Sergeant - MEDC

South Carolina DDSN

South Carolina

On-site

USD 42,000 - 60,000

Full time

6 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Health, dental, and life insurance

15 days annual (vacation) leave

13 paid holidays

State retirement plans

WeSave discount programs

Job summary

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) seeks a Sergeant to mentor Juvenile Correctional Officers, contribute to a safe and rehabilitative environment for youth, and lead shift operations across facility posts. You will train staff, perform routine security duties, and respond to emergencies while upholding agency policies.

The role emphasizes supervisory leadership, collaboration with teams, and commitment to youth development and safety within the facility.

Qualifications

High school diploma required.
Must be an officer with CLEE within 6 months of employment.
80% competency/proficiency on exam and possess supervision/teaching skills.
Knowledge of state youth laws and institutional rules/regulations.
Ability to supervise youth and staff with good judgment.

Responsibilities

Engages with youth to ensure safety, security, rehabilitation, and well-being.
Mentor for new security staff and provide reporting/daily logs support.
Responds physically to emergencies and conducts security inspections.
Supervises shift operations and coordinates staff coverage.
Provides training and guidance to staff in duties and duties compliance.
Intervenes in crises, mediates disputes, and ensures policy adherence.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Verbal communication

Non-verbal communication

Judgment and initiative

Leadership

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Driver's license

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 general supervision of the Captain, the Sergeant will assist in instructing and directing Juvenile Correctional Officers in providing youth with a safe and secure environment that fosters healthy decision‑making and is conducive to rehabilitation of at‑risk youth. 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 RESPONSIBILITIE S:

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.
Serves as a mentor for new security staff.
Provide support to new staff in maintaining youth headcount and completing all required reporting and daily logs.
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.
Serves on all facility posts including specialized units and in various locations.
Provides training, direction and guidance to staff in an effort to assist them in carrying out their responsibilities.
Provides supervision and control, as well as leadership to the youth and staff in specialized programs, services and activities.
Assists with supervision of shift operation regarding employees and youth as needed.
Assists in maintaining the shift schedule, and coordinates staff coverage when necessary.
Makes routine and frequent inspection of all units to ensure that employees are performing duties in compliance and practices.
Ensures unit has adequate amount of clothing, linen, cleaning supplies and hygiene items for unit.
Ensures proper grooming of youth in unit.
Works to assist directly with any crisis intervention disputes amongst the youth, assist in controlling disruptive behavior.
Refers acute problems to appropriate staff.
Mediates disputes between youth and JCOs.
Provides input on performance evaluations of officers as requested.
Ensures all subordinate staff complies with agency policy and procedure, along with Federal and State law.
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.
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.

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.

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).

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.

BENEFITS