Youth Specialist; Juvenile Correctional Officer

Job Description - Youth Specialist (Juvenile Correctional Officer)

Agency: Ohio Department of Youth Services (DYS)

Contact: Cally Gilliland, Cally.

Gillilando.gov

Location: Circleville Juvenile Correctional Center, 640 Island Road, Circleville, OH 43113

Primary

Location:

United States of America-OHIO-Pickaway County-Circleville

Unposting Date: Jul 21, 2026, 3:59:00 AM

Compensation: $24.88 - $32.73 (hourly)

Schedule: Full-time

Union: OCSEA

Oversee facility functions providing mentorship and support to youth, ensuring safety, security and positive engagement.

• Provide safety, security, custodial care, and surveillance of assigned youth.
• Utilize provided training to observe, intervene, and de-escalate youth behavior and conflicts.
• Manage and maintain security and positive interactions 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.

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after eligibility period.
• Paid time off including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year.
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave.
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more).
• Public Retirement Systems (OPERS, STRS, SERS, HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation).

High school diploma or G.E.D.; valid driver’s license; must successfully complete Juvenile Correctional Officer assessment; must be 21 years of age at time of application. Equivalency of minimum class qualifications considered. Probationary period is 365 days.

• Job
  
  Skills:
  
  Juvenile Corrections, Security, Criminology/Criminal Justice, Conflict Management, Reasoning, Observation, Attention to Detail, Situational Awareness.

The selected candidate will undergo a pre‑employment drug screening and criminal background check including BCI, FBI, Public Safety, and State of Ohio Taxation. A prior conviction assessment will be conducted before exclusion.

All new candidates hired to the Department of Youth Services must complete paid 4‑week mandatory training. Week 1 at CJCF; weeks 2‑4 in Orient, Ohio (10‑hour days, Monday‑Thursday).

DYS is a “qualifying employer” for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer for individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug‑free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non‑medical cannabis). This position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug‑Free Workplace Policy (HR‑39), and as outlined in the posting.