Youth Specialist (Juvenile Correctional Officer)

State of Ohio • Circleville, OH

3d • Onsite

About The Position

The Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) is seeking a Youth Specialist [Juvenile Correctional Officer] to join their team. This role involves overseeing facility functions, providing mentorship, and ensuring the safety and security of youth in their care. DYS is committed to rehabilitating youth and empowering families and communities, believing that all youth deserve an opportunity to reach their full potential. DYS operates as the juvenile corrections system for Ohio, statutorily mandated to confine felony offenders aged 10-21 who have been adjudicated and committed by juvenile courts. Youth in DYS facilities engage in programming designed to address their criminological and behavioral needs, reaching thousands of youth both in facilities and on parole. The agency emphasizes its guiding principles: valuing staff as the greatest resource, treating everyone with respect, cultivating a trauma-responsive environment, providing excellent support and services, advancing inclusion, and committing to collaboration and continuous improvement for better outcomes.

Requirements

• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Valid driver's license
• Must successfully complete Juvenile Correctional Officer assessment
• Must be 21 years of age at time of application
• Probationary period is 365 days
• Must successfully complete paid, mandatory 4 weeks of training (Week 1 at CJCF, weeks 2-4 in Orient, Ohio, 10-hour training days, Monday-Thursday)

Nice To Haves

• Strong leader with a solid background and a passion to habilitate youth

Responsibilities

• Provide safety, security, custodial care, & surveillance of assigned youth
• Utilize provided training to observe, intervene, and de-escalate youth behavior and conflicts
• Manage and maintain security and a positive interaction during and after family visits
• Complete all required documents (reports, logs, evaluations etc.)
• Oversee movement on facility grounds and outside trips
• Monitor and instruct youth on general housekeeping duties
• Maintain awareness of unusual behavior and crisis situations
• Collaborate and provide information to division leadership

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: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED