Sergeant - JDC

Job Purpose

Under general supervision of the Captain, the Sergeant will assist in instructing and directing Juvenile Correctional Officers in providing youth with a safe and secure environment that fosters healthy decision‑making and supports rehabilitation of at‑risk youth. The role plays an essential part in ensuring orderly facility operations and the safety and well‑being of all youth and staff.

• Engage with youth throughout the day to ensure their safety, security, rehabilitation, and well‑being.
• Maintain frequent and helpful communication with youth.
• Serve as a mentor for new security staff and support them in maintaining youth headcount and required reporting.
• Respond physically and appropriately to emergency situations.
• Conduct routine and unannounced security inspections and frisk searches of youth after movement.
• Ensure each youth’s basic needs are met and maintain knowledge of the security status of all assigned youth.
• Serve on all facility posts, including specialized units.
• Provide training, direction, and guidance to staff to assist them in carrying out their responsibilities.
• Supervise and control youth and staff in specialized programs, services, and activities.
• Assist with shift operation supervision of employees and youth as needed.
• Assist in maintaining the shift schedule and coordinate staff coverage.
• Make routine inspections of all units to ensure compliance with procedures.
• Ensure units have adequate supplies of clothing, linen, cleaning supplies, and hygiene items.
• Ensure proper grooming of youth in unit.
• Assist directly with crisis intervention disputes and control disruptive behavior.
• Refer acute problems to appropriate staff and mediate disputes between youth and JCOs.
• Provide input on performance evaluations of officers as requested.
• Ensure subordinate staff complies with agency policy, procedure, federal and state law.
• Complete required reports concerning incidents involving youth or employees.
• Perform other mandatory security‑related duties as required.
• Serve as a member of the on‑call management team and respond to facility needs.

• A high school diploma.
• Must be an officer in compliance with and certified under CLEE within six months of employment, achieving an 80% rate on the competency/proficiency exam and possessing supervisor and teaching skills.

• Knowledge of state laws, institutional rules, regulations, and requirements for the control of youth/Child Abuse Statutes.
• Knowledge of secure facility practices.
• Experience in instructing, handling, and supervising youth in various activities.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and non‑verbal.
• Judgment and initiative in a variety of situations.
• Ability to build healthy relationships with youth to promote respect and trust, managing challenging behaviors professionally.
• Ability to establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships with employees, families, and the general public.
• Valid state driver’s license and ability to operate a state vehicle.
• Ability to follow a daily schedule, document events and activities, and supervise multiple youths effectively.

• A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or related field, accompanied by experience supervising, mentoring, and interacting with at‑risk youth.
• Age 21 or older with a valid driver’s license and high school diploma or equivalent, plus 18 months of experience in correctional, security, military, or police work.
• Completion and maintenance of all required DJJ training courses.

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health, dental, and life insurance
• 15 days annual vacation leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• State retirement plans and deferred compensation programs
• Discount programs such as Ticketat Work and We Save