Complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and the following additional forms (available at https://www.tjjd.texas.gov/careers/):
Failure to complete and submit the above forms will cause delays in your consideration for this position.
Applicants must be able to pass a Criminal Background Check and any other requirements listed under Minimum Qualifications.
State of Texas Benefits and Retirement Information can be found at https://www.ers.texas.gov. Benefits include: Retirement plan, paid group health & life insurance for employee, paid holidays, paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, longevity pay, educational assistance program, employee assistance program. Optional add-on benefits include: Dental, Vision, Optional Life Insurance, Voluntary AD&D Insurance, Dependent Health & Life insurance, Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts, etc. Additionally, certain designated positions are eligible for hazardous duty pay, career ladder advancements, and free meals while on duty.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
Performs highly complex (senior-level) work overseeing correctional staff who provide direct care to juveniles in a correctional residential facility. Work involves overseeing the daily operations of a juvenile residential facility; and facilitating youth rehabilitation, supervision of youth, and coaching their personal development in accordance with individualized treatment plans. May plan, assign, and/or supervise the work of others.
Provides supervision and direct care for youth in a residential correctional facility, supervises other Juvenile Correctional Officers during shifts, and ensures the safety and security of youth and staff. Supports, coaches, and mentors other JCOs to teach appropriate methods and positive ways to work with youth. 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. Responds appropriately to youth grievances. May act as Campus Shift Administrator.
Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Works assigned shift; and may be required to work in excess of 40 hours per work week, be on-call, and occasional travel.
Pre-Service Training Academy Requirement: Newly hired JCOs or rehired JCOs who have been separated more than 18 months will be required to attend the pre-service training academy and complete on-the-job training on a full-time basis. JCOs who have worked for TJJD and return to employment within 18 months of their separation date will not have to attend the pre-service academy and will be placed in full-time status on their date of employment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Engages in competency-based training in the techniques and capabilities needed to coach youth under the Texas Model of trauma-informed corrections; and coaches and models appropriate Texas Model techniques and ideals to other JCOs and staff.
Acts as coach and role model to other levels of JCOs to help them learn appropriate methods and interventions, with a strong focus on retention and support for newly hired JCOs in their first year.
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.
Helps JCOs identify and utilize their own self-regulation skills so they are equipped to co-regulate youth.
Gains 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.
Participates in the Youth Service Team and provides input into each youth’s treatment plan; and is a responsible and supportive team member, who understands that an effective team is composed of reliable people who provide backup and support for their fellow team members and the facility as a whole.
Provides for a predictable schedule for youth that is transparent to them and provides warnings and prompts for all movements and transitions; and exercises independent judgment when the need arises to alter a schedule (while still maintaining transparency and warnings).
Implements and monitors youth activities, programs, and behaviors on an individual and group basis, to ensure healthy youth engagement and to provides appropriate role modeling for all youth.
Observes and keeps staff informed daily of significant behavioral and treatment-related conditions and events known about a youth and/or the group.
Provides services to potentially aggressive/combative youth in a correctional setting with a wide variety of temperaments (volatile, mentally ill, suicidal) and specialized needs (chemically dependent, sexual offenders, emotionally disturbed, etc.).
Physically restrains and secures, if necessary, sometimes aggressive youth and participates in follow up debriefing conversations to assess the relationship and determine alternative strategies to avoid future physical restraints.
Maintains security in buildings, grounds, and other posts; and intervenes during emergencies or altercations to prevent escapes and protect the safety of all youth.
Conducts searches for contraband and health/safety hazards; and performs room, property, pat, and strip searches of youth as required.
Supervises assigned youth during all of their daily activities, including on the dorm, at school, during meals, and other activities; manages all movements between activities; conducts periodic headcounts; ensures youth engage in required activities; and transfers and transports youth, on foot, in vehicles, and other forms of transportation.
Responds appropriately to youth grievances.
Maintains privacy and follows all policies, regulation, and laws in regards to youth records.
Completes and maintains required records, files, and forms in a timely and accurate way.
Monitors outcomes for racial, ethnic, and gender disparities and takes action to address identified disparities.
Performs a variety of related duties not listed, to be determined and assigned as needed.
Performs all duties in compliance with agency safety policies and procedures:
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Reports safety hazards and corrects hazards when possible.
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Completes required documentation in the event of an accident/injury within requested time frames.
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency attendance and leave policies.
