Posting number: 190446
Department: Department of Juvenile Justice
Division: Security & Operations
Job classification: Correctional Officer
Posting type: Open
Categories: Corrections
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Join the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice as an Intake Officer!
Are you ready for an exciting, rewarding career where you can make a real difference in the lives of at-risk youth? Join the South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (SCDJJ) and help transform young lives while building a stronger, safer community.
NEW STARTING SALARY: $47,682
We are hiring Intake Officers to maintain safety and security at our Midlands Evaluation and Development Center (MEDC):
The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (SCDJJ) 's mission is to impact and transform young lives, strengthen families, and support safer communities through targeted prevention and rehabilitation.
Open to ALL experience levels.
Our comprehensive training program equips new officers with skills in communication, de-escalation, crisis intervention, defensive tactics, first aid, report writing, and more. You'll learn from experienced trainers who prepare you for a meaningful career in corrections and law enforcement.
Our way of rewarding YOU for your commitment!
Annual bonuses based on years of service: 0-4 years: $2,500, 5-9 years: $3,000, 10+ years: $4,000.
The MEDC Intake Officer is responsible for the secure, lawful, and orderly admission of youth at the assigned facility. This position ensures each youth is properly received, identified, searched, documented, and oriented in accordance with state laws, agency policies, and facility procedures. The Intake Officer plays a critical role in maintaining facility safety, safeguarding youth rights, and ensuring accurate intake records while coordinating with courts, law enforcement, medical staff, and other facility personnel to support appropriate placement and supervision decisions.
Facilitate the admission, transfer, and release of youth entering or exiting the secure facility.
Verify legal documentation, complete intake and release processing, conduct required screenings and searches, and ensure all procedures are completed accurately and in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
Maintains centralized oversight of facility operations by documenting and tracking all youth movement, formal head counts, recreation periods, housing assignments, admissions, releases, and other significant facility activities.
Coordinates movement throughout the facility to ensure safety, security, and accountability.
Answers telephones and radio communications and ensures information is communicated to appropriate staff.
Monitors security cameras, alarms, radio traffic, and facility activity to identify safety and security concerns.
Notifies appropriate staff of emergency situations, coordinates response efforts, and maintains situational awareness to support facility security and operations.
Maintains accurate, confidential, and timely records related to intake activities, youth information, property inventories, medications, funds, movement logs, security checks, and operational events.
Ensures all items are properly documented, secured, and accounted for in accordance with agency procedures.
Provides overall administrative and operational support to facility management by directing traffic flow, preparing and completing required operations paperwork, coordinating communications, supporting security operations, and assisting with special assignments.
Perform other job-related duties and tasks as assigned by the supervisor to further support the agency’s mission and values:
A high school diploma or equivalent. Must be at least 21 years of age and have a valid driver's license.
Ability to learn state laws/institutional rules/regulations/requirements for the control of youth/Child Abuse Statutes.
Ability to learn the purpose/methods/practices of secure facilities.
Ability to learn various methods of instructing/handling/supervising youth in various activities.
Interpersonal skills, patience and both verbal and non-verbal communication skills.
Ability to exercise good judgment/initiative in a variety of situations.
Ability to build healthy relationships with youth and effectively communicate with them in order to promote respect and trust with them and manage challenging behaviors in a mature and professional way and in accordance with training.
Ability to establish/maintain satisfactory working relationships with fellow employees/families/general public.
Ability to maintain safety and security according to policy and training.
Ability to follow a daily schedule, be accountable to the facility processes, document events and activities, and supervise multiple youths effectively.
Experience supervising, mentoring, or interacting with at-risk youth.
The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:
Applications are incomplete if you fail to answer all supplemental questions, education, and work history. Incomplete applications are not referred to hiring managers. Applications are accepted until 5:00 p.m. on the stated closing date.
You will be asked to provide a certified transcript if selected for a position requiring a degree. A background investigation will be conducted that may include but is not limited to, criminal records, driver's license, and child abuse registry prior to an offer of employment. Additionally, a medical examination and drug testing will be required. Please provide an explanation for any gaps in employment. A resume may be attached to your application but not substituted for completing the work history section of the application.
Why do more than 5 million people call South Carolina home? The answer is easy. From the beach to the mountains, the Palmetto State offers something for everyone. Sunny summers and mild winters allow residents to experience the outdoors year-round.
The state has eight metropolitan areas, including Anderson, Charleston, Columbia, Florence, Greenville, Hilton Head, Myrtle Beach and Spartanburg. Great universities and colleges, minimal commute times and friendly people make South Carolina the ideal place to build your future.
