DCS SERGEANT - 11042026-82517

Opening: 11/04/2026 12:00 AM CT — Closing: 11/10/2026 11:59 PM CT. Full‑time position in Somerville, TN (Fayette County) with the Department of Children’s Services. Monthly salary $4,098 – $6,160 (annual $49,176 – $73,920). A criminal background check is required; applicants may need to provide criminal history information.

About the role

This classification performs supervisory children’s services work of average difficulty. It is the second supervisory class in the DCS Officer sub‑series. The incumbent works in an institutional setting providing student and worker supervision as an assistant shift supervisor at a large institution or a supervisor of two shifts at a small institution, and may be assigned to a fixed or other schedule. The role differs from a DCS Corporal (lesser supervisory scope) and a DCS Lieutenant (supervises all employees on a shift at a large institution or provides 24‑hour supervision at a small institution).

Responsibilities

• Coordinates staff to ensure the institutional schedule is followed properly and timely without compromising safety and security.
• Supervises a small staff of DCS Officers and DCS Corporals; acts as shift supervisor in the absence of the DCS Lieutenant or assists with shift operations.
• Assigns staff to posts according to institutional needs and monitors all security posts daily for procedural compliance and youth needs.
• Observes all areas for unusual activities or procedure violations by staff and/or youth.
• Provides constant supervision of institutionalized youth by maintaining security.
• Authorizes searches of youth, staff, and areas to prevent and detect contraband.
• Documents significant events in the shift report (e.g., fights, medical emergencies).
• Advises superiors of events requiring immediate attention.
• Addresses and resolves youth and/or staff conflicts immediately before escalation.
• Verifies youth counts recorded by the Central Operations Center.
• Authorizes transport of youth off campus for appointments (court, medical, etc.).
• Explains appropriate behavior expectations to youth and staff.
• Addresses and corrects inappropriate youth and staff behaviors.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Education equivalent to graduation from a standard high school.
• Experience equivalent to two years of full‑time increasingly responsible youth or adult security work, including at least one year of residential youth security work.
• Qualifying full‑time employment in the youth security field with the State of Tennessee may substitute for the required education on a year‑for‑year basis.

Necessary Special Qualifications

• Must be at least 21 years of age on the date of application.
• Must be a citizen of the United States.
• Must possess a valid driver’s license prior to and during employment.
• Must have good moral character as determined by investigation.
• Must complete a criminal history disclosure form in a manner approved by the appointing authority.
• Must have no felony conviction.
• Must agree to release all criminal history records to the appointing authority.
• Must supply a fingerprint sample for a TBI fingerprint‑based criminal history records check.
• Must submit to and pass a pre‑employment screening test for illegal drug use.
• Must submit to and pass a pre‑employment physical exam administered by a licensed physician related to the essential functions of the position.

Tennessee Driver Standards

• Valid driver’s license required.
• For the past five years, the candidate’s driving record must not show: DUI, reckless driving, license suspension for moving violations, or more than four moving violations.
• Driver’s license information must be included under the Licenses and Certifications section of the application. Agencies may allow exceptions based on other factors.

Skills

Competencies

• Decision Quality
• Directs Work
• Communicates Effectively
• Action Oriented
• Self‑Development

Knowledge

• Administration and Management
• Public Safety and Security
• Law and Government

Skills

• Complex Problem Solving
• Time Management
• Writing
• Critical Thinking
• Speaking

Abilities

• Deductive Reasoning
• Inductive Reasoning
• Reaction Time

Tools & Equipment

• Telephone
• Video Recording Equipment
• Handheld Radio
• Computer

Pay

Monthly: $4,098.00 – $6,160.00. Annually: $49,176.00 – $73,920.00.