GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Provides supervision and direct care for youth in a residential correctional facility. Works to help youth to achieve progress in learning and applying methods to identify and manage reactions to stress and trauma and react in more socially appropriate ways. Uses appropriate intervention methods in response to behavioral issues that seeks to aid in learning and correcting behavior. Maintains a consistent effort to ensure safe environments and employs security measures when youth, staff, or others are in danger. Interacts and engages with youth in ways that both maintain appropriate structure and exercise understanding of brain development in youth with complex trauma. Maintains healthy relationships and boundaries with youth and consistently recognizes progress and good choices made by youth.
Levels of Work Performed by Career Ladder Level:
- Juvenile Correctional Officer III: Performs moderately complex (journey-level) work under general supervision with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
- Juvenile Correctional Officer IV: Performs complex (journey-level) work under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
- Juvenile Correctional Officer V: Performs highly complex (senior-level) work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
- Engages in competency-based training in the techniques and capabilities needed to coach youth under the Texas Model of trauma-informed corrections.
- Holds youth accountable in ways that fit the level of behavior, seeking to help youth to learn socially acceptable responses and approaches.
- Uses good judgment in determining when safety is at risk and higher levels of intervention are required.
- Helps youth to identify their responses to stress, fear, and other triggers and works with the youth to learn ways to increase emotional self-regulation skills.
- Practices and models appropriate self-regulation skills and is able to remain calm during times of stress and crisis.
- Gain a basic knowledge of each youth’s treatment plan and provide support in learning the skills needed to meet those goals.
- Coaches youth on how to resolve conflict with other youth and staff as appropriate.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Must be at least 23 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent.
Preferred:
- College degree or coursework.
- Experience supervising or providing rehabilitation/treatment services to youth or adults in a treatment program, correctional program, or a residential setting (e.g. correctional officer, juvenile detention officer, case manager, counselor, probation officer, or parole officer).
Experience and Education Substitutions:
- Two years of full-time wage earning experience may substitute for high school diploma or equivalent.
Salary (Pay Basis): $3,472.80 - $4,336.45 (Monthly)