Juvenile Justice Specialist - South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit, Franklin

Overview

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.

• 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.

• 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 benefits, pay increases, paid leave and holidays, as well as opportunities for career advancement.
• Telework: No telework option.
• Salary: Starting annual salary $56,646 before taxes for new employees in Pennsylvania.
• Communication regarding this position will be via email. Check email, including spam/junk folders, for notices.

• 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; 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 within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree are considered to have met the educational requirements.

• You must be at least 21 years old at the time of application.

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

• 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.
• 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.

• Pennsylvania law provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, see Pennsylvania’s Veterans Employment Resources page.

• Contact 711 for assistance with hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals.

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.