HOW TO APPLY
Complete a State of Texas Application for Employment and the following additional forms (available at https://www.tjjd.texas.gov/careers/):
Failure to complete and submit the above forms will cause delays in your consideration for this position.
Apply Online at https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/644/jobdetail.ftl?job=00058459&tz=GMT-05:00 and attach to the application the above additional forms along with copies of high school/college diploma(s), copy of official college transcripts, any licenses/certifications, and, if a military veteran, any Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214).
Apply through Work-In-Texas at https://www.workintexas.com/vosnet/loginintro.aspx. You will also need to complete and attach to the application the supplemental questions/forms indicated above along with a copies of high school/college diploma(s), copy of official college transcripts, any licenses/certifications, and, if a military veteran, any Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214). The additional forms are available at: https://www.tjjd.texas.gov/careers/) and can be submitted via email to: HRJobsgiddings@TJJD.Texas.gov.
Apply via Email to HRJobsgiddings@TJJD.Texas.gov. Send completed application, supplemental questions/forms, and copies of high school/college diploma(s), copy of official college transcripts, any licenses/certifications, and, if a military veteran, any Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214).
PLEASE NOTE
Your job application must be completely filled out and include all employment, do not limit employment to the past 10-15 years. Your application must contain complete job histories, which include job titles, name of employer, dates of employment (month & year), supervisor’s name and phone number, and a description of duties performed, and whether it was full-time or part-time and hours per week. If any of this information is not provided, your application may be rejected as incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.
Applicants must be able to pass a Criminal Background Check and any other requirements listed under Minimum Qualifications.
BENEFITS
State of Texas Benefits and Retirement Information can be found at https://www.ers.texas.gov. Benefits include: Retirement plan, paid group health & life insurance for employee, paid holidays, paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, longevity pay, educational assistance program, employee assistance program. Optional add-on benefits include: Dental, Vision, Optional Life Insurance, Voluntary AD&D Insurance, Dependent Health & Life insurance, Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts, etc. Additionally, certain designated positions are eligible for hazardous duty pay, career ladder advancements, and free meals while on duty.
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. Facilitates unit programming, schedule, and safety protocols. Utilizes Texas Model interventions and other trained interventions as provided to help youth improve their overall level of safety, communication, and emotion regulation. 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 facilitating youth rehabilitation, supervising youth, and coaching their personal development in accordance with individualized treatment plans. Works assigned shift, is subject to being on-call, and may be required to work in excess of 40 hours per work week. Occasional travel may be required.
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). 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 II: Performs moderately complex (journey-level) work under general supervision with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
Juvenile Correctional Officer III: Performs complex (journey-level) work under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
Juvenile Correctional Officer IV: Performs highly complex (senior-level) work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Engages in competency-based training in the techniques and capabilities needed to coach youth under the Texas Model of trauma-informed corrections.
Holds youth accountable in ways that fit the level of behavior, seeking to help youth to learn socially acceptable responses and approaches.
Uses good judgment in determining when safety is at risk and higher levels of intervention are required.
Helps youth to identify their responses to stress, fear, and other triggers and works with the youth to learn ways to increase emotional self-regulation skills.
Practices and models appropriate self-regulation skills and is able to remain calm during times of stress and crisis.
Gain a basic knowledge of each youth’s treatment plan and provide support in learning the skills and applying Texas Model and clinical interventions recommendations needed to meet those goals.
Coach youth on how to resolve conflict and helps to facilitate repairs with other youth and staff as appropriate.
Participates in the Youth Service Team and provides input into each youth’s treatment plan; and is a responsible and supportive team member, who understands that an effective team is composed of reliable people who provide backup and support for their fellow team members and the facility as a whole.
Provides for a predictable schedule for youth that is transparent to them and provides warnings and prompts for all movements and transitions; and exercises appropriate independent judgment when the need arises to alter a schedule (while still maintaining transparency and warnings).
Implements and monitors youth activities, programs, and behaviors on an individual and group basis, to ensure healthy youth engagement and to provide appropriate role modeling for all youth.
Observes and keeps staff informed daily of significant behavioral medical, social, emotional needs and treatment-related conditions and events known about a youth and/or the group.
Provides services to potentially aggressive/combative youth in a correctional setting with a wide variety of temperaments (volatile, mentally ill, suicidal) and specialized needs (chemically dependent, sexual offenders/misbehaviors, emotionally disturbed, developmental delays, etc.).
Physically restrains and secures, if necessary, sometimes aggressive youth and participates in follow up debriefing conversations to assess the relationship and determine alternative strategies to avoid future physical restraints.
Maintains security in buildings, grounds, and other posts; intervenes during emergencies or altercations to prevent escapes and protect the safety of all youth.
Conducts searches for contraband and health/safety hazards; performs room, property pat, and strip searches of youth as required.
Supervises assigned youth during all of their daily activities, including on the dorm, at school, during meals, and other activities; manages all movements between activities; conducts periodic headcounts; ensures youth engage in required activities; and transfers and transports youth, on foot, in vehicles, and other forms of transportation.
Maintains privacy and follows all policies, regulation, and laws in regards to youth records.
Completes and maintains required records, files, and forms in a timely and accurate way.
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:
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.
OR
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
· College degree or coursework.
· Experience 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).
Requirements: Must be at least 21 years of age.
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.
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.
· Failure to maintain required certification will result in termination of employment.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS
The following physical demands and working conditions are representative of those encountered when performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Analyzing
Ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing
Ability to see
Ability to hear (with or without aid)
Ability to perform tactile discernment
Identifying colors
Depth perception
Operate motor equipment
Heavy lifting, 45 lbs. & over
Heavy carrying, 45 lbs. & over
Restraining combative youth
Pushing
Pulling
Repeated bending
Reaching above shoulder
Prolonged standing and walking
Walking
Standing
Sitting
Crawling
Twisting
Kneeling
Stooping
Manual/finger dexterity
Dual simultaneous grasping
Climbing stairs
Climbing ladders
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES
· Ability to utilize Texas Model levels of engagement to appropriately intervene with youth.
VETERANS
In order to receive veteran’s preference, a copy of your DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), VA disability rating (if applicable), or a DD Form 1300 (Report of Casualty) must be attached to your application.
Go to https://texasskillstowork.com/, https://www.onetonline.org/, or http://www.careeronestop.org/ for assistance translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.
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.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
If you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview. Whenever possible, please give the hiring representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Career Center (https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en), you may also check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and selecting My Submissions.
Thank you for considering employment with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.
AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
The Texas Juvenile Justice Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.