Youth Security Specialist II - Campus at Lookout Mtn

Job Title

This position provides 24-hour/7 days per week supervision of youth in DYS State Operated Secure Facilities.

This position is direct-care and essential. To maintain safety and security through appropriate supervision of youth, to organize and direct daily living and leisure activities of youth, in accordance with the living unit master schedule, shift supervisor and/or other administrative direction. Provide corrective cognitive, emotional or behavioral experiences within a secure Youth Center program using a trauma responsive approach. To be aware of and adhere to prevailing legal standards, CDHS Policy, DYS Policy, DYS Audit Standards and Youth Center specific procedure.

This position serves a complex adolescent population with various behavioral health disorders, trauma, and criminal behaviors. This position functions as a Lead Worker and is partially accountable for the work product of CYSOIs. This position must maintain professional boundaries according to the Policy S-3-30 - Professional Conduct and the Policy S-3-20 - Relationships Between Employees and Youth.

Safety/Security. Work involves providing the direct care, safety, security and supervision of adjudicated and/or pre-adjudicated youth in a locked setting. Supervision for safety is a function of appropriate staff location, mobility and continual observation of youth. Enforce established security rules and behavior of a youth or a group of youth, supervise and direct daily living and leisure activities, orient youth to the unit/facility and agency rules and routines, intervene early in potentially, or actively, volatile situations.

Provide immediate intervention in crisis situations. Employ sound judgment and emotional control when evaluating possible crisis in a timely manner taking into consideration the physical and mental well-being of all juveniles and staff. Participate in defusing and debriefing of all incidents pursuant to prevailing DYS Policy. Monitor movement of youth in unit or through agency, escort and transport to activities or appointments internal and/or external to the agency, conduct searches of persons, property or areas according to schedule or as needed.

Ensure that pat searches and strip searches are conducted by a same sex staff member, except in the case where a juvenile identifies as transgender or intersex, the search is to be conducted according to the juveniles stated preference in accordance with DYS Policy 13.9.Identify, document and seize contraband as directed or appropriate. Check windows, doors, all aspects of locking mechanisms, and facility grounds to minimize escape risk.

Adhere to all Suicide Precaution Monitoring (SPM) Policies and Standards. Monitor SPM status, or other special observation status youth, in accordance with time frames as noted on Room Check Sheet(s). Actively use effective communication skills, verbal de-escalation skills, and a strength based approach when interacting with youth and staff in a positive and respectful manner. When all other attempts to de-escalate youth have failed, adhere to the Division Physical Response Protocols.

Place youth on Seclusion pursuant to prevailing DYS Policy. Monitor, participate, support and enforce behavioral management plans for individual youth as directed (e.g. Behavioral Contracts, Special Management Programs). Monitor medical watches as instructed and required pursuant to time frames noted on the Room Check Sheet(s). Actively supervise to support prevention of sexual contact in the facility, adhere to all PREA Policies and Federal Standards.

Lead Worker Duties (as assigned/required):
Coaches, teaches, and mentors other employees. Role model adherence to DYS Policy and Facility Implementing Procedure at all times. Provides Shift Briefing and communication of pertinent information as it relates to youth and building needs, living unit areas, special status youth, high-risk youth, behavioral contracts and safety plans. Reviews and oversees the proper implementation of Juvenile Suicide Precaution Monitoring (SPM) screening, Special Management Programs (SMP), Seclusion, Behavior Contracts and Safety Plans.

Identifies milieu…