Sergeant - UEDC

State of South Carolina; Union (SC); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and life insurance

15 days annual leave

State retirement plans and deferred-

Job summary

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is seeking a Sergeant to help supervise Juvenile Correctional Officers and guide youth toward rehabilitation in a secure facility. The role emphasizes safety, orderly operations, and positive youth development.

The Sergeant will mentor staff, conduct inspections, and ensure compliance with agency policies while coordinating shift coverage and reporting obligations.

Qualifications

• High school diploma required.
• CLEE certification within six months of employment is mandatory.
• Knowledge of state laws and regulations for secure facilities.

Responsibilities

• Engage with youth to ensure safety, security, rehabilitation and well-being.
• Maintain clear communication with youth throughout shifts.
• Mentor new security staff and support onboarding.
• Help with youth headcount, reporting and daily logs.
• Respond physically to emergencies and conduct security inspections.
• Supervise events, oversee routine searches and ensure basic needs are met.
• Coordinate shifts, schedule coverage and maintain unit discipline.

Skills

Leadership

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Judgment/initiative

Driver's license

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice (preferred)

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 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.
• 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.

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.

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 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

• 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 and Non‑Discrimination Statements

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 (803) 896‑5607.

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.

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.

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

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.

Applications are accepted until 5:00 p.m. on the stated closing date.