Youth Behavioral Specialists

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.

 

Apply to be a Youth Behavioral Specialist

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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.
     

Hiring salary range $34,850 - $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