Protective Services Specialist

About the City of Richmond

The City of Richmond is committed to nurturing talent, fostering growth opportunities, and building strong connections within our workforce. Employee benefit enhancements include Virginia Retirement System (VRS), Language Incentive, Referral Bonus, and Tuition Assistance Program.

About the Role

The Department of Justice Services is seeking highly qualified candidates to fill the position of Protective Services Specialist at the Juvenile Detention Center. The incumbent is responsible for providing proper counseling, recreation, and daily living activities for incarcerated residents detained at Richmond Juvenile Detention Center. This position is considered Essential—the incumbent is required to work when the City is closed due to public emergencies, critical or hazardous conditions, and inclement weather. Male applicants are encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities

• Monitoring and enforcing security procedures and department policies and rules
• Directing and supervising daily physical education activities, including dining, recreational, personal hygiene, and housekeeping activities in a secured facility
• Providing for resident's needs, including the delivery of linens and supplies
• Maintaining basic discipline and applying disciplinary measures for residents, including restraints as appropriate
• Counseling residents and conducting psycho-educational groups as required
• Coordinating shift tasks with other counselors; providing support, guidance, and back-up to co-workers as necessary
• Encouraging youths to participate in activities provided by the Center; supervising their participation in comprehensive activity programs including basic arts and crafts, sports, and table games; instructing and participating directly in various phases of the program
• Maintaining daily log, preparing reports and other documents related to daily activities
• Transporting residents to and from Juvenile Detention Facility when necessary
• Inspecting resident's rooms to ensure compliance with all facility policies and procedures concerning possessions, cleanliness, etc.; searching residents for contraband
• Participating in the maintenance of the building, grounds, and department equipment; performing laundry duties as necessary
• Coordinating and/or participating in special programs and projects as assigned
• Attending meetings and training seminars to enhance job knowledge and skills and to maintain certifications
• Eating with residents each meal, supervising seating and serving, as well as table manners and general behavior
• Attending staff meetings for the purpose of exchanging information
• Assisting in admissions and release procedures for residents
• Performing related work as required

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of processes and procedures within the juvenile justice industry such as processing and working with detainees, and maintaining safety and order
• Considerable knowledge of various mental health behavioral needs of detained youth
• Considerable skills operating computer programs such as Microsoft Office suite, electronic databases, and related software applications such as Badge or Empower
• Considerable ability to communicate with various internal and external departments
• Ability to de-escalate adverse situations
• Must have the ability to maintain confidentiality, follow established procedures, use critical thinking, and utilize independent judgment

Minimum Training and Experience:

• Associate's degree in human services, social work, criminal justice, or related field
• Experience working in a secure detention environment or with at-risk youth is preferred
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications

Licensing, Certifications, and Other Special Requirements:

• A valid Commonwealth of Virginia Driver's License within 30 days of hire
• A valid Driver's License with a satisfactory driving record (no more than 6 demerit points in one year; a DWI/DUI conviction within 3 years of the date of application or hire automatically disqualifies an applicant; conviction of more than one DWI/DUI automatically disqualifies an applicant)
• CPR and first aid certification are required within a timeframe established by the City after the initial hire date
• Successful completion of specialized departmental training
• This position will provide an on-the-job training program

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience working in corrections or working with incarcerated youth in a secured facility
• Excellence in communication skills and critical thinking
• Male applicants are encouraged to apply

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Environmental Hazards: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside the City; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.

Physical Requirements: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. The essential duties may require the ability to regularly talk and hear; frequently reach and see; and occasionally perform repetitive motions, lift, walk, stand, crouch, kneel, stoop, and balance. This classification is considered sedentary, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.

This response is AI-generated, for reference only.