Join the South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit as a Juvenile Justice Specialist with the Department of Human Services, Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services. This role gives you the chance to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people. You will help create a safe, structured environment where residents can grow and learn. Step into a position that values dedication, teamwork, and positive change.

Watch this video to see how you can make a difference!

This position focuses on providing supervision, guidance, and care to adjudicated youth in a secure treatment setting. The role supports safety, structure, and personal growth for residents. As a Juvenile Justice Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

Maintain Safety: Monitor residents closely to prevent harmful behaviors and ensure a secure environment
Control Environment: Search residents and facility areas for contraband to protect staff and residents
Guide Daily Living: Instruct residents in hygiene, meals, recreation, work tasks, and treatment activities
Support Treatment: Document behavior, participate in programming and meetings, and assist residents with treatment goals
Communicate Status: Provide clear verbal and written updates about residents and their environment
Model Behavior: Demonstrate pro-social values to support emotional and social growth in residents

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

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

Full-time employment
Work hours include shift work in a 24/7/365 operation, including 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 and overtime as needed. Overtime may be voluntary and possible mandatory.
May change based on operational needs.
Must be willing to accept employment at South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit and commute to this location in South Mountain, Franklin County.
The Department of Human Services provides excellent benefits, pay increases, paid leave and holidays, as well as opportunities for career advancement.
Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $56,646 (before taxes).
You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

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
Successful completion of the Juvenile Justice Specialist Trainee program (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); 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.
Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree

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 a medical examination and drug screening.
This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
1. 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 may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

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.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

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.

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:
1. your score may be lower than deserved.
2. you may be disqualified.
You may only apply/test once for this posting.
Your results will be provided via email.

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Juvenile Justice Specialist - South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit, Franklin County