Correctional Officer

Candidates must apply online at www.careers.sc.gov and follow your application status online.

Are you looking for an exciting, rewarding career? Do you want to make a real difference in the lives of at-risk youth? Consider becoming a Correctional Officer and joining the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice's (SCDJJ) Team!

NEW STARTING SALARY - $43,806
 

South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice invites applications for Correctional Officers to maintain safety and security for 3 Midlands Region Facilities (JDC, MEC, BRRC).

Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) - JDC is a centralized pre-trial detention facility serving juveniles from most of South Carolina's 46 counties.

Broad River Road Complex (BRRC) - BRRC is the agency's long-term commitment facility.

Midlands Evaluation Center (MEC) - MEC provides court-ordered evaluations for adjudicated juveniles from the Midlands area before the final disposition of their cases.

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

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IS NOT REQUIRED! 
New officers will learn effective communication and de-escalation skills to manage behavior. Our training program is facilitated by experienced trainers who teach first aid, report writing, crisis intervention, defensive tactics, investigation, problem-solving, and other critical skills used by corrections and law enforcement professionals.  

IS THIS THE CAREER RIGHT FOR ME?
Our JCOs come from various personal, professional, and educational backgrounds. However, successful JCOs do have a few things in common. They are strong communicators with a genuine desire to help people. They value serving their community and understand the importance of working in a team environment. They are problem-solvers who can make decisions and thrive in a fast-paced environment.

JOB PURPOSE:

Under the general supervision of the Captain, the Juvenile Correctional Officer (JCO) position provides youth with a safe, secure environment that fosters healthy decision-making and is conducive to rehabilitating at-risk youth. This position is assigned to specific posts 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 agency's ability to provide safe and secure rehabilitative opportunities for youth. This position aims to contribute positively to the youth's overall rehabilitative process through a positive youth development framework and facility culture.  

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: 
Engages with youth throughout the day to ensure their safety, security, rehabilitation, and well-being. 

Ensures frequent and helpful communication with youth throughout the day. Performs assigned post responsibilities surrounding youth care. 

Initiates and maintains youth headcount and completes all required reporting and daily logs.

Physically respond appropriately to emergencies. 

Conducts routine and unannounced security inspections per agency policy. 

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

Ensures that each youth's basic needs are met. Remains knowledgeable and informed of the security status of all youth assigned.  

Serves on all facility posts, including specialized units and in various locations.

Counsels' youth to prevent incidents. Redirects youth for inappropriate behavior.  

Provides constant and consistent enforcement of the behavior management system. 

Responds to minimal disruptions and emergencies according to agency policy by deploying verbal and physical de-escalation strategies.  

Conveys observations and interactions with education, social work, mental health, and medical staff. Serves as a member of the local unit team meetings.

Transports youth as needed and supervises youth movement to ensure all youth receive the required treatment and educational, recreational, vocational, visitation, and other activities. 

Ensures youth receive proper medical attention as needed and required by agency policy and procedures.

Submits work order requests to supervisors. 

Ensures a clean environment.

Complies with agency policy and procedure to complete required reports concerning youth and employee-related incidents and any matters about the facility's safety, security, and operation.

Performs other duties and tasks a supervisor assigns to support the agency's mission and values further.

Candidates must apply online at www.careers.sc.gov and follow your application status online.