Student Services Program Coordinator II - Midlands Region

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Health, dental, and life insurance

State retirement plans

Job summary

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is hiring to deliver individualized career, education, workforce readiness, and life-pathway services to youth involved with DJJ. The role assesses strengths and barriers, creates pathway plans, and connects youth to education, credentialing, employment, and community resources to support positive outcomes.

Responsibilities include conducting assessments, developing pathway plans with measurable goals, and coordinating readiness services

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; experience in student services programs preferred.
• Knowledge of student development theories and educational administration.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Highly organized with strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Conducts comprehensive career and education assessments to identify youth interests, strengths, goals, skills, barriers, and service needs.
• Develops and maintains individualized pathway plans with measurable goals, actions, timelines, referrals and follow-ups.
• Assists youth with career exploration, labor market awareness, goal setting and transition planning for long-term success.
• Provides and coordinates career readiness, educational support, and life skills services including resume development, job search, interview prep, and financial literacy.
• Develops collaborative relationships with employers, workforce partners, colleges, and community organizations.
• Coordinates referrals, work-based learning experiences, internships, and employer engagement opportunities.
• Ensures proper documentation and data collection to monitor youth outcomes and program effectiveness.
• Maintains confidentiality and adheres to agency reporting requirements.

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

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 limited supervision, coordinates and delivers individualized career, education, workforce readiness, and life-pathway navigation services for youth involved with the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice. Assesses youth strengths, interests, goals, and barriers; develops individualized pathway plans; connects youth to education, training, credentialing, employment, financial literacy, transportation, and community resources; establishes partnerships with workforce and community stakeholders; monitors youth progress; and maintains accurate records to support positive educational, employment, and independent living outcomes.

Job Responsibilities

Conducts comprehensive career and education assessments to identify youth interests, strengths, goals, skills, barriers, and service needs.

Develops and maintains individualized pathway plans that establish measurable goals, action steps, timelines, referrals, and follow-up activities.

Assists youth with career exploration, labor market awareness, goal setting, and transition planning to support long-term educational and employment success.

Provides and coordinates career readiness, educational support, and life skills services including resume development, job search assistance, interview preparation, workplace communication, financial literacy education, leadership development, decision-making skills, and access to high school completion, GED, postsecondary education, occupational training, and credentialing opportunities.

Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with employers, workforce-development agencies, technical colleges, adult education providers, apprenticeship programs, community organizations, and other service partners.

Coordinates referrals, warm handoffs, career exposure activities, work-based learning experiences, employer engagement opportunities, internships, occupational training, and employment connections for participating youth.

Coordinates implementation of career readiness and workforce development programming.

Collaborates with DJJ staff and stakeholders to identify eligible youth, coordinate services, address barriers to participation, ensure accessibility of services, and support continuous engagement.

Participates in program planning, staff meetings, training activities, and operational initiatives to enhance youth outcomes.

Maintains accurate and timely documentation of youth contacts, pathway plans, referrals, service activities, measurable milestones, and outcomes in agency-approved systems.

Collects, analyzes, and reports program data related to youth participation, educational advancement, credential attainment, employment outcomes, and workforce development activities.

Ensures compliance with confidentiality, records management, and agency reporting requirements.

Participates in required training, professional development activities, staff meetings, and special initiatives to maintain current knowledge of workforce development, juvenile justice, education, and career readiness practices.

Assists with administrative functions, special projects, program implementation activities, and agency initiatives.

Performs other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the Prevention and Intervention Director to support departmental goals, strategic priorities, and operational needs.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

State Minimum Requirements

A bachelor's degree and experience in student services programs.

Additional Requirements

Knowledge of the principles and theories of student development and educational administration.

Knowledge of the techniques of individual, group and career counseling (CDF).

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Highly organized and ability to communicate and work effectively with diverse groups and individuals within DJJ and externally.

Knowledge of laws, regulations, policies and procedures relevant to the area of employment; ability to exercise judgment and discretion.

Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations, policies and procedures.

Must have ability to work in a high-stress, high-traffic/fast-paced environment; and flexibility to work some evenings and weekends.

Moderate lifting of 40 pounds or less, long periods of sitting and working at a computer monitor.

Capable of attending overnight trainings and workshops.

This position performs job duties relating to the custody, control, transportation, or recapture of youth within the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice and 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

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

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 medical examination and drug testing may be required. Please provide an explanation for any gaps in employment.