DJS RESIDENT ADVISOR TRAINEE

GRADE

ASTD11

LOCATION OF POSITION

Cheltenham Youth Detention Center

11003 Frank Tippett Rd

Cheltenham, Maryland 20623

Main Purpose of Job

The DJS Resident Advisor Trainee position is the entry level of work responsible for providing supervision and guidance to the youth residing in a facility that is operated by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services. The DJS Resident Advisor Trainee ensures supervision and guidance of the youth by observing, interacting and assisting them with everyday life skills and advising them of appropriate alternative behaviors. The position is assigned a regular shift but may be required to work other shifts, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays as required by staffing needs. The incumbent may be subject to call-in based on staffing needs.

Mission Statement: To transform young peopleâs lives, create safer communities, and forge more equitable systems through community-based partnerships that hold youth accountable while building on their strengths and support systems.Â

Vision Statement: Providing pathways to success for youth and families through partnerships across Maryland

POSITION DUTIES

• Learns to escort groups of youth to and from daily activities at the facility and to supervise their conduct during movement and daily activities;
• Learns to observe individual and group behaviors and to determine when intervention or guidance is needed by the youth under his/her care;
• Learns to intervene in situations involving agitated or overwrought youth to prevent fights and to de-escalate potentially harmful behaviors;
• Learns to suggest alternative ways of reacting to problems, and may be required to physically restrain youth;
• Learns to promote an environment conducive to learning helpful alternative behaviors by encouraging communication among youth and staff, guiding and critiquing group discussions, offering advice at appropriate junctures and serving as a mentor and role model for resident youth;
• Learns to monitor the behavior of youth and assist them in complying with daily and weekly schedules of attending classes, completing school assignments, sleeping, eating and performing personal hygiene tasks;
• Learns to record behavior observations, prepare progress and incident reports on assigned youth for review by supervisors, and recommend behavioral sanctions;
• Learns to inspect residence areas for safety, security and cleanliness;
• Learns to assess inappropriate behaviors and recommend behavioral sanctions to supervisors;
• Attends in-service training on topics, such as crisis prevention, suicide prevention, emergency medical treatments, and behavioral modification models to maintain knowledge of childcare needs, counseling methods and trends in the juvenile justice field and to obtain and maintain certification;
• Learns to assess emergency and crisis situations, make appropriate contacts and referrals, and provide interim emergency medical and other assistance until specialized assistance is available;
• May be assigned to a post at night;
• May accompany youth to community service activities outside the facility.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: None.

Note: The above educational requirement is set by the Maryland Correctional Training Commission in accordance with the Correctional Services Article, Section 8-209, Annotated Code of Maryland.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Employment experience within the last 18 months
• Associateâs Degree in a related field (I.e., Criminal Justice, Social or Behavioral Sciences)

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

1. Employees in this classification must complete and successfully pass the Entrance Level Correctional Training Course for DJS staff required for the Maryland Correctional Training Commission certificate during the probationary period.Â

2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operatorâs license valid in the State of Maryland.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. In accordance with the Correctional Services Article, Section 8-209 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Maryland Correctional Training Commission shall establish the minimum qualifications for probationary or permanent appointment of a Department of Juvenile Services employee in a mandated position. These requirements are listed in detail in the Code of Maryland Regulations 12.10.01.04, general regulations of the Maryland Correctional Training Commission, and include:Â

U.S. Citizenship or Resident Alien status

Must be at least 21years of age

A thorough background check, including fingerprinting and drug testing

An oral interview, and

Physical and psychological examinations.Â

2. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09.03, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment will be a rating of your application based on your education, training and experience as they relate to the requirements of the position. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all related experience and education. Applicants who meet the Minimum Qualifications will be placed on the eligible list categorized as QUALIFIED, BETTER QUALIFIED, OR BEST QUALIFIED. Candidates shall be certified to the eligible list for a period of one year. This list will be used by the DJS hiring agency to select employees.

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application process is strongly recommended. If you are unable to apply online, you may submit a completed paper application and supplemental questionnaire via email or fax to the addresses provided below. For fax or mail submissions, please ensure that each page includes your first and last name, the recruitment number (located at the top of the posting), and the last four digits of your Social Security number. All paper application materials must be received by 5:00 PM on the closing date of the recruitment. Applications received after this time, or those submitted with incorrect forms, will not be accepted. Postmarks will not be considered.

Maryland Department of Juvenile Services

OHR-Recruitment & Examination Unit

217 E. Redwood Street

Baltimore, MD 21202

Attn: Alex Droge-Rhine, Recruitment # 26-002599-0002

Fax number 410-333-4188

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the Maryland Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov.

Should additional information regarding this recruitment be required, please contact the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, Recruitment and Examination Unit at djs.careers@maryland.gov. Include the Recruitment Title/Number that is located at the top of the bulletin.

DJS is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in the workplace. Specifically, we value diverse experiences regarding the educational background and justice system contact.

DJS values the experience gained by Veterans while serving our country. Veterans are welcome to apply for all current recruitments.

Bilingual applicants and people with disabilities are welcome to apply for all recruitments.

Candidates with lived experience relating to the criminal/juvenile legal system are encouraged to apply.

We welcome experienced professionals transitioning from federal service to explore rewarding career opportunities.