Director of Youth in Transition

the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).

It is the mission of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) to impact and transform young lives, strengthen families, and support safer communities through targeted prevention and rehabilitation.

The Youth in Transition Director is responsible for leading, coordinating, monitoring, and overseeing program services related for youth who are classified as graduates at secure facilities. This position provides managerial and operational oversight of the Graduate Program and the Work Program to ensure services are delivered effectively and in alignment with departmental goals, policies, and standards. The Director of Youth in Transition plays a key role in connecting graduate youth to advanced skill‑building opportunities, job readiness programs, and career pathways.

• Directs and oversees the implementation, coordination, and daily operations of the Graduate Program and Youth Work Program within secure facilities to ensure services are delivered effectively, consistently, and in compliance with agency policies, procedures, and standards.
• Develops, manages, and evaluates transition‑focused programming that prepares graduate youth for successful community reintegration through workforce development, vocational training, job readiness, career exploration, life skills development, and educational advancement opportunities.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative partnerships with internal departments, educational providers, workforce development agencies, employers, community organizations, and service providers to expand employment, training, certification, and reentry opportunities for graduate youth.
• Monitors program performance, operational outcomes, youth participation, and compliance through data collection, reporting, facility reviews, and quality assurance activities; identifies trends and implements corrective actions and continuous improvement strategies as needed.
• Supervises and provides leadership, guidance, coaching, and support to assigned staff responsible for transition and graduate services, ensuring staff are properly trained, program expectations are implemented with fidelity, and youth‑centered practices align with the agency’s rehabilitative mission.
• Performs additional duties as directed by the supervisor to support division priorities, emergency needs, special projects, or evolving operational requirements within Security and Operations.

STATE

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• A bachelor's degree and experience in student services programs.

• Knowledge of evidence‑based interventions, behavior management strategies, and de-escalation techniques for working with at‑risk youth.
• Basic knowledge of and experience working in youth correctional or secure residential settings.
• Ability to lead groups and develop training materials or instructional modules.
• Ability to plan, lead, and facilitate meetings and structured work sessions.
• Ability to work effectively with challenging or resistant youth.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate professionally with staff from multiple disciplines and with community partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Skill in planning, managing, and evaluating programs and services.
• Work is conducted in a secure, structured correctional setting and requires compliance with all safety, security, and institutional protocols at all times.
• Position requires the ability to remain alert and responsive in dynamic environments that may involve behavioral or emotional youth interactions.
• Requires the ability to sit, stand, and walk for extended periods of time as program and operational needs require.
• Po…