Correctional Officer II - UEDC

Job Responsibilities

Join the Upstate Evaluation and Development Center (UEDC) to maintain safety and security for at-risk youth. Key duties include:

• Diligently ensure compliance with continuous certification requirements.
• Interact with youth to ensure their safety, security, rehabilitation, and overall well-being.
• Maintain frequent, meaningful communication to support their progress.
• Perform assigned duties to provide care, meet basic needs, and ensure the security of all youth under supervision.
• Conduct headcounts regularly, maintain accurate logs, and complete all required reports.
• Respond promptly and appropriately to emergencies, following agency protocols and procedures.
• Perform routine and unannounced security checks and frisk searches as required by policy.
• Serve on various facility posts, including specialized units, to ensure comprehensive coverage and operational efficiency.
• Counsel youth to prevent incidents and redirect inappropriate behavior.
• Enforce the behavior management system consistently and effectively.
• Address disruptions and emergencies using verbal and physical de-escalation techniques per agency policy.
• Communicate observations and interactions with educational, social work, mental health, and medical staff.
• Actively participate in unit team meetings to support youth rehabilitation plans.
• Supervise youth during transportation and movement to ensure participation in required treatment, education, recreation, vocational training, visitation, and other activities.
• Ensure youth receive proper medical care as needed, adhering to agency policies and procedures.
• Submit work order requests to supervisors and maintain a clean, safe environment for youth and staff.
• Comply with agency policies to complete detailed reports on incidents, safety concerns, and operational matters.
• Perform other duties as assigned by supervisors to further the agency’s mission and uphold its core values.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

• A high school diploma or equivalent.
• A U.S. Citizen and at least 21 years old.
• A valid driver's license and attendance, passing, and maintenance of all required SCDJJ training courses and certification requirements.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Understand and apply state laws, institutional rules, regulations, and requirements related to youth control, including Child Abuse Statutes.
• Grasp the purpose, methods, and practices of secure facilities to ensure safety and security.
• Learn and implement various techniques for instructing, handling, and supervising youth across a variety of activities.
• Show strong interpersonal skills, patience, professionalism, and effective verbal and non-verbal communication abilities.
• Show ability to exercise sound judgment and initiative in a wide range of situations.
• Show ability to build and maintain positive relationships with youth, effectively communicating with them to foster respect and trust while managing challenging behaviors in a professional and mature manner.
• Show ability to establish and maintain constructive working relationships with coworkers, families, and the general public.
• Show ability to ensure safety and security by following policies, procedures, and training.
• Show ability to adhere to daily schedules, manage facility processes, document events and activities accurately, and supervise multiple youth effectively.
• Show ability to maintain a valid state driver’s license and operate a state vehicle safely.
• Show ability to wear protective equipment during emergencies or as required by agency policy.

Physical Demands

• Requires mobility and physical capability, including bending, lifting, kneeling (individually or together), and engaging in torque motions.
• Must respond to emergencies, including physically intervening and restraining youth in accordance with agency policy.
• Walks and stands for extended periods, sits in a desk chair for up to eight hours, and visually distinguishes subjects up to 75 yards away.
• Work may occur in extreme heat, cold, humidity, or inclement weather.
• Work schedule requires day, evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts.
• Available for mandatory overtime as needed to meet facility demands.

Environmental and Equipment Requirements

• Maintain a valid state-issued driver’s license and operate a motor vehicle safely.
• Wear protective equipment during emergencies or as required by agency policy.