Captain - JDC

Job Responsibilities

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of South Carolina's youth, consider joining the dedicated people of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).

MISSION:

It is the mission of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to impact and transform young lives, strengthen families, and support safer communities through targeted prevention and rehabilitation.

JOB PURPOSE:

Under limited supervision of the Assistant Facility Administrator, the Captain plans, directs, and coordinates the actions of all security staff in the assigned facility, while maintaining compliance with agency policy and procedures along with Federal and State Law. The captain provides direction and guidance to shift supervisors to ensure the safety and orderly operation of the facility.

The captain manages Lieutenants, Sergeants and JCOs to provide youth with a safe and secure environment that fosters healthy decision-making and is conducive to rehabilitation of at-risk youth. This position is assigned to specific facilities to ensure orderly facility operations and the safety and well-being of all youth and staff. This position plays an essential role, and the responsibilities directly impact the youth and the ability of the agency to provide safe and secure rehabilitative opportunities for youth. This position's purpose is to contribute positively to the youth's overall rehabilitative process through positive youth development framework and a positive facility culture.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Engages with youth throughout the day to ensure the safety, security, rehabilitation, and well-being of youth.

Ensures frequent and helpful communication with youth throughout the day.

Physically respond appropriately to emergency situations.

Conducts routine and unannounced security inspections per agency policy.

Conducts routine and unannounced frisk searches of the youth after all youth movement.

Ensures that each youth has their basic needs met.

Remains knowledgeable and informed of the security status of all youth assigned.

Develops, directs, and implements an inspection program to detect and correct deficiencies according to policy in a secured facility to include safety, sanitation and maintenance needs in the assigned facility.

Ensures that all officers assigned to their shifts are given proper training in all operations.

Makes unscheduled and unannounced inspections to determine if staff are properly performing assigned duties of custody, supervision, and security.

Ensures proper control of all security keys and security equipment; to include but not limited to radios, handcuffs, leg irons, vehicles, keys, etc.

Responds to and handles situations of concern by maintaining the master schedule.

Evaluates staff's performance, instructs and counsels staff on required performance standards and when necessary, initiates/supervises/administers appropriate corrective or disciplinary actions for violations of laws, rules, regulations, policies and standards procedures.

With assistance from the training department, ensures all staff are current on all required trainings and certifications. This includes collaborating with leadership on other shifts and facilities to allow staff to be released from coverage to attend training.

Directs responses and responds to youth expressed problems, grievances and complaints and, when necessary, refers them to appropriate staff members for assistance or necessary actions.

Mediates disputes between youth and JCOs.

Ensures annual EPMS planning stages and reviews of supervised staff are prepared and submitted to the Office of Human Resources (OHR) in accordance with OHR standards.

Attends team members meetings to discuss youth issues, treatment, and security and participates with employee recognition selection committee.

Ensures that all assigned officers are informed about youth who require special supervision or pose a threat to the security and safety in the assigned facility.

Oversees facility operations by supervising formal/informal headcounts, supervising unscheduled and/or scheduled shakedowns, attending random security briefings, ensuring compliance with agency and PREA standards and other safety and security related duties when required by the supervisor, division, or agency.

Supervises/administers appropriate disciplinary actions for violation of laws, rules, regulations, policies, and standard operating procedures.

Supervises the preparation of and prepares recurring and special operational and administrative reports as well as security-related correspondence.

Serves on various institutional committees and serves as a member of treatment staffing team and local team meetings.

Participates and conducts interviews of applicants seeking employment as new security staff or seeking a promotion.

Performs other security-related duties when required.

Serves as a member of the On-Call management team and responds to the needs of the facility.

Performs other related job duties and tasks as assigned by a supervisor to further support the agency's mission and values.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

STATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma and supervisory experience in correctional, security or police work. A bachelor's degree in a human services or criminal justice field may substitute for the required supervisory experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Substantial knowledge of state law secured facility rules, regulations, requirements for youth control, and compliance with SC Child Abuse Statutes.

Substantial knowledge of the purpose, methods, and operational practices of DJJ facilities.

Substantial knowledge of various methods of instructing/handling/supervising youth in various activities.

Ability to exercise good judgment/initiative in a variety of situations.

Ability to build healthy relationships with youth and effectively communicate with them in order to promote respect and trust with them and manage challenging behaviors in a mature and professional way and in accordance with training.

Lead and develop new officers' ability to complete required reports to include daily ERS Reports.

Ability to establish working relationships with employees.

Ability to maintain a valid state driver's license, and ability to operate a state vehicle.

Under limited supervision, yearly review from Assistant Facility Administrator as well as quarterly supervisory conferences.

Must work independently on a limited basis.

As the organization continues to adjust to new leadership and organizational structure, the tasks and duties associated with this position maybe changed.

This position performs job duties relating to the custody, control, transportation, or recapture of youth within the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice. The employee may have direct and direct contact with youth within the jurisdiction of the Department of Juvenile Justice. Training applicable to these duties will be provided.

Note: If any Agency Requirements are listed above, applicants must also meet those requirements to be considered for the position.

Salary may vary depending on experience and qualifications. Candidates must present documentation of their attainment of a college degree(s) at the time of the interview.

Documentation must be an official or unofficial copy of the college transcript or a Letter of Verification of Degree from the institution's Registrar's Office. If the candidate selected for the position provided an unofficial copy, it must be replaced with an official copy on or before the HR processing date.

Preferred Qualifications

PREFERRED AGENCY REQUIREMENTS:

Must be 21 years of age with a valid driver's license and a high school diploma or equivalent. Must also have 5 years of experience in correctional, security, military, or police work to include at least 1 year of supervisor experience. Must attend, pass and maintain all required DJJ training courses.

A bachelor's degree in human services or criminal justice field accompanied with experience supervising, mentoring and interacting with at-risk youth. A bachelor's degree in a human services or criminal justice field may substitute for the required supervisory experience.

Special Requirement: Must be an officer in compliance with and certified under CLEE (Continuing Law Enforcement Education) within six (6) months of employment. Must have an 80% rate on competency/proficiency exam and possess supervisor and teaching skills.

Additional Comments

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Health, dental, and life insurance

• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year

• 15 days of sick leave per year

• 13 paid holidays

• State retirement plans and deferred compensation programs

• Discount Programs such as TicketatWork and WeSave

Applications are incomplete if you fail to answer all supplemental questions, education, and work history. Incomplete applications are not referred to hiring managers. Applications are accepted until 5:00 p.m. on the stated closing date.

You will be asked to provide a certified transcript if selected for a position requiring a degree. A background investigation will be conducted that may include but is not limited to, criminal records, driver's license, and child abuse registry prior to an offer of employment.

Additionally, a medical examination and drug testing may be required. Please provide an explanation for any gaps in employment.

A resume may be attached to your application but not substituted for completing the work history section of the application.