Youth Detention Superintendent

FHLB Des Moines; Virginia Beach (VA); On-site; USD 101,000 - 156,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Virginia Beach is seeking an experienced Youth Detention Superintendent to lead the Juvenile Detention Center. The role focuses on safety, rehabilitation, and positive youth development, overseeing 72 full-time and 15 part-time staff while ensuring high standards of care and regulatory compliance.

The candidate will drive program development, budgeting, and interagency collaboration to improve outcomes for youth and families within a secure, 24/7 facility.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, public administration, or related field.
• 12+ years in relevant fields with 4+ years supervisory.
• Current and valid driver’s license.
• Experience with juvenile justice laws, detention standards, licensing requirements.
• Experience managing large operational budgets and strategic planning.
• Background checks: CPS, tuberculin screening, and related requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all Juvenile Detention Center operations.
• Ensure security and a therapeutic, safe environment for youth.
• Develop, implement, and evaluate programs for youth outcomes.
• Ensure compliance with DJJ regulations and licensing standards.
• Oversee budgeting, staffing, scheduling, and training.
• Foster partnerships with courts, law enforcement, and community services.
• Promote data-driven decision-making and continuous improvement.
• Lead a multidisciplinary team and set a culture of accountability.

Skills

Budget Management

Leadership

Policy Implementation

Workforce Training

Criminal Justice

Data Analysis

Stakeholder Collaboration

Education

Master's degree in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, public administration, human behavior

Job description

Job Posting End Date:Department:HUMAN SERVICESCompensation Grade:A21Compensation Range & Starting Salary:Pay Range: $100,942.40 - $156,436.80Starting salary may be negotiable based on qualificationsJob Exempt (If No, Position is eligible for overtime):YesScheduled Weekly Hours:40About Us:Recognized as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers for 2024, the City of Virginia Beach is proud to offer a diverse and dynamic work environment. Our workforce plays a crucial role in delivering exceptional government services to both our citizens and fellow City employees. Apply now to join an organization where you truly make a difference.Job Duties and Preferred Qualifications:Lead with Purpose. Shape Futures. Build a Safer Community. Every day presents an opportunity to change the trajectory of a young person's life.The City of Virginia Beach is seeking an experienced, compassionate, and visionary leader to serve as our Youth Detention Superintendent, overseeing the City's Juvenile Detention Center and leading a dedicated team committed to rehabilitation, safety, accountability, and positive youth development.The Virginia Beach Juvenile Detention Center is a secure facility that operates 24 hours a day and provides housing, meals, education, recreation and medical and mental health services to youth up to age 21. The facility is staffed by 72 full-time and 15 part-time employees who work in direct care, medical, food service, program management, mental health and administrative roles. The detention center houses residents in pre-dispositional and post-depositional status, as well as in the State’s Community Placement Program.This position reports directly to the Deputy Director of Community Justice and plays a critical role in advancing innovative programming while ensuring the highest standards of care, security, and regulatory compliance.If you're passionate about leading people, improving systems, and making a lasting impact on the lives of youth and families, we'd love to hear from you.Duties:As the Youth Detention Superintendent, you will provide strategic leadership for all operations of the Juvenile Detention Center, including:Ensuring property security and fostering a safe, therapeutic, and supportive environment for children and youth.Overseeing the development, implementation and evaluation of programs and services that improve outcomes for youth in care.Monitoring programs for effectiveness, quality, and compliance with all applicable Department of Juvenile Justice and Interdepartmental Licensure standards of regulations; maintaining program services in compliance with all federal and state laws and local government administrative regulations, policies, and ordinances.Managing facility operations, budgeting, purchasing, staffing, scheduling, overtime, employee training, and organizational performance.Developing, reviewing, updating, implementing and enforcing policies and procedures.Building and maintaining partnerships with courts, law enforcement, community organizations, schools, and behavioral health providers.Championing continuous improvement, data-driven decision making, and innovative practices that strengthen services for youth and families.Creating a workplace culture focused on accountability, collaboration, leadership development, and exceptional public service.As a City Manager appointee, this position serves at the pleasure of the City Manager and is not considered part of the merit service as defined in City Code, section 2-75.This position is open until filled. Applications will be reviewed and interviews conducted ongoingly. The requisition will close once a sufficient applicant pool is established.Preferences:Master's degree in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, public administration, human behavior, or a closely related field.Significant leadership experience within juvenile justice, corrections, law enforcement, secure residential treatment, or a similar human services environment.Experience supervising managers and leading multidisciplinary teams.Experience with juvenile justice laws, detention standards, licensing requirements, and regulatory compliance.Experience managing large operational budgets and strategic planning initiatives.Experience using data to improve organizational performance and outcomes.Experience developing and implementing policy and procedures.Additional requirements:• DMV Transcript: Yes• CDL: No• Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse: No• CPS Check: Yes• Physical: No• Respirator: No• Psychological Screening: No• Polygraph: No• At Will: YesMinimum Requirements:Minimum Qualifications: Requires any combination of education and/or experience equivalent to twelve (12) years, four (4) of which must have been in a supervisory capacity, in fields related to psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or public administration which provide the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. Must have a current and valid driver’s license.Special Requirements: All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Alpha I Status: Positions within this class have been designated as Alpha I positions requiring employees to work during inclement weather, regardless of the City’s operational status. Requires a current tuberculin screening.Skills:Budget Management, Criminal Justice, Implementing Policies, Leadership, Policy Procedures, Workplace TrainingWorking Conditions:Per HR Policy 6.19, Americans with Disabilities, the City follows the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all hiring and employment decisions. The City shall not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring and employment practices. The City shall make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability upon request unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the City’s business.The Working Conditions Summary is intended to provide a general overview of the environmental conditions inherent in the job setting, as well as the physical, mental, and sensory requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of the position in the noted job profile. Please copy and paste the URL below into your web browser to view the Working Conditions Summary for this position.https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/P2564.pdfOfficial Job Descriptions:To browse official job descriptions, please access this link - https://virginiabeach.gov/careers/job-descriptions-pay-plans?search=&group=EVRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.Drug Free Workplace: The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: The City of Virginia Beach is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status as defined by applicable law.