Pennsylvania Department of Human Services

THE POSITION

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services, Southeast Youth Development Center has many opportunities for Juvenile Justice Specialist Trainees. These are entry-level jobs with lots of room for advancement.

Successful completion of the six-month training program results in a promotion to a Juvenile Justice Specialist with an increase in salary!

Join Southeast Youth Development Center in this extremely important work providing care for Pennsylvania's most at-risk youth, while fostering hope and opportunity for success.

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

DESCRIPTION OF WORK

As a Juvenile Justice Specialist Trainee you will participate in a six-month formal classroom instruction and in an on-the-job training program designed to develop the knowledge, skills, abilities, and worker traits of a Juvenile Justice Specialist. Work involves attending and successfully completing the Juvenile Justice Academy that includes coursework in professionalism and ethics, adolescent development and behavior, principles of safety, security and supervision, group facilitation skills, effective communication skills, applicable Pennsylvania codes, CPR/AED and basic first-aid, use of mechanical devices, suicide management and awareness, Safe Crisis Management, medication awareness, cultural awareness, fire safety and search procedures. An increase in the utilization of the training and techniques learned will occur with an increase in the knowledge and experience gained through the training period. Work is performed under the direct and close supervision of a Juvenile Justice Specialist Supervisor and/or other higher-level personnel who assign workload, provides guidance and direction, and reviews work in progress as well as upon completion for quality and adherence to established standards, policies, procedures, and regulations.

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

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment.
• Shift work in a 24/7/365 operation, including holidays and weekends. 8-hour shifts with no duty-free lunch. Shifts normally consist of 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM, and 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM. 5-day work week with 2 days off.
  • May change based on operational needs*
• Overtime: As needed, voluntary and possible mandatory
• Shift Work: Yes
• Travel: As needed
• Multiple positions may be filled from this posting.
• FREE PARKING!
• Must be willing to work in Collegeville, Montgomery County
• Department of Human Services provides excellent benefits, contractual pay increases, paid holidays and leave entitlements, opportunity for advancement and shift selection in addition to a great work environment.
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• The starting salary for the Juvenile Justice Specialist Trainee position is $20.80 / hour. Upon successful completion of the six-month trainee program, you will be promoted to a Juvenile Justice Specialist with a salary of $27.15 / hour.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $43,397 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Must meet the Necessary Special Requirement of the position.

Necessary Special Requirement:

• You must be 21 years of age or older 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.

Legal Requirements:

• A conditional offer of employment will require satisfactory completion of a medical examination and a 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).
• 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.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

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.

EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• 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:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning

We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance

We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture

We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks

Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

• Eligibility rules apply.

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