Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist II, Shift Supervisor, Northeast Detention

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Middleton, MA

8d•Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Youth Services is hiring a Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist II to work with justice-involved young people ages 12–20 in residential facilities, at Northeast Detention in Middleton, Massachusetts. The role includes providing care and security, monitoring youth conduct, communicating with staff and stakeholders, and guiding Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist I staff. The Specialist II may supervise up to six JJYDS I staff and assume shift-operation responsibilities in the absence of a Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist III. The position combines custodial supervision with youth development and rehabilitative support. The incumbent maintains facility safety and order, responds to crises, supports youth through daily interactions and group meetings, and helps youth develop coping, pro-social, and life skills. The role also includes staff leadership, training, documentation, intake, and operational recordkeeping. Employees typically work five 8-hour shifts, though extended hours, nights, holidays, weekends, and mandatory overtime may be required. The stated shift is 7:00 AM–5:00 PM, with Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday off. Flexibility is required to meet program needs. Work may involve travel in-state and, depending on assignment, out of state; exposure to confrontations and potentially dangerous environments; and physically restraining youth. Candidates must pass pre-employment drug, psychological, medical, and physical abilities screenings. A criminal background check and verification of education, licensure, and certifications are also part of the hiring process. Upon hire, employees must complete and maintain certifications in crisis intervention, suicide prevention, CPR, AED, and first aid. Depending on assignment, a valid motor vehicle driver’s license may be required. The Commonwealth offers a comprehensive employee benefits package. Certain agency staff at State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities must be vaccinated against COVID-19 and influenza or comply with required mitigation measures.

Requirements

Minimum age of 21 years.
High school diploma or equivalent, plus at least one year of full-time or equivalent part-time experience in the military or working with at-risk or justice-involved youth and/or adults in one or more specified areas: community supervision; safety and security in a 24/7 treatment or detention residential program; counseling; coaching; mentoring; advocacy; mediation; de-escalation; substance-use prevention; rehabilitation; or law enforcement. An associate’s degree or higher may substitute for the required experience.
Ability to understand, explain, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines governing assigned unit activities.
Knowledge of factors, trends, and challenges in secure residential and rehabilitative care for youth, including Positive Youth Development (PYD) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
Ability to supervise, plan and assign work based on job requirements, subordinate capabilities, and available resources, and control work through periodic reviews or evaluations.
Proficiency in gathering information by examining records and documents and through questioning and observation.
Ability to interact with people experiencing physical or emotional stress and to remain calm in stressful and emergency situations.
Effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to give precise, understandable instructions.
Experience establishing rapport with people from different ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds and ability to deal tactfully with others.
Ability to perform the physical requirements of the job, including properly restraining or subduing youth when necessary.
Ability to talk and/or hear; stand, walk, run, kneel, and climb stairs; and lift, carry, push, or pull up to 55 pounds, with or without assistance or devices.
Upon hire, complete and maintain valid certifications in crisis intervention, suicide prevention, CPR, AED, and first aid.
Possess a current and valid motor vehicle driver’s license at the class level specified for the assignment, if required.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with youth, including residential care, treatment, counseling, or rehabilitation of juveniles and/or adult offenders.
Ability to interact with youth in a supportive, safe, and encouraging way.
Program measurement, reporting, and evaluation skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office products, including Word, Outlook, and Excel.

Responsibilities

Observe youth conduct and behavior, take appropriate action to prevent disturbances or escapes, and ensure compliance with policies and the safety of staff and youth, including providing one-to-one suicide, elevated, and medical watches.
Maintain custodial care, control, order, and security; conduct rounds, head counts, security checks, and searches of youth and visitors to account for youth and prevent weapons or contraband from entering the facility.
Supervise and monitor the deployment of up to six JJYDS I staff by checking duty stations and confirming completion of assigned tasks.
Assist the Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist III when absent and assume responsibility for operating the assigned shift.
Conduct youth intake and complete related documentation, including behavioral records, incident reports, transportation, medical, visitor, and daily operations logs.
Maintain resident, program, department, and shift documentation, and create or improve systems and procedures to support efficient operations.
Provide crisis and behavior management to prevent or intervene in crisis situations.
Facilitate or co-facilitate group meetings that help youth develop coping, pro-social, and life skills.
Build rapport with youth, advocate for their needs, and provide guidance and support through daily interaction and role modeling to facilitate community re-entry.
Provide leadership by modeling and reinforcing positive practices and participating in staff meetings and training as needed.
Orient new staff and train and coach staff in techniques, group interactions, and appropriate emergency responses, including physical subduing and restraint practices.