GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Provides supervision and direct care for youth in a residential correctional facility. Works to help youth to achieve progress in learning and applying methods to identify and manage reactions to stress and trauma and react in more socially appropriate ways. Uses appropriate intervention methods in response to behavioral issues that seeks to aid in learning and correcting behavior. Maintains a consistent effort to ensure safe environments and employs security measures when youth, staff, or others are in danger. Interacts and engages with youth in ways that both maintain appropriate structure and exercise understanding of brain development in youth with complex trauma. Maintains healthy relationships and boundaries with youth and consistently recognizes progress and good choices made by youth.

Work involves planning, coordinating, leading, and supervising the facility’s recreation program activities, facilitating youth rehabilitation, supervising youth, and coaching their personal development in accordance with individualized treatment plans. Collaborates with the facility’s administrators, program management, and other recreation program JCOs to design and implement the facility’s recreation activities as part of the agency’s rehabilitation strategy.

When not performing primary duties relating to recreation activities, the JCO is assigned to other duty stations to assist with facility coverage and supervision of daily activities related to juvenile rehabilitation. Works assigned shift, is subject to being on-call, and may be required to work in excess of 40 hours per workweek. Occasional travel is required to supervise off-campus recreational activities.

Career Ladder Promotion Opportunity : This position is in the approved TJJD career ladder for Juvenile Correctional Officers. Personnel in this career ladder have the working title of Juvenile Correctional Officer (JCO) - Recreation. JCOs receive career ladder salary adjustments upon meeting established eligibility criteria per agency policy (PRS.15.08) until they reach the top level of the ladder. Placement on the career ladder is dependent upon experience and education. Progression to the highest pay level on the career ladder is dependent upon experience and performance.

Pre-Service Training Academy Requirement: Newly hired JCOs or rehired JCOs who have been separated more than 18 months will be required to attend the pre-service training academy and complete on-the-job training on a full-time basis. JCOs who have worked for TJJD and return to employment within 18 months of their separation date are not required to attend the pre-service academy and will be placed in full-time status on their date of employment.

Levels of Work Performed by Career Ladder Level:

Juvenile Correctional Officer III - Recreation: Performs moderately complex (journey-level) work under general supervision with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Juvenile Correctional Officer IV - Recreation: Performs complex (journey-level) work under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

Juvenile Correctional Officer V - Recreation: Performs highly complex (senior-level) work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Recreation staff will plan and implement: special events, holiday activities, school vacation activities, intramurals, enrichment activities, incentive programs, and facilitate the use of the incentive dorms/motivational areas.

Recreation staff will support youth programming on the dorm by providing materials for leisure, coach led activities, and meeting the specialized needs for the self-contained programs. Documents recreation activities and maintains required records, files, and forms in a timely and accurate way.

In the event recreation staff are unable to be in attendance, recreational staff will collaborate with direct care staff and will provide necessary equipment to direct care staff to facilitate scheduled coach led recreation, leisure recreation, and enrichment activities.

Recreation staff will work cooperatively and collaboratively with co-workers. Proactively provide ongoing mentoring and coaching to JCO’s when needed. Assists co-workers and offers assistance when able. Recreation staff will carry an equal work load.

Recreation staff will be scheduled to work in a manner that best suites the needs of the campus including evening and weekend programming.

In the event recreation staff are unable to be in attendance, recreational staff will collaborate with direct care staff and will provide necessary equipment to direct care staff to facilitate scheduled coach led recreation, leisure recreation, and enrichment activities.

Practices and models appropriate self-regulation skills and is able to remain calm during times of stress and crisis.

Provides for a predictable schedule for youth that is transparent to them and provides warnings and prompts for all movements and transitions; and exercises independent judgment when the need arises to alter a schedule (while still maintaining transparency and warnings).

Rec staff will maintain an inventory of equipment, remove any faulty or malfunctioning equipment immediately and report to appropriate supervisors.

Ensures that youth are protected from any racial, ethnic, or gender-specific disparities.

Performs a variety of related duties not listed, to be determined and assigned as needed.

Performs all duties in compliance with agency safety policies and procedures:

• Reports safety hazards and corrects hazards when possible.
• Completes required documentation in the event of an accident/injury within requested time frames.

Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency attendance and leave policies.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Must be at least 21 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent.

Required:

• Must have a current valid Driver License.

Must meet one of the following:

· be a current Juvenile Correctional Officer III or higher with a minimum 9 months of JCO experience; or

· have (1) year of experience working with adolescents; supervising or providing recreational activities with youth in the community (e.g. youth center leader, coaching experience, direct care staff, activity therapist, recreation coordinator); or

· have a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, behavioral science, kinesiology, physical education or a related field; or

· have two (2) years of active military service, with at least one year in a supervisory capacity as an E-5 or above.

