JOB TITLE: JUVENILE JUSTICE REGIONAL DIRECTOR, DHS

JOB CODE: 41875

DEFINITION: This is professional, administrative work within the Department of Human Services (DHS) managing, directing, and coordinating juvenile justice programs for adjudicated delinquent youth for an assigned region within the Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services (BJJS).

An employee in this job plans, organizes, coordinates, and directs comprehensive treatment, social development, and rehabilitation programs for delinquent youth for an assigned regional office. Work involves evaluating and establishing program goals, objectives, and standards; interpreting federal and state juvenile delinquency and children and youth legislation, regulations and departmental policies and procedures; developing regional staffing standards; and overseeing safety and security functions. Work also includes formulating and directing the implementation of uniform administrative and programmatic policies and procedures; implementing corrective action plans to ensure regional facilities’ compliance with state and federal regulations; and collaborating and providing technical assistance to the Office of Children, Youth and Families (OCYF) on licensing issues, investigations, program operations, and policy development involving juvenile detention facilities. Work requires extensive public contact and coordination with the Pennsylvania Juvenile Justice System, local public-school districts, affected families, and other state and community agencies and organizations to improve state and private sector juvenile justice services within the region. Supervision is exercised over Juvenile Justice Complex Directors and other professional, administrative, and support staff. Work is reviewed by the Director of the Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services, OCYF through conferences, reports, and evaluation of results achieved.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.):

• Establishes goals, objectives, and standards in (or using) the Master Case Planning System for the treatment and rehabilitation of delinquent youth.

• Develops and implements region-wide programmatic policies and procedures.

• Coordinates and evaluates comprehensive and specialized social development, behavior modification, clinical treatment, rehabilitative services, and daily living activities programs.

• Confers with juvenile court judges, probation officers, police, social services agencies, and interested individuals and community groups on juvenile justice issues.

• Directs the overall coordination of regional juvenile justice program activities with local public-school districts, the Pennsylvania Juvenile Justice System, affected families, and other state and community agencies and organizations.

• Oversees the preparation and presentation of recommendations to the juvenile courts supporting the release, transfer, or retention of adjudicated delinquent youth.

• Directs the investigation of suspected and reported cases of alleged child abuse or other employee misconduct within the region and takes appropriate action on substantiated cases.

• Ensures the safety and security of adjudicated delinquent youth and facility staff throughout the region.

• Oversees the preparation, maintenance, and submittal of correspondence, records, and reports throughout the region.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• Employees in this job may participate in the performance of their subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the physical and emotional needs, behavioral problems, and group behavior dynamics of adjudicated delinquent youth.

• Knowledge of rehabilitative treatment programs for adjudicated youth, such as recreation, social development, behavior modification, education, and therapeutic activities.

• Knowledge of the principles and methods of case management.

• Knowledge of the Pennsylvania Juvenile Justice System.

• Knowledge of the principles and methods of juvenile justice program planning, coordination, implementation, and evaluation.

• Knowledge of health, safety, and first-aid practices.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of effective supervision.

• Knowledge of the use and functionality of Microsoft Office Suite software.

• Ability to develop and analyze policies, procedures, and practices for application to juvenile justice facility management.

• Ability to apply critical thinking skills to identify and resolve problems.

• Ability to analyze and interpret policies, procedures, and regulations.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities):

• Five years of professional counseling experience with delinquent, pre-delinquent, or socially maladjusted youth in an organized program, which includes four years of professional managerial experience, and a bachelor’s degree in the behavioral sciences, special education, juvenile delinquency, or criminal justice;

                                                                                                                                                                                 or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training that includes four years of professional managerial experience.