Job DescriptionHOW TO APPLYComplete a State of Texas Application for Employment and the following additional forms (available at
TJJD Employment Application Supplement (HR-003) Child Abuse Registry Check Consent Form (HR-028) Disclosure of PREA Employment Standards Violation (HR-975) Authorization to Release Information (HR-074) Failure to complete and submit the above forms will cause delays in your consideration for this position.Apply Online at 00047245&tz=GMT-05:00 and attach to the application the above additional forms along with copies of high school/college diploma(s), copy of official college transcripts, any licenses/certifications, and, if a military veteran, any Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214).Apply through Work-In-Texas at You will also need to complete and attach to the application the supplemental questions/forms indicated above along with a copies of high school/college diploma(s), copy of official college transcripts, any licenses/certifications, and, if a military veteran, any Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214). The additional forms are available at: and can be submitted via email to: ...@tjjd.texas.gov.Apply via Email to ...@tjjd.texas.gov. Send completed application, supplemental questions/forms, and copies of high school/college diploma(s), copy of official college transcripts, any licenses/certifications, and, if a military veteran, any Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214).PLEASE NOTEYour job application must be completely filled out and include all employment, do not limit employment to the past 10-15 years. Your application must contain complete job histories, which include job titles, name of employer, dates of employment (month & year), supervisor's name and phone number, and a description of duties performed, and whether it was full-time or part-time and hours per week. If any of this information is not provided, your application may be rejected as incomplete. Resumes do not take the place of this required information.Applicants must be able to pass a Criminal Background Check and any other requirements listed under Minimum Qualifications.BENEFITSState of Texas Benefits and Retirement Information can be found at Benefits include: Retirement plan, paid group health & life insurance for employee, paid holidays, paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, longevity pay, educational assistance program, employee assistance program. Optional add-on benefits include: Dental, Vision, Optional Life Insurance, Voluntary AD&D Insurance, Dependent Health & Life insurance, Health & Dependent care flexible spending accounts, etc. Additionally, certain designated positions are eligible for hazardous duty pay, career ladder advancements, and free meals while on duty.GENERAL DESCRIPTIONPlan and implement a variety of recreational activities, leisure service activities, enrichment activities, intramurals, incentive programs, special events, holiday activities, school vacation activities, and facilitate the use of the incentive dorms/motivational areas. Maintains an inventory of equipment and recreational needs. Engages in healthy relationships and boundaries with both staff and youth. Recreation staff will work cooperatively with JCO's to provide adequate supervision, a safe environment and engagement of youth during activities. Incorporates feedback from all campus staff into activities to ensure needs of youth and campus are met during recreation. Works to be aware and vigilant of all individualized plans for youth involved in activities. Collaborates with the facility's administrators, program management, and other recreation program staff to design and implement the facility's recreation activities as part of the agency's rehabilitation strategy.
Career Ladder Promotion Opportunity: This position is in the approved TJJD career ladder for Juvenile Correctional Officers. Personnel in this career ladder have the working title of Juvenile Correctional Officer (JCO) - Recreation. JCOs receive career ladder salary adjustments upon meeting established eligibility criteria per agency policy (PRS.15.08) until they reach the top level of the ladder. Placement on the career ladder is dependent upon experience and education. Progression to the highest pay level on the career ladder is dependent upon experience and performance.Pre-Service Training Academy Requirement: Newly hired JCOs or rehired JCOs who have been separated more than 18 months will be required to attend the pre-service training academy and complete on-the-job training on a full-time basis. JCOs who have worked for TJJD and return to employment within 18 months of their separation date are not required to attend the pre-service academy and will be placed in full-time status on their date of employment.Levels of Work Performed by Career Ladder Level:Juvenile Correctional Officer III - Recreation: Performs moderately complex (journey-level) work under general supervision with limited latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.Juvenile Correctional Officer IV - Recreation: Performs complex (journey-level) work under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.Juvenile Correctional Officer V - Recreation: Performs highly complex (senior-level) work under limited supervision with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.ESSENTIAL DUTIESRecreation staff will plan and implement: special events, holiday activities, school vacation activities, intramurals, enrichment activities, incentive programs, and facilitate the use of the incentive dorms/motivational areas. Recreation staff will support youth programming on the dorm by providing materials for leisure, coach led activities, and meeting the specialized needs for the self-contained programs. Documents recreation activities and maintains required