Security Response Officer

Overview

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of South Carolina's youth, consider joining the dedicated people of the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).

MISSION: 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.

JOB PURPOSE: The Security Response Team (SRT) Officer operates under the direct supervision of the Department of Public Safety or other supervisors. The Security Response Team member contains and controls the immediate crisis area and regains control of the incident by non-lethal force. The Security Response Team Correctional Officer participates in contraband interdiction efforts, including routine/unscheduled searches and shakedowns, searches and frisk of youth and visitors, and gathering intelligence related to contraband control on institution grounds.

The role provides primary support to frontline Juvenile Correctional Officers during transportation and supervision of potentially volatile or aggressive youth.

• Physically respond to emergencies to isolate, control, and quell disturbances beyond routine institutional response.
• Assist directly with crisis intervention disputes amongst youth.
• Assist in controlling disruptive behavior and refer acute problems to appropriate staff.
• Participate in all agency institutional contraband interdiction efforts.
• Conduct routine and pre-scheduled searches and shakedowns of youth and visitors within correctional living areas or grounds.
• Involve routine institutional searches, shakedowns, strip searches (for cause), frisk searches of youth, and provide presence at institutional entry gates.
• Provide security assistance for normal activities and special programs.
• Assist in movement, transportation, and supervision of potentially volatile or aggressive youth.
• Prepare written reports of actions taken and communicate institutional matters for briefing other officers and supervisors.
• Draft, write, and/or dictate clear, concise reports of contraband findings and shift reports for dissemination.
• Be available for recall in emergency and non-emergency situations requiring additional support personnel.
• Maintain flexibility to work various schedules and remain familiar with policies governing contraband control, searches, property, and visitation.
• Attend training and maintain certification required by CLEE and agency policy.
• Perform other duties as directed by the Director of Public Safety and/or the Inspector General.

• A high school diploma and relevant experience; a bachelor’s degree in a related field may substitute for the required experience.

• Ability to meet and maintain certification by the Continuing Law Enforcement Education (CLEE).
• Ability to learn state laws, institutional rules, regulations, and requirements for the control of youth and child abuse statutes.
• Knowledge of the purposes, methods, and practices of secure facilities.
• Ability to learn various methods of instructing, handling, and supervising youth in activities.
• Ability to exercise good judgment and initiative in diverse situations.
• Ability to establish and maintain satisfactory working relationships with youth, colleagues, families, and the public.
• Must perform restraints on youth without restrictions.
• Willingness to work any shift and stay over if necessary.
• Ability to work in locked quarters, bend, lift 50+ lbs, remain mobile, and work around youth without restrictions.
• Position may involve custody, control, transportation, or recapture of youth; training will be provided.
• Must possess the ability to pass a semi-annual physical fitness test.

• A high school diploma and relevant supervisory experience; bachelor’s degree may substitute for required supervisory experience.
• Must be 21 years of age.
• 18 months of experience in correctional, security, military, or police work required; must attend and complete all required DJJ training.
• Must pass a drug test and…