Juvenile Justice Specialist Trainee - Loysville Youth Development Center, Perry

Job Summary

• Salary: $43,397.00 - $56,646.00 annually
• Location:
  
  Perry County, PA
• Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
• Opening Date: 07/01/2026
• Closing Date: 9/30/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
• Job Number: CS-
• Department:
  Department of Human Services
• Division: HS Bur Juv Jus Srvs Ctrl Rgn
• Worksite Address:
  Loysville Youth Development Center, 10 Opportunity Drive, Loysville, Pennsylvania 17047

Join the Loysville Youth Development Center as a Juvenile Justice Specialist Trainee with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services. This is your chance to build strong skills while helping young people make better choices. In this role, you will learn from experienced staff and grow into a trusted support for youth in need. Take the first step toward a meaningful career that creates real change.

Successful completion of the six‑month training program results in a promotion to a Juvenile Justice Specialist with an increase in salary!

Watch this video to see how you can make a difference!

This role prepares you to grow into a Juvenile Justice Specialist through 6 months of classroom instruction and hands‑on experience. You will build the skills needed to support and guide young people while working under close supervision. As a Juvenile Justice Specialist Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Training Participation: Attend formal classroom sessions and complete assigned learning activities
• Skill Development: Apply new techniques in communication, supervision, and youth engagement
• Safety Practices: Follow procedures for security, crisis response, and safe facility operations
• Professional Conduct: Demonstrate ethical behavior and positive interactions with youth and staff
• Guided
  
  Experience:
  
  Work under supervision while receiving feedback to improve performance

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full‑time employment.
• Current starting salary for the Juvenile Justice Specialist Trainee position is $20.80 / hour; upon successful completion of the six‑month trainee program you will be promoted to a Juvenile Justice Specialist with a salary of $27.15 / hour.
• 2nd and 3rd shifts receive shift differential.
• Department of Human Services provides excellent benefits, contractual pay increases, paid holidays and leave entitlements, opportunity for advancement and shift selection in addition to a great work environment.
• Shift work in a 24/7/365 operation, including holidays and weekends. 8‑hour shifts with no duty‑free lunch. Shifts normally consist of 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM, 3:00 PM – 11:00 PM, and 11:00 PM – 7:00 AM. 5‑day work week with 2 days off.
• May change based on operational needs.
• Travel:
  As needed.
• Overtime:
  As needed, voluntary and possible mandatory.
• Shift Work:
  Yes.
• Multiple positions may be filled from this posting.
• FREE PARKING!
• Must be willing to work in Loysville PA, Perry County.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $43,397.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Qualifications:

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

Other Requirements:

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

Legal Requirements:

• 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…