TJJD-Juvenile Correctional Officer II-III-IV Fixed Post-EDU-(BWD)

We are committed to transforming lives and building safter communities by working collaboratively, communicating openly, and upholding the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. Our team models accountability, transparency, and respect, taking proactive steps to ensure the physical and emotional safety of youth, staff, and the community. We strive for excellence through continuous growth, thoughtful decision making, and mission driven collaboration, supporting one another while embracing challenges that lead to meaningful, long-term impact.

Provides supervision and direct care for student workers and youth in the Infirmary and Education. Works to help youth to achieve progress in learning and applying methods to identify and manage reactions to stress and trauma and react in more socially appropriate ways. Uses appropriate intervention methods in response to behavioral issues that seeks to aid in learning and correcting behavior. Maintains a consistent effort to ensure safe environments and employs security measures when youth, staff, or others are in danger. Interacts and engages with youth in ways that both maintain appropriate structure and exercise understanding of brain development in youth with complex trauma. Maintains healthy relationships and boundaries with youth and consistently recognizes progress and good choices made by youth.

Work involves facilitating youth rehabilitation, supervising youth, and coaching their personal development in accordance with individualized treatment plans. Works assigned shift, is subject to being on-call, and may be required to work in excess of 40 hours per work week. Occasional travel may be required.

Career Ladder Promotion Opportunity: This position is in the approved TJJD career ladder for Juvenile Correctional Officers. Personnel in this career ladder have the working title of Juvenile Correctional Officer (JCO). JCOs receive career ladder salary adjustments upon meeting established eligibility criteria per agency policy (PRS.15.08) until they reach the top level of the ladder. Placement on the career ladder is dependent upon experience and education. Progression to the highest pay level on the career ladder is dependent upon experience and performance.

Pre-Service Training Academy Requirement: Newly hired JCOs or rehired JCOs who have been separated more than 18 months will be required to attend the pre-service training academy and complete on-the-job training on a full-time basis. JCOs who have worked for TJJD and return to employment within 18 months of their separation date are not required to attend the pre-service academy and will be placed in full-time status on their date of employment.

Levels of Work Performed by Career Ladder Level:

Juvenile Correctional Officer II ¿ Fixed Post: Performs moderately complex (journey-level) work under general supervision with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Juvenile Correctional Officer III ¿ Fixed Post: Performs complex (journey-level) work under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Juvenile Correctional Officer IV ¿ Fixed Post: Performs highly complex (senior-level) work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Must be at least 21 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

OR

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• College degree or coursework.

• Experience supervising or providing rehabilitation/treatment services to youth or adults in a treatment program, correctional program, or a residential setting (e.g., correctional officer, juvenile detention officer, case manager, counselor, probation officer, or parole officer).

Note: Any degree, diploma, high school equivalent, or course hours required to meet minimum qualifications must be obtained from an accredited educational institution.

Applicants with the following will not be considered:

• Convicted or received deferred adjudication for any felony.

• Convicted or received deferred adjudication for domestic violence involving a family member (including non-spouse partners).

• Convicted or received deferred adjudication for official oppression.

• Current requirement to register as a sex offender.

• Arrested for a disqualifying offense that was not expunged before the statute of limitations expired.

• Outstanding warrant.

Applicants with other arrests, deferred adjudications, and convictions may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine suitability for employment.

Pre-employment conditions require acceptable results from mandatory:

• pre-employment drug test;

  • finger printing, criminal records check, and driving record check;

  • Fitness-for-Duty Assessment which may include both physical and behavior evaluations.

Requirements for Continued Employment:

• Obtain and maintain certification in TJJD¿s Use of Force techniques, which requires physical restraint of juveniles.

  • Obtain and maintain certification in First Aid and CPR.

  • Failure to maintain required certification will result in termination of employment.

• Knowledge of safety and security procedures and practices.
• Knowledge of general counseling and guidance techniques with adolescents.
• Knowledge of facility rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of individual and group behavior.
• Knowledge of child development and the role of the family.
• Knowledge of causes of juvenile delinquency and current methods of juvenile offender treatment.
• Ability to remain calm and regulate one¿s own behavior while helping to serve as a role model for youth who are learning to self-regulate their own behavior.
• Ability to maintain healthy and engaging relationships with youth while maintaining appropriate boundaries important for healthy development.
• Ability to work with youth in an empathetic and understanding manner with sustained positive interactions.
• Ability to communicate effectively with youth to foster youth cooperation in the treatment process.
• Ability to plan and implement youth programs.
• Ability to facilitate group discussions and activities.
• Ability to set limits on youth behaviors when appropriate in a consistent, firm and fair manner.
• Ability to intervene and redirect behavior.
• Ability to appropriately respond to abusive language and behavior in a manner consistent with instructions received in training.
• Ability to remain alert, observant, and physically able to respond appropriately to work situations or emergencies including, but not limited to, physical restraint of youth.
• Ability to learn verbal and physical crisis intervention/de-escalation techniques and emergency treatment procedures.
• Ability to maintain order and discipline.
• Ability to physically restrain youth, when necessary, in a manner consistent with instructions received in training.
• Ability to explain the progress of the youth to their family members and other treatment staff.
• Ability to interpret rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to accept and adapt to changes in assignments, methods, policies, etc.
• Ability to work collaboratively with all stakeholders and maintain a professional, courteous demeanor.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments; and meet deadlines.
• Ability to process information logically, make decisions, and demonstrate the soundness for those decisions.
• Ability to document observations and incidents and maintain written files and records.
• Ability to transport youth and travel as necessary.
• Ability to work a variety of shifts, weekends, holidays, and be on-call.
• Ability to work more than 40 hours per workweek, and travel, when required.

The following physical demands and working conditions are representative of those encountered when performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Analyzing

Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing

Ability to see

Ability to hear (with or without aid)

Ability to perform tactile discernment

Identifying colors

Depth perception

Operate motor equipment

Heavy lifting, 45 lbs. & over

Heavy carrying, 45 lbs. & over

Restraining combative youth

Pushing

Pulling

Repeated bending

Reaching above shoulder

Prolonged standing and walking

Walking

Standing

Sitting

Crawling

Twisting

Kneeling

Stooping

Manual/finger dexterity

Dual simultaneous grasping

Climbing stairs

Climbing ladders

State of Texas Benefits and Retirement Information can be found at https://www.ers.texas.gov. Benefits include: Retirement plan, paid group health & life insurance for employee, paid holidays, paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, longevity pay, educational assistance program, employee assistance program. Optional add-on benefits include: Dental, Vision, Optional Life Insurance, Voluntary AD&D Insurance, Dependent Health & Life insurance, Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts, etc. Additionally, certain designated positions are eligible for hazardous duty pay, and career ladder advancements

In order to receive veteran¿s preference, a copy of your DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), VA disability rating (if applicable), or a DD Form 1300 (Report of Casualty) must be attached to your application.

For Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk, please visit: https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_ProgramManagement.pdf