What are the responsibilities and job description for the Youth Specialist (Juvenile Correctional Officer) position at Ohio Department of Youth Services?
Starting pay is over $50,000 per year. By working just two (2) overtime assignments per week, new staff can add an additional $30,000 salary per year. New Youth Specialists receive their first pay increase after six (6) months of employment!
What You'll Do
DYS is seeking a Youth Specialist [Juvenile Correctional Officer] to join our diverse team! This person will oversee facility functions while providing valuable mentorship, experience, and knowledge to the youth in our care. The ideal candidate will be a strong leader with a solid background and a passion to habilitate youth.
Specifically, the Youth Specialist [Juvenile Correctional Officer] will:
Organization
Youth Services - Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility
Agency Contact Name and Information
Amanda.Norris@dys.ohio.gov
Unposting Date
Apr 16, 2026, 10:59:00 PM
Work Location
Indian River Juvenile Correctn
Primary Location
United States of America-OHIO-Stark County-Massillon
Compensation
$24.16 - $31.78
Schedule
Full-time
Classified Indicator
Classified
Union
OCSEA
Primary Job Skill
Juvenile Corrections
Technical Skills
Criminology/Criminal Justice, Juvenile Corrections, Security
Professional Skills
Attention to Detail, Conflict Management, Reasoning, Situational Awareness, Observation
Agency Overview
JOIN OUR TEAM! CHANGE LIVES WHILE BUILDING YOUR CAREER!
We are transforming and saving lives at DYS!
A safer Ohio: one youth, one family and one community at a time.
About Us…
Our mission at the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) is to improve Ohio's future by habilitating youth and empowering families and communities. We believe that all youth will be given an opportunity to live up to their greatest potential and staff are our greatest resource.
DYS is the juvenile corrections system for the state of Ohio. DYS is statutorily mandated to confine felony offenders, ages 10-21, who have been adjudicated and committed by one of Ohio's 88 county juvenile courts. During their stay with DYS, youth are engaged in programming that is designed to address their criminological and behavioral needs. DYS reaches thousands of youth in facilities and those on parole.
Our Guiding Principles…
What You'll Do
DYS is seeking a Youth Specialist [Juvenile Correctional Officer] to join our diverse team! This person will oversee facility functions while providing valuable mentorship, experience, and knowledge to the youth in our care. The ideal candidate will be a strong leader with a solid background and a passion to habilitate youth.
Specifically, the Youth Specialist [Juvenile Correctional Officer] will:
- Provide safety, security, custodial care, & surveillance of assigned youth
- Utilize provided training to observe, intervene, and de-escalation youth behavior and conflicts
- Manage and maintain security and a positive interaction during and after family visits
- Complete all required documents (reports, logs, evaluations etc.)
- Oversee movement on facility grounds and outside trips
- Monitor and instruct youth on general housekeeping duties
- Maintain awareness of unusual behavior and crisis situations
- Collaborate and provide information to division leadership
- Or equivalent of minimum class qualifications for employment noted above. Probationary period is 365 days.
Organization
Youth Services - Indian River Juvenile Correctional Facility
Agency Contact Name and Information
Amanda.Norris@dys.ohio.gov
Unposting Date
Apr 16, 2026, 10:59:00 PM
Work Location
Indian River Juvenile Correctn
Primary Location
United States of America-OHIO-Stark County-Massillon
Compensation
$24.16 - $31.78
Schedule
Full-time
Classified Indicator
Classified
Union
OCSEA
Primary Job Skill
Juvenile Corrections
Technical Skills
Criminology/Criminal Justice, Juvenile Corrections, Security
Professional Skills
Attention to Detail, Conflict Management, Reasoning, Situational Awareness, Observation
Agency Overview
JOIN OUR TEAM! CHANGE LIVES WHILE BUILDING YOUR CAREER!
We are transforming and saving lives at DYS!
A safer Ohio: one youth, one family and one community at a time.
About Us…
Our mission at the Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS) is to improve Ohio's future by habilitating youth and empowering families and communities. We believe that all youth will be given an opportunity to live up to their greatest potential and staff are our greatest resource.
DYS is the juvenile corrections system for the state of Ohio. DYS is statutorily mandated to confine felony offenders, ages 10-21, who have been adjudicated and committed by one of Ohio's 88 county juvenile courts. During their stay with DYS, youth are engaged in programming that is designed to address their criminological and behavioral needs. DYS reaches thousands of youth in facilities and those on parole.
Our Guiding Principles…
- Demonstrate staff are our greatest resource
- Treat everyone with respect
- Cultivate a trauma responsive environment for staff and youth to thrive
- Provide the best support and services for youth and families
- Advance our culture of inclusion through understanding and appreciating staff and youth differences
- Commit to and encourage collaboration and continuous improvement to produce better outcomes for those we serve
- Celebrate collective successes and support one another through opportunities to improve
Salary : $30,000 - $50,000