Juvenile Justice Specialist - North East Secure Treatment Unit, Luzerne County

The Department of Human Services, North East Secure Treatment Unit, is seeking a Juvenile Justice Specialist to help guide individuals toward healthier choices. This role allows you to contribute to a supportive setting where safety and encouragement are top priorities. Each day brings a new opportunity to build trust and inspire positive change. This position is ideal for someone who wants to lift up others through steady leadership.

Watch this video to see how you can make a difference!

This position plays a key role in supporting residents and maintaining a secure living environment. It involves active supervision, guidance, and communication to promote safety and personal growth.

As a Juvenile Justice Specialist, you will perform the following duties:

• Resident Supervision: Observe residents closely to maintain safety and prevent harmful actions
• Contraband Searches: Search residents and facility areas to identify and remove prohibited items
• Daily Guidance: Support residents in hygiene, work tasks, recreation, and treatment activities
• Behavior Support: Model positive behavior and offer strategies that promote responsible choices
• Communication Duties: Share updates on residents and the facility through written and verbal reports
• Emergency Response: Act quickly in crisis situations to maintain order and reduce risks

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

• Full-time employment, 5-day work week with 2 days off
• Shift work in a 24/7/365 operation including evenings, holidays and weekends. 8-hour shifts with no duty-free lunch.
  • 1st shift: 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • 2nd shift: 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM
  • 3rd shift: 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the stating annual salary of $57,772.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Two years of experience in the care, custody, activities, or personal guidance of adolescents or adults in a human services or social services program, law enforcement or correctional program, or an educational, community, or military organization; or
• Successful completion of the Juvenile Justice Specialist Trainee program (Commonwealth job title or equivalent Federal Government job title, as determined by the Office of Administration); or
• An associate's degree in social sciences, counseling, restorative justice, juvenile justice, child development, behavioral sciences, human services, criminal justice, education, or a closely related field; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.
• Applicants will be considered to have met the educational requirements once they are within 3 months of graduating with a qualifying degree.

Necessary Special Requirements:

• You must be at least 21 years old at the time of application.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

• A conditional offer of employment will require a medical examination and drug screening.
• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  1. your score may be lower than deserved.
  2. you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.