Student Services Program Coordinator II - Midlands Region

State of South Carolina; Fork (SC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is seeking a dedicated Career Navigator to coordinate and deliver individualized career, education, workforce readiness, and life-pathway services for youth involved with DJJ.

Under limited supervision, you will assess strengths, develop pathway plans, connect youth to education, training, credentials, employment, and community resources, and maintain records to support positive outcomes.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of student development theory.
• Techniques of individual, group and career counseling (CDF).
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Highly organized with ability to communicate with diverse groups.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, policies relevant to employment; ability to exercise judgment.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, regulations and policies.
• Ability to work in a high‑stress, fast‑paced environment; some evenings and weekends.
• Moderate lifting up to 40 pounds and long periods of sitting at a computer.
• Willingness to attend overnight trainings and workshops.

Responsibilities

• Conduct career and education assessments to identify youth interests, strengths, goals, skills, barriers, and service needs.
• Develop individualized pathway plans with measurable goals, action steps, timelines, referrals, and follow‑ups.
• Assist youth with career exploration, labor market awareness, goal setting, and transition planning for long‑term success.
• Provide and coordinate career readiness, educational support, and life skills services including resume development and interview preparation.
• Develop and maintain collaborations with employers, workforce partners, technical colleges, and community organizations.
• Coordinate referrals, work-based learning experiences, internships, and employment connections for participating youth.
• Coordinate implementation of career readiness and workforce development programming.
• Collaborate with DJJ staff to identify eligible youth, address barriers, and ensure accessibility of services.
• Participate in program planning, staff meetings, training, and initiatives to improve youth outcomes.
• Maintain accurate documentation of youth contacts, pathway plans, referrals and outcomes in agency systems.
• Collect and report program data related to youth participation, credential attainment, and employment outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with confidentiality, records management, and reporting requirements.
• Attend required training and professional development; support agency initiatives.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Prevention and Intervention Director.

Education

Bachelor's degree

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 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.

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

Applications are incomplete if you fail to answer all supplemental questions, education, and work history. Incomplete applications are not referred to hiring managers. Applications are accepted until 5:00 p.m. on the stated closing date.

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. A resume may be attached to your application but not substituted for completing the work history section of the application.