Djs Resident Advisor Trainee

Grade

ASTD
11

Cheltenham Youth Detention Center
11003 Frank Tippett Rd
Cheltenham, Maryland 20623

The DJS Resident Advisor Trainee position is the entry level of work responsible for providing supervision and guidance to the youth residing in a facility that is operated by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services. The DJS Resident Advisor Trainee ensures supervision and guidance of the youth by observing, interacting and assisting them with everyday life skills and advising them of appropriate alternative behaviors.

The position is assigned a regular shift but may be required to work other shifts, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays as required by staffing needs. The incumbent may be subject to call‑in based on staffing needs.

Mission Statement:
To transform young people’s lives, create safer communities, and forge more equitable systems through community‑based partnerships that hold youth accountable while building on their strengths and support systems.

Vision Statement:
Providing pathways to success for youth and families through partnerships across Maryland.

• Learn to escort groups of youth to and from daily activities at the facility and to supervise their conduct during movement and daily activities.
• Learn to observe individual and group behaviors and to determine when intervention or guidance is needed by the youth under his/her care.
• Learn to intervene in situations involving agitated or overwrought youth to prevent fights and to de‑escalate potentially harmful behaviors.
• Learn to suggest alternative ways of reacting to problems, and may be required to physically restrain youth.
• Learn to promote an environment conducive to learning helpful alternative behaviors by encouraging communication among youth and staff, guiding and critiquing group discussions, offering advice at appropriate junctures and serving as a mentor and role model for resident youth.
• Learn to monitor the behavior of youth and assist them in complying with daily and weekly schedules of attending classes, completing school assignments, sleeping, eating and performing personal hygiene tasks.
• Learn to record behavior observations, prepare progress and incident reports on assigned youth for review by supervisors, and recommend behavioral sanctions.
• Learn to inspect residence areas for safety, security and cleanliness.
• Learn to assess inappropriate behaviors and recommend behavioral sanctions to supervisors.
• Attend in‑service training on topics, such as crisis prevention, suicide prevention, emergency medical treatments, and behavioral modification models to maintain knowledge of childcare needs, counseling methods and trends in the juvenile justice field and to obtain and maintain certification.
• Learn to assess emergency and crisis situations, make appropriate contacts and referrals, and provide interim emergency medical and other assistance until specialized assistance is available.
• May be assigned to a post at night.
• May accompany youth to community service activities outside the facility.

• Education:
  
  Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
• Experience:
  
  None.

• Employment experience within the last 18 months.
• Associate’s Degree in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Social or Behavioral Sciences).

• Employees in this classification must complete and successfully pass the Entrance Level Correctional Training Course for DJS staff required for the Maryland Correctional Training Commission certificate during the probationary period.
• Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the state of Maryland.

• In accordance with the Correctional Services Article, Section 8‑209 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Maryland Correctional Training Commission shall establish the minimum qualifications for probationary or permanent appointment of a Department of…