Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist II, Shift Supervisor, Suffolk Detention Unit

Job Title

Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist II, Shift Supervisor, Suffolk Detention Unit (260003XY)

The Department of Youth Services seeks a dynamic, service‑mindful individual to supervise and support young people aged 12‑20 in a residential detention setting. The incumbent works directly with the Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist I, ensuring safety, security, and youth development within the facility.

• Observe youth conduct and prevent disturbances, escapes, and unsafe behavior.
• Maintain custodial care, conduct rounds, head counts, and searches to ensure safety and compliance.
• Supervise and monitor up to six JJYDS I staff, ensuring task completion and safety.
• Assume shift leadership in the absence of the JJYDS III.
• Conduct intake, document incidents, and log daily operations.
• Maintain resident, program, and department documentation.
• Provide crisis and behavior management, facilitate group meetings, and support youth development.
• Deliver leadership through role modeling and participation in staff meetings and training.
• Facilitate orientation of new staff and deliver training on emergency procedures.

• Understand and apply laws, rules, and policies governing the unit.
• Knowledge of secure residential and rehabilitative care, including PYD and DBT.
• Ability to supervise, plan, assign work, and evaluate subordinates.
• Proficient in gathering information through records review, questioning, and observation.
• Maintain a calm demeanor in stressful and emergency situations.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Experience building rapport with diverse populations.

• Experience working with juveniles or adult offenders in residential care or treatment.
• Demonstrated ability to interact with youth safely and supportively.
• Program measurement, reporting, and evaluation skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel).

• Minimum age 21.
• Physical ability to restrain or subdue youth and perform required lifting (up to 55 lbs).
• Must possess or be able to obtain a valid driver’s license for assignment as required.
• Must complete and maintain certification in crisis intervention, suicide prevention, CPR, AED, and first aid.

• Exposure to verbal and/or physical confrontations.
• May be required to restrain youth.
• Standard 40‑hour week; extended hours, nights, holidays, weekends, and occasional travel may be required.

1:00 PM – 11:00 PM (Thursday, Friday, Saturday); mandatory overtime required.

$58,229 – $78,653 per year (subject to collective bargaining agreement).

Comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, retirement, and paid time off (details to be provided upon hiring).

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply. The Department of Youth Services does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic.

Requests can be sent to EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests or by contacting the Office of Human Resources.