Juvenile Justice Center Director

Application deadline is October 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST. Applicants will not be contacted until after this date. Internal applicants will be considered before external applicants.

Applications cannot be accepted through Handshake, only through our external site! https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/northamptoncounty

GENERAL PURPOSE
The Juvenile Center Director is responsible for the management and operation of the Northampton County Juvenile Justice Center. The Juvenile Center Director is responsible for the formation and implementation of regulations and participation in the development of overall program objectives and goals related to youth delinquency programs. This position requires on-call duty twenty-four hours per day, seven days per week.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
This position reports directly to the Associate Court Administrator.

SUPERVISION  EXERCISED
This position exercises direct supervision over the following classification(s):  Juvenile Center Deputy Director of Operations; Juvenile Center Deputy Director of Treatment; Juvenile Center Assistant Treatment Director, Juvenile Justice Center Supervisor, Youth Care Worker, Juvenile Center Recreation Coordinator, Service Coordinator/Managed Care Specialist, Accountant II, Food Service Manager, Food Service Supervisor, and Clerical Technician III. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION:
NOTE:  An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description.    Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed.  

Plans, organizes and directs the program and operation of the center under direction of the Court Administrator and the Court of Common Pleas and reports directly to the Associate Court Administrator.

Develops programs and operational policies and procedures in accordance with departmental standards and policies.

Supervises a professional staff engaged in counseling, educational, and recreational activities in coordination with the Juvenile Center Deputy Director of Operations and the Juvenile Center Deputy Director of Treatment.

Plans and supervises the work of professional and clerical staff.

Confers with staff members on behavioral and disciplinary problems.

Prepares and submits recommendations to the Court supporting the release, transfer or retention of delinquent youth.

Maintains responsibility for Federal and State funding streams.

Prepares, submits and maintains grants.

Acts as liaison to Juvenile Court Judge.

Confers with the judge, probation officers, police, social agencies and community groups interpreting the institutional program and objectives and developing cooperative working relationships.

Prepares reports and correspondence.

Prepares the facility annual budget and assumes responsibility for all expenditures and revenues.  

Represent the agency in media interviews and during public engagements.

Recruit and hire new employees. 

Performs job related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION:  Bachelor’s Degree program from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Social or Behavioral Sciences, Psychology, Education, Administration, or related field of study; AND

EXPERIENCE:  Five (5) years' experience working with youths with emotional, social or legal problems.  Possession of a Master’s degree in Psychology, social work, counseling or criminal justice may be substituted for up to one (1) year of the general experience requirement; OR

Any equivalent combination of acceptable training and experience which has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities cited below, and which conforms to State regulatory requirement.

CERTIFICATION/LICENSE: The incumbent will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle operator’s license only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position. If the incumbent chooses to operate his/her own motor vehicle, he/she shall provide proof of personal auto insurance and shall be eligible for mileage reimbursement in accordance with County policy.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES 
Thorough knowledge of the regulations and operations affecting all aspects of the operation of a facility housing youths who have been alleged or adjudicated delinquent.

Thorough knowledge of principles and practices of institutional management.

Considerable knowledge of principles and methods of supervision and administration.

Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in the application and interpretation of departmental policies and procedures.

Ability to determine and evaluate the qualifications of prospective employees in relation to the needs of the juvenile detention facility.

Ability to work effectively with disturbed and delinquent youth.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Must possess the ability to make independent decisions when circumstances warrant such action.

Must possess the ability to deal tactfully with personnel, residents, public and/or private agencies, and the general public.

Must demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills.

Must possess the ability and willingness to deal with difficult situations.

Ability to maintain records and prepare reports.

Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.

Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Telephone or cell phone, personal computer (including word processing and job related  software), calculator, fax machine, copy machine. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to finger, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and taste or smell.  

While performing the duties of this job the employee must occasionally lift and/or move more than 50 pounds, while physically restraining a resident. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions and is subject to exposure to hostile residents and conditions.

The noise level in the work environment varies.  

FLSA STATUS:  FLSA-EXEMPT (NOT ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME)
DESIGNATION:  CAREER SERVICE
PAY GRADE: CS/GR32
UNION STATUS: NON-UNION

Updated August 2011