Youth Engagement Specialist Jobs

MISSION
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.
JOB PURPOSE
The Youth Engagement Specialist is a member of the Youth Engagement Team and is primarily responsible for providing assistance to DJJ youth and staff regarding a youth's negative behavior. This position will provide service to the entire campus and assist with youth in the Intensive Treatment unit and other places In Laurel Unit for safety reasons. This position will respond to calls from DJJ staff to intervene with disruptive youth or who otherwise require one-to-one intervention & supervision. This service will assist in reducing the agency's use of Isolation and directly provide case management services to youth on Y.E.S. caseload.
JOB DUTIES
Provides prompt responses to calls for assistance and provides direct case management, behavioral de-escalation, re-direction, and intervention to youth who exhibit resistant, uncooperative and disruptive behavior.
Will work on units/pods as necessary. Assists with providing direct services to youth through mentoring a co-facilitation of social skills groups for youth who are demonstrating resistant behavior.
Provides assistance with the youth population as deemed appropriate by providing direct supervision of youth who are acting out behaviorally or at risk of harm to self or others. Conducts follow up observations of youth interactions with staff and peers; assists management in assessing the effectiveness of the behavior support systems; promotes youth success; provides feedback to management and individual staff; maintains a working of the least restrictive alternatives to isolation of room confinement.
Collaborates and consults with Y.E.S. Team and administration in the ongoing development of behavioral strategies and management practices that Incorporate methods supported by evidence-based research, Confers with clinical, school and Institutional DJJ staff to assist In developing effective behavior plans and behavior contracts for Individual youth; helps ensure those plans are being carried out effectively; provides training as requested or institutional and other staff on Implementation of behavioral management practices.
Observes and prepares reports regarding youth's behaviors; recommends positive behavior strategies and ongoing support plans to be Implemented by unit and other staff. Develops and maintains strong working relationships with the unit, school, and clinical staff, as well as develops and creates opportunities to relate to youth in a positive and reinforcing manner, establishing relationship of trust and support for both staff and youth.
Performs all other duties and tasks and required related to the mission of the agency.

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 may be 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: