THE POSITION

Are you searching for an opportunity to join team efforts to help court-adjudicated youth become more responsible, contributing citizens in their communities? The Department of Human Services, Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services, Southeast Youth Development Center is seeking individuals who are outgoing, motivated, and up for a challenge mentally, emotionally, and physically. We are seeking individuals who can develop effective relationships with court-adjudicated youth to help address personal problems and provide positive reinforcement to instill proper attitudes and responsible behaviors.

Your willingness to work with a diverse population, along with a driving desire to make a difference in the lives of youth provides you with a rewarding and fulfilling career opportunity at our new location!

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

As a Juvenile Justice Specialist, you will actively engage with a diverse population of court-adjudicated youth to make a difference in their lives; provide guidance, instruction, treatment, and specialized services in a secure or restricted setting; provide for the physical care, custody, and supervision of the youths' daily activities that include recreation, housekeeping, personal hygiene, work assignments, and program activities that include recreation, housekeeping, personal hygiene, work assignments, and program requirements. You will also assist professional staff in implementing treatment plans and reporting youths' progress in attaining goals. In addition, you will have an opportunity to provide guidance in social and emotional growth by role modeling values and ideals that elicit a genuine desire in court-adjudicated youth to change behaviors.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

• Full-time employment
• Hours of work: Shift work in a 24/7/365 operation, holidays and weekends, 8-hour shifts with no duty-free lunch
  • 1st shift (7:00 AM to 3:00 PM)
  • 2nd shift (3:00 PM to 11:00 PM)
  • 3rd shift (11:00 PM to 7:00 AM)
• Travel: As needed
• Overtime: As needed - voluntary and possible mandatory
• Shift Work: Yes
• May change based on operational needs.
• You must be willing to accept employment at Southeast Youth Development Center and commute to this location in Collegeville, Montgomery County.
• The Department of Human Services provides excellent benefits, pay increases, paid leave and holidays, as well as opportunities for career advancement.
• FREE PARKING!
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this posting.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Please check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

• Successful completion of the Juvenile Justice Specialist Trainee program (commonwealth title); or
• Two years of experience in the care, custody, activities, or personal guidance of adolescents or adults in a human services or social services program, law enforcement or correctional program, or an educational, community, or military organization; or
• An associate’s degree in social sciences, counseling, restorative justice, juvenile justice, child development, behavioral sciences, human services, criminal justice, education, or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Special Requirement:

• You must be at least 21 years old at the time of application.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require satisfactory completion of a medical examination and drug screening.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements will eliminate you from consideration for this position.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans’ Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test oncefor this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

• Eligibility rules apply.