Title: Special Response Team Juvenile Correctional Specialist

State Role Title: Security Officer IV

Hiring Range: $49,153 – $60,682

Pay Band: 4

Agency: Department of Juvenile Justice

Location: Bon Air JCC

Agency Website: www.djj.virginia.gov

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

The Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) protects the public by preparing court-involved youth to be successful citizens. DJJ is committed to excellence in public safety by providing effective interventions that improve the lives of youth, strengthening both families and communities within the Commonwealth.

We are seeking a Special Response Team Juvenile Correctional Specialist (SRT JCS) who will serve as the frontline responder when situations escalate beyond supervisory intervention. These specialists play a critical role in protecting both staff and residents during high‑risk and emergency incidents. SRT JCS staff must maintain advanced operational readiness and demonstrate the ability to navigate complex, high‑risk environments. The role requires exceptional judgment, resilience, technical proficiency, and a level of coordination that exceeds standard training expectations.

Work Schedule: Determined based on business need

This position requires strong operational awareness and frequent engagement in high‑risk situations. Candidates with leadership experience, specialized certifications, advanced training, or current leadership roles bring valuable expertise that enhances the effectiveness of the SRT team. Special Response Correctional Specialists provide care and supervision to residents in a secure environment, ensuring safe and orderly facility operations. Their work directly supports youth rehabilitation and maintains the safety of residents, staff, and visitors.

Core Responsibilities are not limited to - The SRT role requires staff to perform critical functions that directly support the safety, security, and stability of facility operations, including:

• Serving as a rapid response team during SRT operations, crisis situations, and major security events.
  
• Coordinating with DJJ’s Canine Division for contraband detection efforts.
  
• Enhancing security protocols to prevent contraband infiltration, including drugs, weapons, and illicit communication devices.
  
• Serving as a primary containment force during emergency situations.
  
• Reinforcing security coverage in high-risk areas throughout the facility.
  
• Assisting with high-risk resident transport and movement management during elevated security operations.
  
• Additional defensive tactics trainings and other outside agency trainings (VADJJ).
  
• On Call or after-hours response maybe required for facility disturbances or other issues.
  
  

Essential Duties are not limited to: Implement best practices in supervision, security, and treatment of juveniles in a correctional setting, to provide residents with a safe living environment conducive to growth and change. Oversee and monitor all activities, maintaining security and control in an assigned housing unit community to ensure the safety and well-being of all residents and staff.

• Requires in-person work with juveniles and/or their families in a secure setting.
• Requires ability to work twelve (12) hour shifts.
  
• Requires ability to work mandatory overtime.
  
• Requires ability to report to work during inclement weather.
  
• Requires ability to verbally and physically intervene in emergency situations.
• Responsible for responding to facility emergencies 24/7.

SRT JCS serves as a professional role model and mentor, reinforcing accountability, emotional regulation, and pro-social behavior while maintaining appropriate boundaries. Collaborates effectively within a multidisciplinary team, contributing to case planning, documentation, and individualized treatment implementation. Communicates clearly and professionally, responds effectively in emergencies, and maintains compliance with all facility regulations and best practices in residential care. Maintains a safe, secure, and structured residential environment through consistent supervision, proactive risk assessment, and enforcement of established policies and procedures.

Minimum Qualifications

• Extensive knowledge of security principles and techniques within a secure residential or correctional setting
  
• Experience coordinating with multiple operational units in a secured environment
  
• Demonstrated ability to apply appropriate restraint methods
  
• Proficiency in operating security tools and equipment
  
• Prior work experience in a correctional facility or secured setting
  
• Considerable experience supervising security staff and maintaining security-related functions
  
• Experience preparing and reviewing reports and documentation

Additional Considerations

• DCJS General Instructor Certification
  
• Defensive Tactics Certification
  
• Corrections Crisis Interventions Team
  
• Certified Special Response Team Member
  
• Specialized training in tactical response, high-risk transportation operations, institutional evacuation support, riot/disturbance control, and intelligence gathering/analysis related to gang activity and criminogenic behavior

Special Instructions

You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Application Process:
Individuals desiring to be considered for this position must submit a completed employment application or you may attach a resume before the position’s closing date. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Applications sent through postal mail, email, or fax will not be considered.

Applicants are encouraged to be specific regarding job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities.
You will be provided an email confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application. Status updates will not be provided via telephone or email.

Background & Pre-employment Screenings:
Selected applicants are subject to a background investigation and pre-employment drug screen. Investigations may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI); local agency checks; employment verification; verification of education (if required and relevant to employment); credit checks; and other checks based on the position.

Pre-employment medical screenings are required for some DJJ positions.



Reference Check: At least two references' names and contact information will be required from all finalists who advance in the selection process.

Driver License: A valid driver’s license is required of DJJ employees to operate a state-owned or leased vehicle.

Supplemental Questions:
You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information may help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.

Lay off Policy 1.3:
If you have been impacted by the DHRM Policy 1.3 layoff and have a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), it is necessary to submit the card before the closing date for this position. You can include the Card as an attachment with your state application.

DJJ Welcomes Veterans:
DJJ is committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining qualified Veterans and their spouses. Veterans who are hired into state positions may be eligible to receive additional leave accruals based on their total years of service in the military, National Guard, or Reserve. If applicable, please submit form DD-214 with your state application.

The Commonwealth of Virginia welcomes all applicants authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship is not provided; therefore, applicants must be a citizen or national of the U.S., a Lawful Permanent Resident, or an alien authorized to work.

Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable Accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact our Human Resources Department for further assistance.

Equal Opportunity Employer: The Department of Juvenile Justice practices fair and equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. It is our policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. It is our goal to foster a culture that demonstrates the principles of civility, diversity, opportunity, and inclusion

Contact Information

Name: DJJ Talent Acquisition Team

Phone: Please email your questions to Porsha.Lewis@djj.virginia.gov

Email: Porsha.Lewis@djj.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.