The purpose of a Juvenile Correctional Officer (JCO) is to provide safety, security, custodial care, discipline & surveillance of youth within DYS institutions as well as perform specified additional duties based upon assigned area.

JCOs plays a critical role in the rehabilitation of youth committed to DYS. A JCO spends many hours with the youth in DYS and as a result can have a great impact on a youth's success during and after his or her stay with the agency.

Working in a correctional enviornment can be challenging, but it can also be one of the most rewarding things you do.  DYS is looking for people that have high moral standards, respect for others, courage, dedication and patience.

As a JCO, you can become more than just an employee, you can become a role model to the youth committed to DYS.

• Directs juvenile activity in assigned areas of facility, monitors & operates security controls, operates car, van or other vehicle to transport juveniles as required.
• Responds to emergencies & prevents escapes or incidents, which threaten safety or security of facility, staff, juveniles, or general public by intervening when conflict occurs to de-escalate (e.g., utilizes verbal prevention strategies & approved physical fight break up techniques).
• Conducts inspections & searches of juveniles, personal items of employees, visitors & designated areas, makes rounds to ensure orderly movement of juveniles, monitors safety & security of buildings & grounds of juvenile correctional facility.
• Oversees youth assigned activities (e.g., recreation, community service, religious service)
• Completes necessary documentation (e.g., youth behavioral & incident reports, daily logs, progress reports, & activity slips for medical services).
• Facilitates group discussion to assist youth in development of goals & objectives & identify & accept problems.
• Attends treatment team meetings to discuss needs & problems of youth.

• High school diploma or G.E.D.
• Valid driver’s license
• Must successfully complete a Juvenile Correctional Officer assessment
• Must be 21 years of age at time of application
• Background checks will be issued

Candidates must successfully complete all phases of the 3 week pre-service training, which includes initial certification in approved physical restraint techniques. Candidates must also successfully complete annual in-service training, which includes re-certification in C.P.R./first aid, response to resistance & emergency response training. As well as maintaining a valid driver’s license.

May work evenings, nights or rotating shifts; needs to be available for mandatory overtime; assigned shift may include weekends and holidays; exposed to communicable diseases and youth who are hostile and sometimes violent.