Juvenile Justice Officer/Juvenile Justice Officer Trainee- New Hanover

Recruitment began on July 1, 2025 and the job listing expires on July 16, 2025. Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention is now hiring Juvenile Justice Officer TRAINEES—no college degree required. If you’re at least 20 years old and have a high school diploma or GED, this is your opportunity to start a rewarding career in public service, with paid training, state benefits, and a clear path for advancement.

Virtual Hiring Event New Hanover Juvenile Detention Center – Juvenile Justice Officer I/ Juvenile Justice Officer Trainee – July 23, 2025 from 9:00AM to 4:00PM. VIRTUAL INTERVIEWS FOR MULTIPLE POSITIONS! Interviews will be conducted on July 23, 2025 from 9:00am to 4:00pm. NOTE: Please be sure to apply before the closing date; applications for this event will not be accepted the day of interviews.

Shift work is required for these positions. Weekend and holiday shifts required. Candidates for these positions are eligible to receive a shift premium (10%) when assigned to either 2nd or 3rd shift. Now Offering Sign-On Bonus of $3,000.00! (Please Note: To be eligible for a sign-on bonus, the candidate must not have worked as a probationary, permanent, or time-limited employee in the last 12 months as an employee in North Carolina state government subject to the State Human Resources Act.) This job classification also qualifies for the employee Referral Bonus program. If you were referred to this job posting by a current DPS employee, and you are hired, that employee could qualify for a referral bonus.

Daily responsibilities include, but are not limited to, duties such as: housekeeping, physical and mechanical restraint of juveniles, medication administration and recreational activities. Positions directly monitor and supervise juveniles in both Youth Development Centers and Youth Detention Centers. Juveniles are supervised while housed, at school, and during all daily activities. The work is subject to close personal and physical contact with juveniles. Safety and security duties include: maintaining a secure environment, routinely monitoring and observing juveniles, maintaining compliance with cleanliness and sanitation standards. Positions provide feedback to the treatment team on juveniles. Daily records are completed to include: documenting safety violations and security breaches, activity briefing for shift personnel, crisis intervention events, behavioral problems/issues, and youth progress updates.

This is NOT an office position; this is a direct care position where you will be providing direct supervision and engagement at a Youth Development Center or Juvenile Detention Center with close proximity to court-ordered youth. Juvenile Justice Officer I’s (Youth Counselor Technicians) enjoy annual salary increases with a step pay plan! Your initial salary is based on your total months of related education and experience above the minimum requirements (Associate’s degree or total of 24 months or equivalent combination of education and experience). Please list all work experience in order for you to receive maximum credit. This will help determine the correct salary and step for potential candidates. Candidates will only receive credit for experience documented on the state application. Once hired, your pay will continue to increase as you gain more related experience up to step 6 and you may also qualify for other promotional opportunities. There are many opportunities for promotional advancement within Juvenile Justice!

The State of North Carolina provides work/life balance, a team-oriented culture, opportunities for advancement, and interesting work. If you are looking to serve others, this is the place for you.

If you are interested in becoming a Youth Counselor Technician but do not yet meet the Education and Experience Requirements, consider becoming a Youth Counselor Technician Trainee! The trainee position only requires a High School Diploma/ GED or equivalent and 20 years of age. Applications for BOTH Youth Counselor Technician and Youth Counselor Technician Trainee positions will be accepted within this posting.

As a Youth Counselor Technician Trainee, work will include:

• Directly monitoring and supervising juveniles while housed, at school, and throughout all daily activities in youth development and youth detention centers.
• Working closely and having personal and physical contact with juveniles.
• Monitoring juveniles, maintaining a secure environment, and ensuring compliance with sanitation standards.
• Completing records daily to include documenting safety violations and security breaches, activity briefing for shift personnel, crisis intervention events, behavioral problems/issues, and youth progress updates.
• Providing feedback to the treatment team on juveniles.

Trainee appointments include participating in a 6 to 24-month training progression, in which trainees are assigned to a progressive career development program under supervision which is designed to ensure trainees develop an overall understanding of their role and its impact over time. The trainee appointment for the Youth Counselor Technician Trainee follows a step progression pay plan. Pay increases follow the following timeline: Minimum starting pay (High School Diploma/ GED or Equivalent AND 20 years of age.) Once fully qualified, trainees will be eligible for continued professional development, in-service trainings and workshops, and a salary increase. It is expected that Youth Counselor Technician Trainees that perform successfully during their Trainee appointment will be moved into a permanent position as a Youth Counselor Technician.

Work Schedule: This is a full-time position. Day shifts are 7AM to 7PM with rotating every other weekend off. Night shifts are 7PM to 7AM rotating every other weekend off. This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits, including paid vacation, paid sick leave, paid holidays, retirement, and health insurance.

About the Division of Juvenile Justice: The Mission of Juvenile Justice is to reduce and prevent juvenile delinquency by effectively intervening, educating and treating youth in order to strengthen families and increase public safety. The Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is committed to the reduction and prevention of juvenile delinquency by effectively intervening, educating and treating youth in order to strengthen families and increase public safety. If you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of North Carolina’s youth, we welcome you to be part of the team.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies: DPS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. The Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs) listed below, along with the Minimum Education and Experience (E&E) are REQUIRED to qualify for this position. All work history and education (including accurate dates of employment/attendance) must be documented on the application. Supplemental Questions are also a required part of the application: answers must reference education or work experience listed on the application. A complete, all-inclusive application maximizes an applicant’s potential to qualify for the position, as well as the highest possible salary. Salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.

To qualify for this position, applicants must demonstrate ALL of the following KSAs:

• Ability to communicate effectively speaking and in writing.

Please note: You must be physically capable of applying the proper methods and procedures to physically restrain juveniles and defend self after being properly trained by the department. The physical demands for this position will be discussed during the interview. Youth Counselor Technician Trainee applicants do NOT need to meet Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required to qualify.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements: Associate degree from an appropriately accredited institution; Or High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and two years of related human services experience; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Please list all work experience in order for you to receive maximum credit. This will be directly related to a possible salary offer. NOTE: If you are within 2 years of meeting the Minimum Education and Experience Requirements for the Youth Counselor Technician position, you may be considered for a Youth Counselor Technician Trainee appointment. The trainee position only requires a High School Diploma/ GED or equivalent and 20 years of age. Applications for Trainee appointments are accepted within this job posting.

Necessary Special Qualification: Applicants for positions designated as Juvenile Justice Officers are subject to and must meet the hiring and training standards established by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, as defined in Title 12, Chapter 9 of the NC Administrative Code, by the statutory authority of GS 17C. Selected applicant must attend and successfully complete and pass the Juvenile Justice Officer Basic Training certification program. The certification requires four weeks to complete and is comprised of classroom and physically demanding training. This training is carried out at regional training centers and requires consecutive overnight stays. In addition, the selected candidate must:

• Have or be able to obtain required documentation for certification as a Juvenile Justice Officer (i.e. a diploma).
• Pass a Criminal Background check.
• Pass a Drug Screening test.
• Pass a Psychological test.
• Pass a Sexual Risk Screening test.
• Pass a Physical (to include Vision and Hearing).