Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist III, Shift Administrator, Suffolk Detention Unit

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Boston, MA

6d • Onsite

About The Position

The Department of Youth Services (DYS) is seeking a dynamic, positive, and service-minded individual to fill the role of Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist, Shift Administrator (JJYDS III). This position involves working with juvenile justice-involved young people aged 12-20 in DYS residential facilities. The selected candidate will perform various care and security activities, observe conduct and behavior, liaise with staff and external agencies, and serve as part of a team to provide guidance to JJYDS and JJYDS Shift Supervisors, while also supervising the operations of assigned shifts.

Requirements

• Ability to supervise, including planning and assigning work, controlling work through periodic reviews and/or evaluations.
• Ability to understand, explain, and apply the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines governing assigned unit activities.
• Knowledge of the factors, trends, and challenges in providing secure residential and rehabilitative care to youth, including Positive Youth Development (PYD) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
• Proficient at gathering information by examining records and documents and through questioning and observation.
• Capacity to interact with people who are under physical and/or emotional stress.
• Ability to maintain a calm manner in stressful and emergency situations.
• Effective communication, including the ability to give oral and written instructions in a precise, understandable manner.
• Experience in establishing rapport with persons from different ethnic, cultural, and/or socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to deal tactfully with others.
• Minimum Age Requirement: 21 years.
• Ability to properly restrain or subdue youth through appropriate use of handcuffs or other restraint techniques if necessary.
• Able to talk and/or hear, stand, walk, run, kneel, climb stairs, and lift, carry, push, or pull up to 55 pounds with or without assistance and with or without the use of devices and/or equipment to assist in the lifting effort.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least two (2) years of full-time, or equivalent part-time experience in the military, or working with at-risk or justice-involved youth and/or adults with responsibilities that include but not limited to community supervision, safety and security in a 24/7 residential treatment or detention program, counseling, coaching (athletic or personal), mentoring, advocacy, mediation, de-escalation, substance use/abuse prevention, rehabilitation and/or in a law enforcement capacity.
• At least one (1) year of the above experience must have been in a supervisory capacity.
• Upon hire, incumbents shall be required to complete and maintain a valid certification in crisis intervention, suicide prevention, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and first aid.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with youth including residential care, treatment, counseling and/or rehabilitation of juveniles and/or adult offenders.
• Proven ability to interact with youth in a supportive, safe, and encouraging way.
• Demonstrated program measurement, reporting, and evaluation skills.
• Knowledge of the laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, guidelines, etc. governing assigned unit activities.
• Knowledge of the types and availability of public and private organizations providing services to juveniles such as settlement houses, child guidance clinics, health, welfare, and recreation agencies.
• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office products including Word, Outlook, and Excel.
• An associate degree or higher may be substituted for one (1) year of the required experience.

Responsibilities

• Ensure proper security, control, and supervision of the shift, and adherence to all unit policies, rules, and regulations.
• Supervise up to six (6) direct-report staff, direct the activities of staff and residents, plan activities, and coordinate resources.
• Act as a liaison for communication of concerns or problems from direct-reports up through the chain of command.
• Maintain custodial care and control of youth to uphold order and security within the facility.
• Ensure the security of staff and youth by making periodic rounds, head counts, and security checks and searches of youth and visitors.
• Observe the conduct and behavior of youth confined to the facility and take appropriate action to prevent disturbances and/or escapes.
• Provide one-to-one youth watch, including suicide, elevated, and medical watch, to ensure the safety of the youth.
• Conduct intake of youth and complete appropriate documentation.
• Document behavioral issues to establish patterns and monitor changes.
• Complete incident reports and transportation, medical, visitor, and daily operations logs.
• Provide crisis and behavior management to youth to prevent or intercede with crisis situations.
• Facilitate and/or co-facilitate group meetings to assist youth in developing coping skills and pro-social/life skills.
• Establish rapport with youth and advocate for their needs.
• Provide guidance and support through daily interaction and role modeling to facilitate re-entry into the community.
• Perform and oversee various care activities of youth, such as escorting and/or transporting them to activities, recreational areas, meetings, and medical appointments.
• Participate in activities to maintain order and security of the assigned facility and monitor participation.
• Maintain electronic records/documents regarding daily behavior and activities of youth, including incident reports.
• Coordinate and oversee the activities and programs of an assigned program, service, or division to ensure effective operations, proper care, and treatment of youth.
• Supervise and monitor the deployment of staff by checking duty stations and ensuring the completion of assigned tasks.

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits
• Outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package.
• Work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: High school or GED