Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist II- Westfield Revocation

Title:

Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist II (JJYDS II) – Westfield Revocation, Department of Youth Services (DYS)

Location:

Westfield, Massachusetts

The Department of Youth Services (DYS) seeks a dynamic, positive, and service-minded individual to fill the role of Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist II (JJYDS II). The incumbent will work with juvenile justice‑involved young people aged 12–20 years in DYS residential facilities, supporting the Youth Development Specialist I at the Westfield Detention Program.

• Ensure proper security, control, & supervision of each shift and enforce unit policies, rules, and regulations.
• Supervise up to six direct‑report staff, direct activities of staff and residents, plan activities, and coordinate resources.
• Act as a liaison for communication of concerns or problems from direct reports up through the chain of command.
• Maintain custodial care and control of youth to uphold order and security; perform periodic rounds, head counts, security checks and searches of youth and visitors to ensure the youth are accounted for and that weapons and contraband are not present.
• Observe conduct and behavior of youth, take appropriate action to prevent disturbances/escapes, and provide one‑to‑one watch, including suicide, elevated and medical watch.
• Conduct youth intake and complete documentation, establish behavioral patterns, and complete incident reports, transportation, medical, visitor, and daily operation logs.
• Provide crisis and behavior management, facilitate group meetings, develop coping skills, mentor youth, and advocate for their needs.
• Escort or transport youth to activities, recreation areas, meetings, and medical appointments while maintaining order and monitoring participation.
• Maintain electronic records/documents regarding daily behavior and activities of youth, including incident reports.
• Coordinate and oversee activities and programs of the assigned unit to ensure effective operations, proper care, and compliance with laws, rules, regulations, and established standards.
• Supervise and monitor staff deployment, check duty stations, and ensure completion of assigned tasks to maintain safety and security.

• Supervision experience: planning and assigning work, evaluating subordinates, and controlling work through periodic reviews.
• Ability to understand, explain, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing unit activities.
• Knowledge of factors, trends, and challenges in providing secure residential and rehabilitative care to youth, including Positive Youth Development (PYD) and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT).
• Proficiency in gathering information through records, documents, questioning, and observation.
• Capacity to interact with people under physical or emotional stress and maintain calm in stressful or emergency situations.
• Effective communication: oral & written instructions that are precise and understandable.
• Experience establishing rapport with persons from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socio‑economic backgrounds.

• Experience working with youth in residential care, treatment, counseling, or rehabilitation of juveniles or adult offenders.
• Proven ability to interact with youth in a supportive, safe, and encouraging environment.
• Demonstrated program measurement, reporting, and evaluation skills.
• Knowledge of laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures governing unit activities.
• Knowledge of public and private organizations providing services to juveniles (e.g., settlement houses, child guidance clinics, health, welfare, and recreation agencies).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel).

• Minimum age 21 years.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Physical ability to restrain or subdue youth (handcuffs or other restraints) when necessary.
• Physical capacity to walk, run, kneel, climb stairs, lift, carry, push or pull up to 55 pounds with or without assistance.
• Possession of a current valid driver’s license (class level specific to assignment) may be required.
• Upon hire, completion and maintenance of certifications…