Program Coordinator

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:

The Program Coordinator at SCDJJ will incorporate and supervise a diverse range of activities and programs with the intention of improving certain physical, cognitive, emotional and social behaviors of the youth assigned to SCDJJ.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Program Coordinator will develop creative programming designed to engage, encourage, educate, and entertain youth in secure facilities.

Coordinates and develops an agency approved mentoring program and work cross-divisionally to meet the programmatic needs of youth in secure facilities.

Enters and tracks activity in the YAM system by the youth's name and type of activity to ensure the appropriate activity is being utilized.

Reviews the information in the Youth Activity Management (YAM) system with the Program Coordinator II to ensure the needs of the youths are being met. If not, make the necessary adjustments.

Coordinates facility programs to include planning one-time events and ongoing sustainable enrichment programs.

Organizes volunteers and staff to ensure adequate support for events and programs.

Collaborates cross-divisionally with security and other departments, as needed.

Maintains a close working relationship with partnering disciplines and participates in the unit treatment teams as a representative for program services.

Builds and maintains positive, responsive, and professional relationships with diverse groups to include volunteers, mentors, youth, staff, and the faith-based community.

Assists in supervising facility programs and activities and ensure that safety and security measures and procedures are utilized.

Works with youth to ensure the fidelity of the behavior management system.

Tracks and enters points in the system daily for each youth to ensure youth receives the appropriates incentives.

Performs other job-related duties as assigned by supervisor.

Minimum and Additional Requirements

STATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

A high school diploma and relevant program experience.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Requires considerable knowledge of methods and procedures of planning and developing therapeutic recreational programs; have good observation skills, ability to analyze program data and documentation.

Programming/event skills, lesson planning and facilitating groups.

Maintain effective working relationships with individuals, families, and representatives of other professional disciplines.

Ability to communicate effectively, make sound decisions, exercise sound judgement with discretion and interpret/follow facility policies and procedures.

Must be able to be certified as a DJJ officer.

Essential position that is under general supervision; work reviewed be supervisor on a daily basis; annually scheduled performance reviews.

Must be able to work a flexible/varied shift schedule.

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

Must be able to lift 50 pounds and engage in light to moderate activities/sports.

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:

High school diploma and relevant program experience. A bachelor's degree in the area of therapeutic, exercise science, art, music, or related field. A high school diploma and relevant experience pertaining to activity programming/therapy will be considered with two years of experience in the recreation field. Must be able to work with incarcerated youth in a secure setting.

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.