For additional information about the Department of Youth Services and its programs please watch: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gyP0kCJ181nBakh9Cc0pNNEyPw7kAoI6/view

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Collaborate as a part of a team to oversee, supervise, and provide advocacy, guidance, encouragement and support to the youth in their daily activities that include classrooms and afternoon leisure/sports, mealtime, hygiene, and clinical sessions.
• Serve as a role model to youth and assist them in developing coping skills and social and life skills while providing guidance and support through daily interactions in order to facilitate their re-entry into the community.
• Monitor and maintain a clean, safe, and secure environment free of contraband by completing required program security measures including but not limited to supervision rounds, head counts, indoor and outdoor security checks and searches of youth and visitors.
• Observe the conduct and behavior of youth assigned to the program and take appropriate action as trained to prevent disturbances or self-harm and to ensure the safety of staff/ youth in compliance with established policies, regulations and procedures.

Required Qualifications:

• Capacity to establish a rapport with youth and staff from different ethnic, cultural and/or socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to interact with people who are under physical and/or emotional stress.
• Capability to make decisions and act quickly in emergency and/or dangerous situations while remaining calm.
• Proficiency in gathering information by examining records and documents and through questioning and observation as well as exercising discretion in handling confidential information.

• Successful completion of a Physical Ability Test (PAT)

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong written and verbal communications skills.
• Flexibility to work varied shifts, weekends, holidays or nights.
• Ability to take direction and work under the supervision and direction of a senior staff member.

Special Requirements:

• Minimum Age Requirement: 21 years
• Applicants must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.

• Must be able to perform the physical requirement of the job (i.e. Ability to properly restrain or subdue youth through appropriate use of handcuffs or other restraint techniques) if necessary.
• Able to talk and/or hear, stand and walk, run, kneel and climb stairs, as well as lift, carry, push, or pull up to 55 pounds with or without assistance and with or without the use of devices and/or equipment to assist in the lifting effort.
• Based on assignment, incumbents may be required to possess a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to assignment.
• Upon hire, incumbents must complete and maintain a valid certification in crisis intervention, suicide prevention, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and first aid.

Working Conditions:

• Incumbents may be exposed to verbal and/or physical confrontations and potentially dangerous environments.
• Incumbents may be required to physically restrain youth.
• Incumbents will typically work a 20-hour work week.
• Incumbents may be required to travel in-state and based on assignment may be required to travel out of state.

Schedule:

Hours to be worked: 20, Shift: 2nd (1pm-11pm), Days off: Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Employees in this position will be required to perform mandatory overtime.

About the Department of Youth Services:

As the Juvenile Justice agency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Department of Youth Services promotes positive change in the youth in our care and custody. Our mission is to make communities safer by improving the life outcomes for youth in our care. We achieve our mission through investing in highly qualified staff and a service continuum that engages youth, families, and communities in strategies that support positive youth development. For more information, please go to: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-youth-services.

Pre-Offer Process:

Pre-Employment Requirements: Candidates must pass a pre-employment screening which includes: 1) Drug Screening; 2) Psychological Screening; 3) Medical Examination; and 4) Physical Abilities Test (PAT) for direct care positions. If you would like more information, please logon to the DYS website www.mass.gov/dys to access detailed information on the Pre-Employment process.

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori and click on "Information for Job Applicants".

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Applicants must have at least a high school diploma or equivalent.

Based on assignment, incumbents may be required to possess a current and valid motor vehicle driver's license at a class level specific to assignment.

Upon hire, incumbents shall be required to complete and maintain a valid certification in crisis intervention, suicide prevention, Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and first aid.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Title 101 CMR 23.00 ("Regulation"): requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. If you decline to vaccinate you will be required to take mitigation measures mandated by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS) that are consistent with guidance from the Department of Public Health. Failure to take those mitigation measures, including masking, could lead to discipline, up to and including termination.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.