Job Duties
The Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) protects the public by preparing court-involved youth to be successful citizens. DJJ is committed to excellence in public safety by providing effective interventions that improve the lives of youth, strengthening both families and communities within the Commonwealth.
We are hiring for a Special Response Team (SRT) Watch Commander to oversee the special response team's security operations. The SRT Watch Commander will also provide supervision to the Special Response Team Correctional Specialists to ensure a safe and secure environment for youth and staff. You will be responsible for responding to facility emergencies 24/7 and ensuring all written documentation is complete and accurate. Works a schedule to facilitate effective monitoring of the extended activities and submits monitoring reports to the Chief of Security and Superintendent. Conducts briefings, de-briefings, and after-action reviews of all special operations.
Working hours will be Monday through Friday, 8 AM - 5 PM with a 1-hour meal break. Rotating weekends. Schedule subject to change due to the needs of the facility, which may include evening hours. Subject to the draft. Schedule assignment is to be determined.
Core Responsibilities: (Not limited to)
1. Administrative Duties-HR Management - Interviewing, selection and hiring of employees is conducted in accordance with policy and law; employees are oriented and trained to effectively accomplish their work.
2. Administrative Duties-Capital Resource Management - Effectively manages costs for overtime, wage employment, and contractual services by maximizing use of resources, scheduling effectively, and delegating and distributing workloads appropriately.
3. General Juvenile Record/BADGE Duties - Promptly and accurately document BADGE and other juvenile information in accordance with DJJ policy and procedure. Handle confidential and sensitive juvenile information in accordance with laws, policies, and DJJ guidance, including encrypting emails containing sensitive information (e.g., §16.1-223, §16.1-300, 6VAC35-160, 6VAC35-170)
4. Implements PBIS Behavior Management Program - Aligns PBIS expectations to the daily schedule. Gives feedback to youth as they work towards meeting PBIS expectations. Provides PBIS points as prescribed to youth within the facility wide PBIS framework.
Plans, Directs, and Manages Special Response Team Operations - Drafts, reviews, implements and regularly evaluates special response team policies, procedures, and Post Orders consistent with facility needs. Manages and coordinates scheduling, including creating and maintaining a master schedule, and oversees timekeeping for institutional safety and security with minimal overtime and optimal use of available resources. Manages duty rosters and continually assesses available personnel before operations begin to ensure that posts are covered, as required by policies and procedures
5. Provide Supervision - Supervise directly and through subordinate staff, security operations to maintain a safe and secure environment and to achieve goals of reduction in Serious Incident Reports (security related), and resident, and staff injuries. Directly supervise the Assistant Watch Commander(s) and subordinate staff.
6. Administrative Duties / On-Call - Serves as administrator on-call in accordance with the established schedule. Serves as administrator on-call during normal working hours (0900hrs-1700hrs). Serves as administrative backup and after-hours, weekend, and holiday on-call emergency contact for the facility.
Essential Skills: (Not limited to)
7. Skilled in conflict resolution and crisis intervention, performance management, employee development, and security procedures
8. Demonstrated ability to work independently; effectively communicate orally and in writing; prepare and review records and reports.
Minimum Qualifications
9. Extensive experience implementing security functions and coordinating with multi-disciplinary team members.
10. Demonstrated considerable experience with supervisory and management techniques in a security setting.
11. Considerable experience planning and directing all levels of security staff to maintain security related functions.
12. Comprehensive knowledge of the principles and techniques of security in a secure residential/correctional setting.
13. Well-versed in conflict resolution and crisis intervention.
Additional Considerations
14. DCJS General Instructor Certification.
15. Defensive Tactics Certification.
16. Certified Special Response Team Member.
17. Specialized training to include tactical response, high-risk transportation operations, institutional evacuation operations support, riot/disturbance control, and intelligence gathering and analysis related to gang activity and criminogenic behavior.
Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.
Application Process:
Individuals desiring to be considered for this position must submit a completed employment application or you may attach a resume before the position’s closing date. Applications received after the closing date will not be considered. Applications sent through postal mail, email, or fax will not be considered.
Applicants are encouraged to be specific regarding job-related knowledge, skills, and abilities.
You will be provided an email confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application. Status updates will not be provided via telephone or email.
Background & Pre-employment Screenings:
Selected applicants are subject to a background investigation and pre-employment drug screen. Investigations may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI); local agency checks; employment verification; verification of education (if required and relevant to employment); credit checks; and other checks based on the position.
Pre-employment medical screenings are required for some DJJ positions.
Reference Check: At least two references' names and contact information will be required from all finalists who advance in the selection process.
Driver License: A valid driver’s license is required of DJJ employees to operate a state-owned or leased vehicle.
Supplemental Questions:
You may be required to respond to position-specific questions at the end of this application. This information may help us evaluate your credentials and qualifications for the job. Failure to respond to any questions may disqualify you from further consideration.
Lay off Policy 1.3:
If you have been impacted by the DHRM Policy 1.3 layoff and have a valid Interagency Placement Screening Form (Yellow Card) or Preferential Hiring Form (Blue Card), it is necessary to submit the card before the closing date for this position. You can include the Card as an attachment with your state application.
DJJ Welcomes Veterans:
DJJ is committed to recruiting, hiring, and retaining qualified Veterans and their spouses. Veterans who are hired into state positions may be eligible to receive additional leave accruals based on their total years of service in the military, National Guard, or Reserve. If applicable, please submit form DD-214 with your state application.
The Commonwealth of Virginia welcomes all applicants authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship is not provided; therefore, applicants must be a citizen or national of the U.S., a Lawful Permanent Resident, or an alien authorized to work.
Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable Accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact our Human Resources Department for further assistance.
Equal Opportunity Employer: The Department of Juvenile Justice practices fair and equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. It is our policy to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, political affiliation, genetics, or disability in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce. Qualified individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. It is our goal to foster a culture that demonstrates the principles of civility, diversity, opportunity, and inclusion.
Contact Information
Name: DJJ Talent Acquisition Team
Phone: Please email your questions to ov
Email: ov
In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter.