Youth Correctional Advisor

A career with Johnson County Government is more than just a job, it is an opportunity to serve a diverse and expanding community in meaningful ways. We challenge ourselves to be a different kind of government because we care deeply about our community and each other. Committed to our shared values, we provide excellent public service, seeking always to improve ourselves and our organization. We offer wonderful benefits, retirement plans, wellness incentives, a great organizational culture, and much more! If you’re searching for something more than just a job, something akin to a calling, then consider the challenge and opportunity of being a member of Johnson County Government!

This posting will remain open until filled or until January 28, 2025.  The next review of applications will be on November 11, 2024, and occur weekly until the posting is filled or closed.  

The start dates for this position are 11/18/2024, 12/2/2024, 12/16/2024, 1/13/2025, 1/17/2025, 2/10/2025, and 3/3/2025.  

Johnson County Department of Corrections is looking for qualified applicants to fill the position of Youth Correctional Advisor at the Juvenile Services Center in Olathe, Kansas.  Qualified applicants will remain as an active candidate for a period of up to 90 days.   

The mission of the Department of Corrections is leading by example, we support and protect our community by encouraging responsibility and positive lasting change for a better future. 

Professional Youth Correctional Advisors (YCAs) support all functions within the Juvenile Services Center, including the Juvenile Detention Center where youths, ages 10-17, are detained for allegedly committing serious offenses.  YCAs are responsible for overseeing youths in daily activities ensuring safety and security while teaching new skills and managing behaviors.  We are a 24-hour, 7 days a week operation.  Shift work and overtime is required.

YCAs are direct care staff, continually interacting with youths that are significantly impacted by adverse childhood experiences.  Because of traumatization, many youths have not yet learned how to regulate their emotions and thoughts.  A youth can become dysregulated quickly, lash out verbally and physically toward peers and/or staff and otherwise engage in self-harming behaviors such as attempting suicide.  There are occasions when a youth becomes so dysregulated or becomes combative that physical restraint is necessary.  We work with some of the most challenging at-risk youths.   As a YCA, you will have the opportunity and responsibility to help shape behaviors and make a positive, lasting change in each youth you interact with.  Working directly with youths it is expected of a YCA to:

• Build healthy relationships, serving as a role-model for appropriate prosocial behavior and attitudes;
• Deploys cognitive behavioral strategies with youths through skill training and role-play exercises to facilitate behavior change;
• Uses motivational interviewing techniques to enhance youth’s intrinsic motivation;
• Teach and model basic expectations such as giving respect to self and others; being on task; acting responsibly; to lead by example; and, to practice safe behaviors;
• Provide frequent positive reinforcement; and,
• Seek opportunities to teach new behaviors, coping skills, de-escalation techniques and emotion regulation.

Not everyone has what it takes to be a professional Youth Correctional Advisor and work in this profession. 

• YCAs must believe in rehabilitation, and the idea that youths convicted of crimes can become successful community members;
• YCAs must be highly adaptable to changes, exemplify teamwork, and support each function within the Juvenile Services Center;
• YCAs must be able to manage their emotions and maintain temperament under stressful conditions; and,
• YCAs must possess integrity, professionalism, humility, humor, and respect.

The job is incredibly demanding and challenging at times; but, it is also incredibly rewarding too. 

The starting wage for this position without experience will start at the minimum of the grade

For more information regarding the duties of a Youth Correctional Advisor, click on this link for a realistic job preview video:  https://youtu.be/WhVqbPJGNSM.  

Minimum Job Requirements:

Twenty-one (21) years of age or older and three semester hours (3) of college-level study in adolescent development, psychology or a related subject; or forty-five (45) clock hours in documented training in child care or child development; or one year (1) of experience as a child care worker, house parent or in the human services field in a facility serving youth; possess a high school diploma or its equivalent; successfully pass a criminal history check; and possess a valid driver’s license.

Applicant must submit to and pass a pre-employment, post-offer drug screen and pass a physical ability test prior to employment.

Johnson County Government requires reference/background screening for all positions.  Specified criteria may vary by Department/Agency.

Preferred Job Requirements:

Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice, Behavioral Sciences, Human Services or related fields and previous corrections or criminal justice related experience.  Experience in a substance abuse treatment setting.

Physical, Environmental, and Special Working Conditions:

Excessive standing and/or walking: 60%

Lifting: Successful completion of physical ability test which includes dragging up to 125 pounds and lifting 50 lbs.

Running in response to emergency situations; client restraint and self-defense training.

On call/stand-by work required.

Shift work

Safety-sensitive job.

Weather Essential job:  Department and County Essential 

Uniform required

Successful completion of physical ability test which includes dragging up to hundred and twenty five (125) pounds, lifting fifty (50) pounds, patting down residents, responding to emergency calls, walking up and down 20 stairs, and donning protective equipment.