Juvenile Justice Specialist Trainee - Southeast Youth Development Center, Montgomery County
THE POSITION
Join the Southeast Secure Treatment Unit as a Juvenile Justice Specialist Trainee with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services. This is your chance to build strong skills while helping young people make better choices. In this role, you will learn from experienced staff and grow into a trusted support for youth in need. Take the first step toward a meaningful career that creates real change.
Successful completion of the six-month training program results in a promotion to a Juvenile Justice Specialist with an increase in salary!
Watch this video to see how you can make a difference!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This role prepares you to grow into a Juvenile Justice Specialist through 6 months of classroom instruction and hands-on experience. You will build the skills needed to support and guide young people while working under close supervision.
As a Juvenile Justice Specialist Trainee, you will perform the following duties:
- Training Participation: Attend formal classroom sessions and complete assigned learning activities
- Youth Support: Assist adjudicated youth in hygiene, meals, recreation, work tasks, and structured programs
- Safety Practices: Follow procedures for security, crisis response, and safe facility operations
- Team Engagement: Participate in meetings and contribute to group planning and discussions
- Record Keeping: Complete logs, forms, and reports to document daily observations and progress
- Crisis Response: Act prudently in crisis situations and apply trained techniques to maintain order
Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding the duties of this position may be found in the position description.
Work Schedule and Additional Information:
- Full-time employment.
- The current starting salary for the Juvenile Justice Specialist Trainee position is $21.22 / hour. Upon successful completion of the six month trainee program you will be promoted to a Juvenile Justice Specialist with a salary of $27.69 / hour.
- Department of Human Services provides excellent benefits, contractual pay increases, paid holidays and leave entitlements, opportunity for advancement and shift selection in addition to a great work environment.
- Shift work in a 24/7/365 operation, including holidays and weekends. 8-hour shifts with no duty-free lunch. Shifts normally consist of 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM, and 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM.
- 5-day work week with 2 days off.
- Must be willing to work in Collegeville, Montgomery County
- Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
- Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $44,273.00 (before taxes).
- You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Necessary Special Requirement:
- You must be at least 21 years old at the time of application.
Other Requirements:
- PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
- You must be able to perform essential job functions.
Legal Requirements:
- This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
- Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.
- A conditional offer of employment will require satisfactory completion of a medical examination and a drug screening test.
How to Apply:
- Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
- Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
- Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
- All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.