Experience and Education Substitutions:

· Two (2) years of full-time wage earning experience may substitute for high school diploma or equivalent. Qualifying experience includes supervising or providing rehabilitation/treatment services to youth or adults in a treatment program, correctional program, or a residential setting (e.g. correctional officer, juvenile detention officer, case manager, counselor, probation officer, or parole officer).

Applicants with the following will not be considered:

• Convicted or received deferred adjudication for any felony.
• Convicted or received deferred adjudication for domestic violence involving a family member (including non-spouse partners).
• Convicted or received deferred adjudication for official oppression.
• Current requirement to register as a sex offender.
• Arrested for a disqualifying offense that was not expunged before the statute of limitations expired.
• Outstanding warrant.

Applicants with other arrests, deferred adjudications, and convictions may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine suitability for employment.

Pre-employment conditions require acceptable results from mandatory:

• pre-employment drug test;
  • finger printing, criminal records check, and driving record check;
  • Fitness-for-Duty Assessment which may include both physical and behavior evaluations.

Preferred:

• • Experience leading group sports for adolescents. Verifiable documented volunteer experience involving such activities will be considered experience for meeting this preference.
  • Bachelor’s degree with major course work in criminal justice, behavioral science, kinesiology, or a related field.
  • Experience as a Juvenile Correctional Officer.

Note: Any degree, diploma, high school equivalent, or course hours required to meet minimum qualifications must be obtained from an accredited educational institution. Experience requirements may be satisfied by the prorated part-time equivalent.

Requirements for Continued Employment:

• • Obtain and maintain certification in TJJD’s Use of Force techniques, which requires physical restraint of juveniles.
  • Obtain and maintain certification in First Aid and CPR.
  • Successfully complete a defensive driving course approved by the Texas Education Agency or driving safety course offered by the State Office of Risk Management within 90 days after employment in the position or have completed such a course within three years prior to employment in the position.
  • Failure to maintain required licensure/certification will result in termination of employment.

This position is subject to mandatory pre-employment drug testing and any offer of employment is contingent upon acceptable results from a drug screen conducted for the agency.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

Knowledge of:

• Safety and security procedures and practices.
• General counseling and guidance techniques with adolescents.
• Facility rules and regulations.
• Individual and group behavior.
• Child development and the role of the family.
• Causes of juvenile delinquency and current methods of juvenile offender treatment.
• Rules and methods of implementing a wide range of recreational/competitive activities, such as, sports, games, arts, crafts, and hobbies.

Skill in:

• And willingness to physically restrain youth in the appropriate manner.
• Maintaining order and discipline, and act quickly in emergencies.
• Maintaining written files and records.
• Verbal and written communications.

Ability to:

• Plan, schedule, and oversee recreational activities and oversee the maintenance of recreational and athletic equipment and facilities.
• Remain calm and regulate one’s own behavior while helping to serve as a role model for youth who are learning to self-regulate their own behavior.

• Maintain healthy and engaging relationships with youth while maintaining appropriate boundaries important for healthy development.
• Work with youth in an empathetic and understanding manner with sustained positive interactions.
• Communicate effectively with youth to foster youth cooperation in the treatment process.
• Plan and implement youth programs.

• Facilitate group discussions and activities.
• Set limits on youth behaviors when appropriate in a consistent, firm and fair manner.
• Intervene and redirect behavior.
• Appropriately respond to abusive language and behavior in a manner consistent with instructions received in training.
• Remain alert, observant, and physically able to respond appropriately to work situations or emergencies including, but not limited to, physical restraint of youth.
• Learn verbal and physical crisis intervention/de-escalation techniques and emergency treatment procedures.
• Maintain order and discipline.
• Physically restrain youth when necessary in a manner consistent with instructions received in training.
• Explain the progress of the youth to their family members and other treatment staff.
• Interpret rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Accept and adapt to changes in assignments, methods, policies, etc.
• Work collaboratively with all stakeholders and maintain a professional, courteous demeanor.
• Prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments; and meet deadlines.
• Process information logically, make decisions, and demonstrate the soundness of those decisions.
• Document observations and incidents and maintain written files and records.
• Transport youth and travel as necessary.
• Work a variety of shifts, weekends, holidays, and be on-call.
• Work in excess of 40 hours per workweek, and travel, when required.
• Transport youth and travel as necessary.

Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor’s Office at
Criminal Justice MOS Codes.

SPONSORSHIP

Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.