice seeks an Operational Support Sergeant to coordinate security functions, oversee key and tool control, inspections, searches, and emergency preparedness, while supporting rehabilitation and a safe environment for youth, staff and visitors.

Responsibilities include supervising movement of youth, conducting audits, facilitating drills, and assisting with staff coverage and special operations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• CLEE certification within six months of employment.
• Knowledge of state laws and youth confinement rules.
• Ability to drive and operate a state vehicle.

Responsibilities

• Oversees facility key control and tool control programs.
• Maintains inventories, conducts audits, and resolves discrepancies.
• Plans and conducts facility inspections, searches, and contraband interdiction.
• Develops and evaluates emergency drills and preparedness activities.
• Plans, supervises, and facilitates movement of youth within/outside the facility.
• Provides supplemental support to staffing, investigations, and special operations.
• Performs other duties to support DJJ mission.

Skills

Key control & tool control

Emergency preparedness

Youth supervision

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Judgment & initiative

Driver's license

State vehicle operation

Legal/regulatory knowledge

Audit & investigations

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice

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 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 maintain 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

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.

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].

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.