Community Specialist - Greenville

Job Responsibilities

If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference, consider joining the dedicated people of South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ).

About Us

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.

Do you have a passion for strengthening the community; promoting better mental, physical and societal health and supporting youth? As Community Specialist, you will use your personal skills and experience to maintain a safe environment through appropriate supervision and use of behavioral management skills in order to guide youth through daily living and leisure activities.

Job Duties

Provides case management coordination services to include assessment, interviewing, planning, monitoring, advocacy, direct supervision and intervention of youth referred to the DJJ.

Serves as the primary case manager for youth referred to DJJ through intake or on probation or parole supervision.

Interviews youth, their family and any service providers serving the youth to assess youth's level of functioning, strengths, and needs.

Provides a comprehensive plan of supervision for the assigned youth who may be serving secure commitments, placed in alternative settings or residing in the community.

Develops a comprehensive picture of the youth's service and treatment needs. Intercedes and advocates on behalf of youth and their families to ensure appropriate, timely, and consistent services.

Develops and brokers community services where gap exists.

Provides alternatives to incarceration through the use of graduated responses and promotes community safety.

Maintains case files, to include JJMS data entry, according to Agency Policy and procedures.

Promotes restorative justice practices to address the repair of harm / compensation to victim and community.

Conducts pre-release assessments for appropriate services, living arrangements, and formulates plans for clients re-entry to the community.

Prepares reports and conducts meetings.

Participates in job related training and workshops for professional growth.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

Conducts other duties as assigned, required or requested.

Agency Requirements: A high school diploma and related experience. A bachelor's degree may be substituted for the required related experience.

Note: If any Agency Requirements are listed above, applicants must also meet those requirements to be considered for the position. Salary may vary depending on experience and qualifications. Candidates must present documentation of their attainment of college degree(s) at the time of interview. Documentation must be either an official or unofficial copy of the college transcript or Letter of Verification of Degree from the institution's Registrar's Office. If the candidate selected for the position provided an unofficial copy, it must be replaced with an official copy on or before the HR processing date.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred: A bachelor's degree in behavioral sciences, criminal justice or related field. Experience in strength-based case management and work with community-based programs, criminal justice or equivalent related experience.

Knowledge of federal/state laws and regulations pertaining to juvenile offenders and the juvenile justice system.

Knowledge of the objective, techniques and practices of juvenile justice intake/probation functions.

Knowledge of fact-gathering methods and interviewing techniques.

Ability to develop, enhance and work with community collaborative initiatives.

Ability to organize and maintain a case load. Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

Ability to facilitate and broker services for juveniles, their families and victims.

Ability to utilize a wide range of graduated responses.

Must be proficient in Microsoft and other MS applications.

This position will report to a Community Specialist IV or County Director.

Annually scheduled performance review; information conferences as required or requested. Works independently or in a group with some discretion when needed.

Self-starter capable of operating under limited supervision.

This position performs job duties relating to the custody, control, transportation, or recapture of juveniles within the jurisdiction of the department of juvenile justice, and the employee may have direct and indirect contact with juveniles within the jurisdiction of the department of juvenile justice.

Training applicable to these duties will be provided.

Additional Comments

Applications are incomplete if you fail to answer all supplemental questions, education and work history. Incomplete applications are not referred to hiring managers. Applications are accepted until 5:00 p.m. on the stated closing date.

You will be asked to provide a certified transcript if selected for a position requiring a degree. A background investigation will be conducted that may include, but not limited to, criminal records, driver's license and child abuse registry prior to an offer of employment. Additionally, a medical examination and drug testing may be required. Please provide an explanation for any gaps in employment. A resume maybe attached with your application, but not substituted for completing the work history section of the application.

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• 15 days sick leave per year
• Sign on bonus - Community Specialist
• 13 paid holidays
• Health, dental and life insurances
• State retirement plan and deferred compensation programs
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year