Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist II, Shift Supervisor, Paul T Leahy

The Department of Youth Services (DYS) is seeking a highly motivated and service‑oriented Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist II (JJYDS II) to serve as a shift supervisor at the Paul T Leahy Center in Worcester, MA.

• Observe the conduct and behavior of youth confined to the facility and take appropriate action to prevent disturbances and/or escapes, maintain compliance with established policies, and ensure the safety of staff and youth.
• Provide one‑to‑one youth watch, including suicide, elevated, and medical watch.
• Maintain custodial care and control of youth to uphold order and security; conduct periodic rounds, head counts, security checks, and searches of youth and visitors.
• Supervise and monitor the deployment of up to six JJYDS I staff, checking duty stations and ensuring task completion.
• Assume responsibilities for the operation of the assigned shift in the absence of the JJYDS III.
• Conduct intake of youth, complete documentation, and record behavioral issues, incidents, and daily operation logs.
• Maintain resident, program, department, and related documentation and improve procedures.
• Provide crisis and behavior management to youth, facilitate or co‑facilitate group meetings, and support the development of coping skills.
• Deliver leadership through role modeling, reinforcement of positive practices, and participation in staff meetings and training sessions.
• Facilitate orientation of new staff and train staff with techniques for group interactions and emergency responses, including restraint practices.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least one (1) year of full‑time or equivalent part‑time experience in a military, at‑risk youth, or justice‑involved setting with responsibilities such as community supervision, safety and security in a 24/7 treatment or detention program, counseling, mentoring, or law‑enforcement duties.
• Alternatively, an Associate’s degree or higher may be substituted for the required experience.

• Ability to understand, explain, and apply laws, rules, regulations, policies, procedures, and guidelines governing assigned unit activities.
• Knowledge of trends and challenges in secure residential and rehabilitative care for youth, including Positive Youth Development (PYD) and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT).
• Proficient supervisory skills, including planning, assigning work, and evaluating subordinates.
• Strong information‑gathering skills via records review, questioning, and observation.
• Capable of maintaining a calm manner in stressful or emergency situations.
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Experience building rapport with individuals 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 engage youth in a supportive and encouraging manner.
• Program measurement, reporting, and evaluation experience.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel).

• Minimum age 21 years.
• Physical ability to restrain or subdue youth and perform required tasks such as walk, run, kneel, climb stairs, and lift or carry up to 55 pounds.
• Current valid driver’s license may be required for the assignment.
• Upon hire, completion and maintenance of certifications in crisis intervention, suicide prevention, CPR, AED, and first aid.
• Valid vaccination records for COVID‑19 and influenza are required.

• Exposure to verbal or physical confrontations and potentially dangerous environments.
• Requirement to physically restrain youth.
• Standard 40‑hour week (five 8‑hour shifts) with possible extended hours, nights, holidays, or weekends.
• In‑state travel and, for some assignments, out‑of‑state travel.

2nd Shift: 3:00 pm – 11:00 pm, Sundays and Mondays off. Mandatory overtime may be required.

Annual salary range: $58,229.08 – $78,652.60, subject to internal pay structure. Staff receive a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, retirement, and paid time off.

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is an equal‑opportunity employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic in accordance with applicable law.