Youth Engagement Coordinator - JDC

State of South Carolina; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Health, dental, and life insurance

15 days annual leave

15 days sick leave

13 paid holidays

State retirement plans

Discount Programs

Job summary

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice seeks a Youth Engagement Coordinator to plan and deliver structured recreation, wellness, and engagement programs in DJJ facilities. You will create monthly calendars, supervise activities, and promote pro-social behavior while ensuring safety and trauma-informed practice.

This role emphasizes collaboration with staff, responsive supervision, and the ability to move between units.

Qualifications

• High school diploma and relevant program experience.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• Executes all assigned programming in alignment with the master schedule, ensuring activities start and end on time.
• Maintains active supervision and facilitates direct youth engagement during programming.
• Designs trauma-informed recreation and wellness programming that supports health and skills development.
• Develops and manages monthly programming calendars, flyers, and incentive systems.
• Maintains operational control, safety, and documentation for all programming materials and spaces.
• Performs additional duties to support division priorities and evolving needs.

Skills

Wellness programming

Trauma-informed care

Youth engagement

Communication

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

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

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. The Youth Engagement Coordinator leads the development of monthly programming calendars, incentive-based activities, and recreational offerings that align with the master schedule and agency expectations. Through consistent structure, engagement, and accountability, this position plays a critical role in improving facility culture, increasing youth participation, and supporting emotional well-being and rehabilitation outcomes.

Key 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.

• 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• 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

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.

Equal Opportunity Statement

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 [phone].

School District Non-Discrimination Statement

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.