Juvenile Program Officer

Juvenile Program Worker - Long Creek Youth Development Center

Juvenile Program Workers are youth correctional officers and first responders at Long Creek Youth Development Center. The detained and committed juvenile residents of Long Creek are ages up to 21 years old and often have a history of trauma, chronic behavioral issues and/or aggression, and concurrent mental health and substance use disorders. The primary role of this position is to provide safety and security for the justice-involved youth and staff at Long Creek. This includes being a role model, enforcing rules and regulations, monitoring juvenile resident behavior, and utilizing crisis de-escalation techniques in emergency situations.

Through the Maine Model of Corrections, compassion plays a vital role in treating and rehabilitating those in our care. We seek candidates who are able to foster positive relationships with juvenile residents while holding them accountable and maintaining appropriate boundaries. Successful JPWs come from all walks of life. Bring your desire and commitment to be a positive influence and we will prepare you with the best training and education to begin a stable and rewarding career.

Pay Grade: 16 $24.97 - $30.09 hourly (This rate includes $1/hr. institutional stipend)

• No experience necessary. Paid training with State Certification provided.
• Night, Weekend, and Shift Differentials, Premium Overtime Pay, and Merit and Longevity Increases
• Lateral credit considered for experience in working with adolescents or as a Correctional Officer.

Minimum Requirements to Apply:

• At least 18-Years-Old.
• HS Diploma or Equivalent (HiSET, GED, etc.).
• Valid driver's license to apply, Maine driver’s license upon hire.
• No serious criminal or extensive motor vehicle records. See Automatic Disqualifiers at https://www.maine.gov/dps/mcja/training/basiccorrections/standards.htm

Schedule:

• We are a 24/7/365 secured facility with 12-Hour shifts.
• Base schedule of working 7 out of 14 days per pay period. Three days on and four days off one week, then four days on and three days off the next. HALF OF THE SCHEDULED YEAR OFF!
• NO MANDATED OVERTIME ON YOUR SCHEDULED DAYS OFF unless in extremely rare, emergency cases.

Duties:

• Provide a safe and secure environment for adjudicated and detained youth and the staff.
• Ensure compliance with rules and regulations.
• Perform searches of living quarters and areas, buildings, and grounds.
• Transport juvenile residents to court, appointments, and daily activities.
• Observe and report individual and group interactions and resident participation in treatment programs.
• Update logs, maintain detailed records, and share information to support the rehabilitation process.
• Be a mentor and act as a role model.
• Counsel, support, and advise residents regarding peer interactions, rules, and regulations, health and safety standards, and treatment strategies.
• Assist juvenile residents in meeting appropriate standards of behavior.
• Evaluate the potential for negative interactions and respond with trauma-informed interventions and behavior management.
• Communicate with and de-escalate juvenile residents exhibiting difficulty interacting with others in the social environment.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

To successfully perform the assigned work once hired, one must possess certain knowledge, skills, and abilities. These can be learned on the job and through the top-of-the-line education and training that is provided by Maine Department of Corrections. These include:

Knowledge of:

• Adolescent development and behavior.
• Methods of providing care, custody, and supervision of juvenile residents in our care.
• Counseling techniques and modern security principles and practices.
• Trauma informed care.
• Restorative justice practices.

Ability to:

• Model appropriate behavior, attitude, ethics, and morals.
• Provide guidance and leadership to juveniles.
• Communicate clearly and effectively in both verbal and in writing.
• Maintain order and supervise juveniles, individually and in groups.
• Assess adverse situations and act according to appropriate protocol.
• Exercise independent judgment, discretion, and self-control.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Observe and communicate situations and resident behavior in detail.
• Prepare detailed reports of activities.
• Understand and follow instructions, interpret, and enforce youth center rules.

Paid Training & Job Shadow Program

• Job Shadow: New hires start in our paid Job Shadow Program where you will learn the job alongside a certified staff member.
• Education & Certification: Six-Week paid ‘Juvenile Basic Corrections Training Program’ (JBCTP) with State Certification held onsite at LCYDC in South Portland, ME. 

Learn More:

• How to Become a Juvenile Program Worker: https://www.maine.gov/corrections/careers/jpw
• Preparing for Your Interview: https://www.maine.gov/corrections/careers/interview
• Job Shadow Program: https://www.maine.gov/corrections/careers/jobshadow

About Long Creek Youth Development Center:

Located in South Portland, ME, Long Creek is the ONLY secure juvenile justice center in Maine. Our facility is focused on the wellbeing of juvenile residents and staff. We offer multiple programs to support behavioral rehabilitation, educational attainment, and workforce skills for justice-involved youth.

Known for its working waterfront, many parks and lighthouses, and retail outlets and restaurants, South Portland offers suburban living with metropolitan nightlife. Enjoy the land, water, and air by being only minutes from the ocean, a 30-minute drive to Maine’s mountains, and steps away from the Portland Jetport.

Find camaraderie and a sense of belonging when you join our team. We are invested in increasing public safety through improved outcomes for our juvenile residents. This is a great place for applicants interested in public safety, social work, behavioral health, case management, probation, law enforcement, acuity care, adolescent development, advocacy, or psychology. 

About Maine Department of Corrections:

MDOC is destigmatizing corrections for the betterment of all Maine communities. Through the ‘Maine Model of Corrections’, we promote the safety of our staff and residents while reducing barriers to meaningful rehabilitative opportunities. We facilitate restorative justice practices that equip justice-involved residents and clients with the skills they need to become contributing members of society upon release, including treatment, education, and job training. We are committed to rebuilding lives and are searching for great team players, with a professional attitude and well-developed integrity and ethics, to join us in this mission.

State of Maine Benefits (here on down is required BHJR language)

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including: 

• Work-Life Balance – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 96 hours of accrued of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. 
• Health Insurance Coverage– The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 - $12,514.32 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State: https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/benefits/som-health-plan/premium-rates.
• Health Insurance Premium Credit– Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements. https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/benefits/health-premium-credit
• Dental Insurance– The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($350.40 annual value). 
• Retirement Plan– The State of Maine contributes 19% of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.  
• Gym Membership Reimbursement– Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense. 
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts– Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses. 
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness– The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service.
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program. https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/benefits/living-resources
• Parental leave is one of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including fathers and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additional, unpaid leave may also be available, under the Family and Medical Leave Act: https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-employees/rules-policies/policy-practices-manual/Employee-Rights-and-Responsibilities-Federal.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation– Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions. 
• Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness: https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh. 

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.