Youth Services Unit Administrator (Unit Manager)

State of Ohio • Circleville, OH

1d • $33 - $47 • Onsite

About The Position

The Youth Services Unit Administrator (Unit Manager) serves as the administrator for assigned residential living units at the Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility. Working under the administrative direction of the Unit Management Administrator, this role is responsible for youth protection and for implementing and ensuring compliance with Department of Youth Services policies, procedures, applicable laws, and correctional standards. The position provides direction for custodial care, health, safety, security, treatment, and programming for youth in the unit.

The Unit Manager plans and coordinates unit services and activities, supervises assigned staff, oversees schedules and structured programming, and ensures compliance with PREA requirements. The role monitors security and behavioral concerns, responds to critical incidents, coordinates treatment and support services, documents treatment plans, and monitors quality assurance and corrective actions. The Unit Manager also contributes to policy and program improvements aimed at meeting facility performance, Ohio, and American Correctional Association standards.

This is a permanent, full-time classified position at the Circleville Juvenile Correctional Facility. The regular schedule is 40 hours per week: two days from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and three days from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. New hires must complete six weeks of paid, mandatory pre-service training. The final candidate must undergo a criminal background check and pre-employment drug screening.

Requirements

• At least 42 months of training or experience in youth programming services in a secured environment and/or treatment facility, counseling and motivating troubled youth and/or behaviorally challenged clientele; or an equivalent combination meeting the minimum class qualifications.
• Alternatively, completion of an undergraduate core program in behavioral science, such as psychology, sociology, social work, rehabilitation, criminal justice, or juvenile justice, plus 18 months of experience in a secured environment and/or treatment facility related to youth programming services and/or behaviorally challenged clientele.
• Ability to complete six weeks of paid, mandatory pre-service training.
• Successful completion of a criminal background check and pre-employment drug screening.

Responsibilities

• Serve as administrator for assigned residential living unit(s) under the administrative direction of the Unit Management Administrator.
• Protect youth from harm and ensure compliance with DYS policies and procedures, ACA standards, applicable Ohio laws and regulations, and requirements governing custodial care, health, safety, and treatment.
• Plan and coordinate direct and indirect services for residential living units, including health, safety, security, structured programming, hygiene, treatment, risk management, and security classification plans.
• Supervise staff assigned to residential living units, including Juvenile Correctional Officers and Correctional Program Specialists.
• Ensure compliance with PREA standards and guidelines.
• Coordinate unit schedules, maximize youth out-of-room time through meaningful structured activities, and ensure activities are staffed and schedules are followed.
• Complete and execute residential living unit plans, direct unit activities, guide youth and staff, and recognize and report unethical staff behavior or concerning group dynamics.
• Monitor Security Threat Group activities and incidents and non-compliant youth; de-escalate hostile situations involving youth or staff when needed.
• Communicate and implement unit plans and assist in directing youth programs and related policies and procedures.
• Implement new and existing residential-unit policies, methods, and procedures; participate in or lead groups and meaningful activities when appropriate.
• Coordinate behavioral health services, recreation, housekeeping, hygiene, maintenance, investigations, and training.
• Ensure Correctional Program Specialists conduct scheduled groups and Youth Specialists lead structured activities to reduce youth idleness.
• Respond to Critical Incident Management situations and serve as Incident Commander.
• Monitor JJCMS incidents involving youth assigned to the unit, use of force, and Separation, including Response to Acts of Violence Separation Incidents.
• Provide Safe to Release Assessments and quality assurance for residential living unit plans and programming; monitor quality assurance results and ensure corrective actions are completed.
• Plan, execute, and document treatment plans; respond to programmatic issues and ensure youth compliance with the youth behavior management system.
• Recommend unit policy and procedural changes or new programs to improve efficiency and support facility Performance-based Standards, Ohio Standards, and ACA goals and compliance.

Benefits

• Medical coverage.
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after completion of the eligibility period.
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal leave, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year.
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave.
• Education and development opportunities, including Employee Development Funds and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Public retirement systems, including OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS, and optional Ohio Deferred Compensation.
• Paid mandatory pre-service training.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed