DJS RESIDENT ADVISOR TRAINEE

By law, DJS is a child-serving agency responsible for assessing the individual needs of a referred you and providing intake, detention , probation, commitment and after-care services. DJS collaborates with youth, families, schools, community partners, law enforcement and other public agencies to coordinate services and resources to contribute to safer communities.

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Cheltenham Youth Facility

11001 Frank Tippett Road, Cheltenham, Maryland  20623

A DJS Resident Advisor Trainee is the entry level of work providing supervision and guidance to youths residing in a facility operated by the Department of Juvenile Services. Guides, directs and organizes youth, while maintaining safety and security, care, custody and program continuity in accordance with established DJS policies and facility procedures.

The duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:

Learns to escort groups of youth to and from daily activities at the facility and to supervise their conduct during movement and daily activities;

Learns to observe individual and group behaviors and to determine when intervention or guidance is needed by the youth under his/her care;

Learns to intervene in situations involving agitated or overwrought youth to prevent fights and to de-escalate potentially harmful behaviors, learns to suggest alternative ways of reacting to problems, and may be required to physically restrain youth;

Learns to promote an environment conducive to learning helpful alternative behaviors by encouraging communication among youth and staff, guiding and critiquing group discussions, offering advice at appropriate junctures and serving as a mentor and role model for resident youth;

Learns to monitor the behavior of youth and assist them in complying with daily and weekly schedules of attending classes, completing school assignments, sleeping, eating and performing personal hygiene tasks;

Learns to record behavior observations, prepare progress and incident reports on assigned youth for review by supervisors, and recommend behavioral sanctions;

Learns to inspect residence areas for safety, security and cleanliness; Learns to assess inappropriate behaviors and recommend behavioral sanctions to supervisors;

Attends in-service training on topics, such as crisis prevention, suicide prevention, emergency medical treatments, and behavioral modification models to maintain knowledge of childcare needs, counseling methods and trends in the juvenile justice field and to obtain and maintain certification;  

Learns to assess emergency and crisis situations, make appropriate contacts and referrals, and provide interim emergency medical and other assistance until specialized assistance is available;

May be assigned to a cottage or dormitory post at night;

May accompany youth to community service activities outside the facility

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: None.

Note: The above educational requirement is set by the Maryland Correctional Training Commission in accordance with the Correctional Services Article, Section 8-209.

1. Employees in this classification must complete and successfully pass the Entrance Level Correctional Training Course for DJS staff required for the Maryland Correctional Training Commission certificate during the probationary period.

2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

1. In accordance with the Correctional Services Article of the Maryland Annotated Code, Section 8-209, the Maryland Correctional Training Commission shall establish the minimum qualifications for probationary or permanent appointment of a Department of Juvenile Services employee in a mandated position. These requirements are listed in detail in the Code of Maryland Regulations 12.10.01.04, general regulations of the Maryland Correctional Training Commission, and include:

U.S. Citizenship or Resident Alien status
Must be at least 21years of age
A thorough background check, including fingerprinting and drug testing
An oral interview, and
Physical and psychological examinations.

2. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09.03, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

The incumbent in this position is not a member of a covered bargaining unit and will not be required to pay a bi-weekly service fee to the exclusive representative of the bargaining unit.

Contractual employees who works for an agency covered under the State Employee and Retiree Health and Welfare Benefits Program (the Program), have a current employment contract and work 30 or more hours a week (or on average 130 hours per month) may be eligible for subsidized health benefits coverage for themselves and their dependents.  As a contractual employee, you will be responsible for paying 25% of the premiums for your medical and prescription coverage, including any eligible dependents you have enrolled. The State of Maryland will subsidize the remaining 75% of the cost for these benefits. You can also elect to enroll in dental coverage, accidental death and dismemberment insurance, and life insurance, but will be responsible to pay the full premium for these benefits.

Leave may be granted to a temporary/contractual employee who has worked 120 days in a 12 month period. This leave accrues at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, not to exceed 40 hours per calendar year. 

If you have any questions about this recruitment, please contact the Department of Juvenile Services at 410-230-3460.

A background investigation will be conducted which includes, but is not limited to criminal history, child protective services records, state and national sex offender registry records, employment records, driving records and educational records.

Online application process is strongly urged. If you are unable to apply on line you may fax a paper application to:

Maryland Department of Juvenile Services HQ

120 W. Fayette Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 

Attn: Krysten Gordon, Recruitment #17-002599-0011

Fax number: 410-333-4188

If you choose fax or regular mail you must include on each page of the attachment your First and Last Name, the Recruitment Number that is located at the top of the bulletin and the last 4 digits of your SS#.

The paper application must be received by 5 pm, close of business, on the closing date for this recruitment, no postmarks will be accepted. Incorrect application forms will not be accepted:

DJS values the experience gained by Veterans while serving our country.  Veterans are welcome to apply for all current recruitments.

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

As an equal opportunity employer Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity.