Juvenile Justice Careers

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Apply Now! We're hiring for a variety of positions statewide including:
Youth Behavior Specialists, Youth Counselor Technicians, Juvenile Court Counselors and more!
Positions available immediately in Cabarrus, Granville and New Hanover counties.
Explore the map below to find openings near you.

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Job Description

Youth Services Behavioral Specialists work to ensure the safety and security of the juveniles in our youth facilities. This position helps to implement individual and group treatment plans to affect behavioral changes required for youthful offender rehabilitation while providing security, controlling and maintaining custody and safeguarding juveniles from each other.  The Youth Behavior Specialist documents all events that occur on the shift, including, but is not limited to, shift logs, reports, incident reports, inspections and progress notes which are entered into a web based application. The juveniles that this position works with present complex, co-occurring disorders requiring high levels of clinical skills and cognitive and behavioral interventions. This position is subject to close personal and physical contact with multiple juveniles and decisions made impact the protection of state property, the physical safety of the juveniles, staff and the employee.

Job Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a related human services field, such as Criminal Justice, Sociology, Education, Religion or similar subjects shall include 25 semester hours of coursework related to the human services field; or Bachelor's degree in human services field, criminal justice or related human services field from an appropriately accredited institution; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Weekend and holiday shifts required.

Selected applicant must attend and successfully complete and pass the Juvenile Justice Officer Basic Training certification program. The certification requires four weeks to complete and is comprised of classroom and physically demanding training. This training is carried out at regional training centers and requires consecutive overnight stays. In addition the selected candidate must:

  • Have or be able to obtain required certification(s) as a Juvenile Justice Officer (i.e. a diploma)
  • Pass a Criminal Background check and pass a Drug Screening test
  • Pass a Psychological test and pass a Sexual Risk Screening test
  • Pass a Physical
  • Be a US citizen and at least 20 years of age
  • Have a valid driver’s license

Skills & Abilities

  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of staff.
  • Ability to organize and prepare accurate records, charts, and reports and to analyze such information.
  • Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form
  • Ability to apply the proper methods and procedures to physically restrain juveniles and defend self.

Management Preference

  • Ability to utilize judgment in determining and adapting techniques and strategies to deescalate a variety of situations.
  • Skill in establishing rapport and understanding the problems presented by a delinquent juvenile.
  • General knowledge of characteristics of human behavior and delinquency.
  • General knowledge of basic relationships and supportive counseling techniques.

Benefits

Hiring salary range $36,614 - $48,058 annual salary

  • Candidates for this position are eligible to receive a shift premium (10%) when assigned to either 2nd or 3rd shift
  • Advancement potential through promotional opportunities
  • State retirement plan
  • North Carolina State Employee 401(k) Plan
  • North Carolina State Employee insurance coverage
  • Sick leave and annual leave
  • Workers compensation
  • Specialized training
  • Military training leave
  • Community service leave

Job Description

The Youth Counselor Technician directly monitors and supervises juveniles housed in our facilities, throughout all daily activities including school, recreation and meals. The work is subject to close personal and physical contact with juveniles.  Safety and security duties include: maintaining a secure environment, routinely monitoring and observing juveniles, maintaining compliance with cleanliness and sanitation standards.

Youth Counselor Technicians provide feedback to the treatment team including completing documentation of safety violations and security breaches, activity briefing for shift personnel, crisis intervention events, behavioral problems/issues, and youth progress updates.

Job Requirements

Minimum of an associate degree in a human services field, criminal justice, or related human services field from an appropriately accredited institution; or High school or General Education Development diploma, and two years of related human services experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  Applicants for positions are designated as Juvenile Justice Officers and are subject to and must meet hiring and training standards. Shift work is required for this position. Weekend and holiday shifts required.

Certification

Selected applicant must attend and successfully complete and pass the Juvenile Justice Officer Basic Training certification program. The certification requires four weeks to complete and is comprised of classroom and physically demanding training. This training is carried out at regional training centers and requires consecutive overnight stays. In addition, the selected candidate must:

  • Have or be able to obtain required certification(s) as a Juvenile Justice Officer (i.e. a diploma)
  • Pass a Criminal Background check and pass a Drug Screening test
  • Pass a Psychological test and pass a Sexual Risk Screening test
  • Pass a Physical
  • Be a US citizen and at least 20 years of age
  • Have a valid driver’s license

Skills and Abilities

  • Effective oral and written communication skills and the ability to establish rapport and successfully interact with a variety of individuals;
  • Possess visual acuity, alertness and awareness of surrounding activities;
  • Ability to apply the proper methods and procedures to physically restrain juveniles and defend self if properly trained.

Management Preferences

  • General knowledge of institutional programming techniques for delinquent juveniles;
  • General knowledge of behaviors exhibited by adjudicated juveniles;
  • General knowledge of supportive counseling techniques.

Benefits

Hiring salary range $35,416 - $51,525 annual salary

  • Candidates for this position are eligible to receive a shift premium (10%) when assigned to either 2nd or 3rd shift
  • Advancement potential through promotional opportunities
  • State retirement plan
  • North Carolina State Employee 401(k) Plan
  • North Carolina State Employee insurance coverage
  • Sick leave and annual leave
  • Workers compensation
  • Specialized training
  • Military training leave
  • Community service leave

Job Description

Juvenile Court Counselors work directly with youth and their families, providing counseling and intervention services. Court counselors have daily opportunities to help North Carolina's troubled youth succeed. Our court counselors have a wide range of responsibilities as they guide youths through North Carolina's juvenile justice system.

The work of a court counselor frequently takes them to homes, schools, agencies, juvenile justice facilities and other locations. They spend a majority of their time in court and traveling around the community to work with youth, families, teachers and other service providers. Court counselors are employed in all 100 NC counties. These professionals provide intake and supervision services for undisciplined and/or delinquent juveniles, through a continuum of services geared toward providing both care and control.

Job Requirements

Bachelor's degree in a human services field such as social work, psychology, counseling, or criminal justice from an appropriately accredited institution and two years of experience in counseling or working with the juvenile/family client population and/or related human service case management experience; or Master's degree in a human services field from an appropriately accredited institution and one year of experience in counseling or working with the juvenile/family client population and/or related human service case management experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Certification

Selected applicant must attend and successfully complete and pass the Juvenile Justice Officer Basic Training certification program. The certification requires four weeks to complete and is comprised of classroom and physically demanding training. This training is carried out at regional training centers and requires consecutive overnight stays. In addition the selected candidate must:

  • Have or be able to obtain required documentation for certification as a Juvenile Justice Officer (i.e. a diploma).
  • Pass a Criminal Background check
  • Pass a Drug Screening test
  • Pass a Psychological test
  • Pass a Sexual Risk Screening test
  • Pass a Physical
  • Be a US citizen
  • Be at least 20 years of age
  • Have a valid driver's license

Knowledge

  • Adolescent development and behavior and the dynamics of juvenile delinquency, group norms, and family dysfunction;
  • Practical application of different counseling approaches, crisis intervention;
  • Social agencies and community resources relevant to program needs.
  • Wide range of behavioral, socioeconomic, and psychosocial problems and their treatment.

Skills and Abilities

  • Analyze facts and opinions objectively and impartially in evaluating complaints against juveniles and in developing plan of supervision;
  • Make sound decisions;
  • Develop and maintain effective relationships with juveniles and their families;
  • Communicate and consult effectively with others.

Management Preferences

  • Ability to prepare written reports.
  • Public speaking; present programs to educate juveniles and their families, agency personnel and the general public.
  • Knowledge of computers and applications.

Benefits

Hiring salary range $43,076 - $65,760 annual salary

  • Advancement potential through promotional opportunities
  • State retirement plan
  • North Carolina State Employee 401(k) Plan
  • North Carolina State Employee insurance coverage
  • Sick leave and annual leave
  • Workers compensation
  • Paid holidays
  • Specialized training
  • Use of state vehicle
  • Military training leave
  • Veterans apprenticeship program
  • Community service leave

Job Description

Work involves the assessment of juvenile and family needs to develop and implement plans for treatment and complying with court orders; monitoring juvenile and family progress through home visits, residential placement, or Youth Development Center, office, and school visits, and contact with other human service agencies providing services to the family; and, providing transitional and post-release supervision and support services to facilitate community re-entry and continuing treatment needs.  Work may also include restraining a juvenile and transporting him/her to a detention facility.

If selected as a trainee, you will have the opportunity to participate in a 12 to 24-month training progression. 

Job Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a human services field (social work, psychology, counseling, or criminal justice)  OR a Master’s degree in a human services field.  No experience required.  

Certification

Selected applicant must attend and successfully complete and pass the Juvenile Justice Officer Basic Training certification program. The certification requires four weeks to complete and is comprised of classroom and physically demanding training. This training is carried out at regional training centers and requires consecutive overnight stays. In addition, the selected candidate must:

  • Have or be able to obtain required documentation for certification as a Juvenile Justice Officer (i.e. a diploma)
  • Pass a Criminal Background check
  • Pass a Drug Screening test
  • Pass a Psychological test
  • Pass a Sexual Risk Screening test
  • Pass a Physical
  • Be a US citizen
  • Be at least 20 years of age
  • Have a valid driver's license

Skills & Abilities

  • In maintaining effective working relationships with others to be successful in achieving a common goal.
  • In talking to others to convey information effectively.
  • To analyze, organize and prioritize work while meeting multiple deadlines.
  • To use computer software to maintain electronic records and database.           
  • To exercise independent judgment.

Management Preference

  • Knowledge of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety's Juvenile Justice Section.
  • Ability to prepare effective written reports.
  • Public speaking - ability to present programs to educate juveniles and their families, agency personnel and the general public

Benefits

Beginning trainees with a required Bachelor's degree but no directly related experience will begin at the minimum salary of $34,000 and will follow a 24-month trainee progression.
Those with a required Master's degree, but no directly related experience, might be eligible to earn a beginning salary based on the 12-month increments shown below.  At the time of this posting, the salary progression is as follows:
 
Salary Increase Schedule

  • Minimum     $35,000
  • 6 months     $35,833 (2.5% increase)
  • 12 months   $36,666 (2.5% increase)
  • 18 months   $37,500 (2.5% increase)
  • 24 months   To be set by agency based on internal equity

Positions in this class are assigned to a progressive career development program under supervision. Work assignments are characterized by defined objectives and specific guidelines, developing an overall understanding of the Court Counselor and court role over time. The Juvenile Court Counselor Trainee classification is intended as a resource to attract entry-level talent in various fields to the State. It is expected that incumbents who perform successfully in this level will be allocated up to a permanent class.
 
Through this structured training program, you will gain progressively complex exposure and opportunities to receive certifications, shadow other Juvenile Court Counselors, and with guidance and mentoring, carry a case load, coordinate services and prepare and present court recommendations until you achieve independence.   Once fully qualified, you will be eligible for continued professional development, in-service trainings and workshops.

  • Advancement potential through promotional opportunities
  • State retirement plan
  • North Carolina State Employee 401(k) Plan
  • North Carolina State Employee insurance coverage
  • Sick leave and annual leave
  • Workers compensation
  • Paid holidays
  • Specialized training
  • Use of state vehicle
  • Military training leave
  • Veterans apprenticeship program
  • Community service leave