Unit Manager (Youth Services Unit Administrator)

State of Ohio • Highland Hills, OH

8d • Onsite

About The Position

The Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) is seeking a Unit Manager (Youth Services Unit Administrator) to join their unit management team at Cuyahoga Hills Juvenile Correctional Facility. This role is crucial for overseeing individual housing units and ensuring the safety, security, and habilitation of youth. DYS is committed to transforming and saving lives by providing programming designed to address the criminological and behavioral needs of youth aged 10-21 who have been adjudicated and committed by juvenile courts. The department emphasizes a trauma-responsive environment, collaboration, and continuous improvement to achieve better outcomes for youth and families. As a qualifying employer for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, DYS offers a career path that allows employees to make a significant impact.

Requirements

• 42 months of training or 42 months of experience in youth programming services in a secured environment and/or treatment facility for counseling and motivating troubled youth and/or behaviorally challenged clientele.
• OR completion of an undergraduate core program in behavioral science (e.g., psychology, sociology, social work, rehabilitation, criminal justice, juvenile justice) and 18 months of experience in a secured environment and/or treatment facility related to youth programming services and/or behaviorally challenged clientele.
• OR equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment.
• Job Skills: Corrections
• Final candidate must undergo a criminal background check and pre-employment drug screening.
• Final candidates are required to attend 3 weeks of mandatory, paid training at the Correctional Training Academy in Orient, Ohio.

Nice To Haves

• Excellent communication skills
• Passion to habilitate youth

Responsibilities

• Ensure safety and security of all youth and staff.
• Administer, plan, and coordinate services of youth housing units, including unit plans, group living, safety, security, and idle time.
• Coordinate services such as Behavioral Health Services, recreation, and maintenance.
• Oversee and coordinate unit schedules and ensure adherence.
• Ensure groups and structured activities are scheduled.
• Ensure staff document contact in the Juvenile Justice Case Management System (JJCMS), including groups and Interdisciplinary Team meetings.
• Implement and administer DYS policies and procedures, American Correctional Association (ACA), Ohio Revised Code (ORC), Senate Bill 5 (SB5), and Ohio Administrative Code (OAC) for custodial care, health, safety, and treatment of youth.
• Ensure compliance with Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards and guidelines.
• Direct unit activities and supervise assigned staff.
• Provide guidance and direction to youth and staff.
• Recognize unethical staff behavior.
• Identify group dynamics and be aware of Security Threat Group (STG) activities/incidents.
• Work with non-compliant youth and de-escalate hostile situations.
• Conduct reviews and implement corrective action for unit incidents.
• Conduct administrative investigations as assigned.
• Respond to and assume Incident Commander role during Critical Incident Management (CIM) situations.
• Monitor JJCMS incidents related to youth assigned to unit(s).
• Provide quality assurance (QA) for unit plan and programming, ensuring compliance with QA indicators.
• Monitor Use of Force and Separation, including Response to Acts of Violence (AOV) Separation Incidents.
• Provide Safe to Release Assessment.
• Check for youth in AOV separation.
• Make recommendations to supervisor regarding housing unit policy and procedures to develop methods and/or new programs.
• Ensure unit's compliance with youth behavior management system (e.g., Positive Response Incentive Driven Environment).

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: Associate degree