Intake Officer - JDC

About the role

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice (SCDJJ) is seeking Intake Officers to join the team at the Juvenile Detention Complex (JDC). Located in South Carolina, the JDC serves juveniles from most of the state's 46 counties. The department's mission is to impact and transform young lives, strengthen families, and support safer communities through targeted prevention and rehabilitation.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate the intake and release process for youth admitted to and discharged from the secure facility.
• Ensure all admission, transfer, and release procedures are completed accurately and in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
• Review, verify, and process intake documentation, court orders, legal records, and related paperwork to ensure compliance with agency policy and procedures.
• Conduct intake screenings to identify immediate safety, security, medical, mental health, or special needs concerns; perform authorized youth searches (including body scanner, pat frisk, and strip searches) in accordance with agency policy; and coordinate referrals to appropriate facility staff and service providers.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of intake activities, youth information, property inventories, medications, and funds received; ensure all items are properly documented, secured, and accounted for in accordance with agency procedures.
• Respond to and coordinate radio and phone communications, ensuring timely and accurate information flow.
• Effectively observe, report, and respond to security concerns while adhering to established facility policies and procedures.
• Provide overall support to facility operations.

Requirements

STATE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: A high school diploma or equivalent. Must be at least 21 years of age and have a valid driver's license.

Qualifications

• 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.

Skills

• Knowledge of state laws and institutional rules.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage challenging behaviors.
• Physical stamina and ability to perform necessary tasks.

Benefits

The South Carolina Department of Juvenile Justice offers an exceptional benefits package for FTE positions that includes:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health, dental, and life insurance
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days of sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• State retirement plans and deferred compensation programs
• TicketatWork and WeSave discount programs

Pay

New starting salary: $47,682

Schedule

Required to work day, evening, night, weekend, and holiday shifts. Must be available for mandatory overtime as needed to meet facility demands.