DJS RESIDENT ADVISOR TRAINEE

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

Allegany County

Green Ridge Youth Center

10700 Fifteen Mile Creek Road

Flintstone, MD 21530

Frederick County

Victor Cullen Center

6000 Sabillasville Road

Sabillasville, MD 21780

Garrett County

Backbone Mountain Youth Center

124 Camp 4 Road

Swanton, MD 21561

Washington County

Western Maryland Children's Center

18420 Roxbury Road

Hagerstown, MD 21740

A DJS Resident Advisor Trainee is the entry level of work providing supervision and guidance to youths residing in a facility operated by the Department of Juvenile Services. Guides, directs, and organizes youth, while maintaining safety and security, care, custody and program continuity in accordance with established DJS policies and facility procedures. Perform a limited range of duties with some independence at times and under close supervision at other times. Additionally, the purpose of this position is to provide direct care coverage over a continuum of shifts.

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.

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.

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

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.

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 21years 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.

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will be evaluated.  The evaluation may 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 education, experience, dates and hours of work.  Once applicants demonstrate in the application the required qualifications, they will be deemed qualified and referred to the hiring manager for consideration.

Applicants must meet the selection standards required and successfully complete the training prescribed by the MPCTC; to be eligible for the training, candidates must: Provide evidence of being a U.S. Citizen or Resident Alien; successfully complete both a background investigation and a physical examination; successfully undergo a psychological evaluation.  

Once hired, Resident Advisors will be subject to being on-call 24 hours a day and therefore must have a telephone at their place of residence; Substance abuse testing; Once hired, Resident Advisors may be assigned duties that require the operation of a motor vehicle;  Employee assigned these duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland; required to operate large vans for transportation of youth; Employees assigned these duties will be required to acquire a Class C Maryland driver’s license.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

Online applications are strongly preferred.  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 email your application, you must include on each page of the attached, your First and Last Name, the Recruitment Number that is located at the top of the bulletin, and the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number.  The paper application must be received by 5:00 p.m. close of business on the closing date for this Recruitment.  No postmarks will be accepted. 

Forward to:

Maryland Department of Juvenile Services

1 James Day Drive

Cumberland, MD  21502

Attention: Heather Roach, Recruitment Unit

Recruitment # 23-002599-0002

Fax #: 301-722-1642

Should additional information regarding the Recruitment be required, please contact the DJS Office of Human Resources at heatherr.roach@maryland.gov, include the Recruitment Title and Number that is located at the top of the bulletin.  The resulting certified eligible list for this Recruitment may be used for similar positions in this other State of Maryland agencies.

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

We thank you Veterans for their service to our Country and encourage them to apply.

TTY Users:  Call via Maryland Relay.