DJS RESIDENT ADVISOR TRAINEE

State of Maryland - DJS Green Ridge Youth Center • Full-time • Flintstone, MD, US • $48.49k - $74.72k / year • 5m ago

Introduction

The Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) Western Region is accepting applications for Resident Advisor Trainee positions in Allegany, Garrett, Frederick, and Washington counties.

Mission Statement: To transform young people’s 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.

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

GRADE

ASTD11

LOCATION OF POSITION

IMPORTANT NOTE: This recruitment is exclusively for the counties in the Western Region of Maryland only.

DJS Allegany & Garrett Locations

Recruiter: Joseph Curtis

Contact email: joseph.curtis@maryland.gov

Allegany County

Green Ridge Youth Center (GRYC)

10700 Fifteen Mile Creek Road

Flintstone, MD 21530

Garrett County

Backbone Mountain Youth Center (BMYC)

124 Camp 4 Road

Swanton, MD 21561

DJS Frederick County Location

Recruiter: Moses Devaprakasam

Contact email: moses.devaprakasam1@maryland.gov

Frederick County

Victor Cullen Center (VCC)

6000 Sabillasville Road

Sabillasville, MD 21780

DJS Washington County Location

Recruiter: Jenn Berger

Contact email: jennifer.ward4@maryland.gov

Washington County

Western Maryland Children's Center (WMCC)

18420 Roxbury Road

Hagerstown, MD 21740

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.

POSITION DUTIES

The duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

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 cottage or dormitory post at night;

May accompany youth to community service activities outside the facility;

Performs other related duties.

When assigned to the Youth Centers:

Learns to function as a member of the treatment team for individual youth and provide input and information to the DJS Case Management Specialist for inclusion in monthly progress reviews;

Learns to implement, help to evaluate and recommend modifications to youth treatment plans;

Learns to facilitate daily behavioral modification meetings in the absence of the DJS Case Management Specialist.

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 past 18 months

Associate’s Degree in a related field (e.g., 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.

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 operator’s 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:

U.S. Citizenship or Resident Alien status

Must be at least 21 years of age

A thorough background check, including fingerprinting and drug testing

An oral interview, and

Physical and psychological examinations.

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.

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 ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

BENEFITS

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

Using the online application process is strongly urged. However, if you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application to the address below or fax a paper application to the fax number below. If you choose to fax or use regular mail, you must include on each page of the attachment your First and Last Name, the Recruitment Number that is located at the top of the bulletin, and the last 4 digits of your SSN. The paper application must be received by 5 pm, close of business, on the closing date for this recruitment; no postmarks will be accepted. Incorrect application forms will not be accepted:

Maryland Department of Juvenile Services

Joseph Curtis

1 James Day Drive

Cumberland, MD 21502

ATTN: Joseph Curtis

Fax number 301-722-1642

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

The resulting Certified Eligible List for this recruitment may be used for similar positions in this or other State agencies.

Should additional information regarding this recruitment be required or if you have any questions regarding this recruitment, please contact DJS Office of Human Resources at djs.careers@maryland.gov. Include the Recruitment Title/Number that is located at the top of the bulletin.

Bilingual applicants are welcome to apply for all recruitments.

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

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.