Youth Engagement Coordinator - JDC

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 38,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Health, dental, and life insurance

15 days annual (vacation) leave

15 days of sick leave

13 paid holidays

State retirement plans

Job summary

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is seeking a Youth Engagement Coordinator to plan, implement, and document structured recreation and wellness programs within secure facilities. The role focuses on positive youth development, trauma-informed activities, and maintaining a safe, engaging environment for youth.

Responsibilities include designing monthly calendars, supervising activities, ensuring adherence to master schedules, and supporting division priorities with flexible,

Qualifications

• Must have a high school diploma and relevant program experience.
• Bachelor's degree in physical education, recreation or related field preferred.
• Knowledge of trauma-informed care and youth development principles is required.
• Ability to facilitate structured activities and group sessions.
• Knowledge of behavior management and de-escalation strategies.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Executes all programmed activities per master schedule with structure and engagement for youth.
• Maintains active supervision and directs youth during programming to ensure safety.
• Designs trauma-informed recreation and wellness activities that build physical health and emotional regulation.
• Develops monthly calendars, flyers, and incentive systems for visible programming across units.
• Maintains control and safety of programming materials and spaces, ensuring smooth transitions.
• Performs other duties as directed to support division priorities and emergencies.

Skills

Wellness programming

Trauma-informed care

Group facilitation

Behavior management

Youth engagement

Mobility/safety

Emergency response

Communication skills

Time management

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree in physical education or recreation

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

The Youth Engagement Coordinator plans, implements, and documents structured recreation, wellness, and engagement programming that supports positive youth development within SCDJJ secure facilities. This role is responsible for creating a safe, structured, and predictable environment where youth are actively engaged in meaningful, trauma-informed activities that reduce idle time and promote pro-social behavior.

Job Responsibilities

• Executes all assigned programming in strict alignment with the master schedule, ensuring activities are initiated and completed on time while maintaining continuous structure, movement, and engagement for youth with no unplanned idle time.
• Maintains constant active supervision and facilitates direct youth engagement during all programming by setting clear expectations, reinforcing structure, and immediately redirecting behaviors to ensure a safe, controlled, and consistent environment.
• Designs and facilitates structured, trauma-informed recreation and wellness programming that supports physical health, emotional regulation, and skill development while ensuring activities are intentional, engaging, and developmentally appropriate.
• Develops and manages monthly programming calendars, activity flyers, and incentive systems to promote youth engagement, reinforce positive behavior, and ensures clear visibility of programming across units.
• Maintains full operational control, safety, and accountability of all programming materials, activity spaces, and documentation while ensuring smooth transitions and compliance with all facility expectations.
• Performs additional duties as directed by the supervisor to support division priorities, emergency needs, special projects, or evolving operational requirements within Security and Operations.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

STATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

high school diploma and relevant program experience.

Additional Requirements

• Knowledge of wellness programming (physical, emotional, behavioral health).
• Understanding of trauma-informed care and youth development principles.
• Ability to facilitate structured activities and group sessions.
• Knowledge of behavior management and de-escalation strategies.
• Ability to engage and motivate youth in a structured environment.
• 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.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to follow and implement the master schedule with fidelity.
• Strong organization and time management skills.

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 and the employee may have direct and indirect contact with juveniles within the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice.

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. Must be able to lift up to 25lbs. 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 physical education, recreation or a related field and relevant program experience. Experience working with at-risk youth in structured settings. Must attend, pass, and maintain all required DJJ training courses.

Special Requirement:

Must be an officer in compliance with and certified under CLEE (Continuing Law Enforcement Education) within six (6) months of employment.

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

A background investigation will be conducted that will 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 will be required. Please provide an explanation for any gaps in employment.