records, files, and forms in a timely and accurate way.In the event recreation staff are unable to be in attendance, recreational staff will collaborate with direct care staff and will provide necessary equipment to direct care staff to facilitate scheduled coach led recreation, leisure recreation, and enrichment activities.Recreation staff will work cooperatively and collaboratively with co-workers. Proactively provide ongoing mentoring and coaching to JCO's when needed. Assists co-workers and offers assistance when able. Recreation staff will carry an equal work load.Recreation staff will be scheduled to work in a manner that best suites the needs of the campus including evening and weekend programming. In the event recreation staff are unable to be in attendance, recreational staff will collaborate with direct care staff and will provide necessary equipment to direct care staff to facilitate scheduled coach led recreation, leisure recreation, and enrichment activities. Practices and models appropriate self-regulation skills and is able to remain calm during times of stress and crisis.Provides for a predictable schedule for youth that is transparent to them and provides warnings and prompts for all movements and transitions; and exercises independent judgment when the need arises to alter a schedule (while still maintaining transparency and warnings).Rec staff will maintain an inventory of equipment, remove any faulty or malfunctioning equipment immediately and report to appropriate supervisors. Ensures that youth are protected from any racial, ethnic, or gender-specific disparities.Performs a variety of related duties not listed, to be determined and assigned as needed.Performs all duties in compliance with agency safety policies and procedures:
- Reports safety hazards and corrects hazards when possible.
- Completes required documentation in the event of an accident/injury within requested timeframes.
Attends work on a regular and predictable schedule in accordance with agency attendance and leave policies.Monitors outcomes for racial, ethnic, and gender disparities and takes action to address identified disparities
Qualifications:MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONSMust be at least 21 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent.Required:•Must have a current valid Driver License. Must meet one of the following:•be a current Juvenile Correctional Officer III or higher with a minimum 9 months of JCO experience; or•have (1) year of experience working with adolescents; supervising or providing recreational activities with youth in the community (e.g., youth center leader, coaching experience, direct care staff, activity therapist, recreation coordinator); or•have a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, behavioral science, kinesiology, physical education or a related field; or•have two (2) years of active military service, with at least one year in a supervisory capacity as an E-5 or above.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS•Experience leading group sports/leisure activities for adolescents. Verifiable documented volunteer experience involving such activities will be considered experience for meeting this preference.•Bachelor's degree with major course work in criminal justice, behavioral science, kinesiology, therapeutic recreation or a related field.•Experience as a Juvenile Correctional Officer.
Note: Any degree, diploma, high school equivalent, or course hours required to meet minimum qualifications must be obtained from an accredited educational institution. Experience requirements may be satisfied by the prorated part-time equivalent.Applicants with the following will not be considered:•Convicted or received deferred adjudication for any felony.•Convicted or received deferred adjudication for domestic violence involving a family member (including non-spouse partners).•Convicted or received deferred adjudication for official oppression.•Current requirement to register as a sex offender.•Arrested for a disqualifying offense that was not expunged before the statute of limitations expired.•Outstanding warrant.Applicants with other arrests, deferred adjudications, and convictions may be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to determine suitability for employment.Pre-employment conditions require acceptable results from mandatory:•pre-employment drug test;•finger printing, criminal records check, and driving record check;•Fitness-for-Duty Assessment which may include both physical and behavior evaluations.Requirements for Continued Employment:•Obtain and maintain certification in TJJD's Use of Force techniques, which requires physical restraint of juveniles.•Obtain and maintain certification in First Aid and CPR.Failure to maintain required certification will result in termination of employmentThis position is subject to mandatory pre-employment drug testing and any offer of employment is contingent upon acceptable results from a drug screen conducted for the agency.KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIESKnowledge of safety and security procedures and practices.Knowledge of general counseling and guidance techniques with adolescents.Knowledge of facility rules and regulations.Knowledge of individual and group behavior.Knowledge of child development and the role of the family.Knowledge of causes of juvenile delinquency and current methods of juvenile offender treatment.Knowledge of rules and methods of implementing a wide range of recreational/competitive activities, such as, sports, games, arts, crafts, and hobbies.Skill and willingness to physically restrain youth in the appropriate manner.Skill in maintaining order and discipline, and act quickly in emergencies.Skill in maintaining written files and records.Skill in verbal and written communications.Ability to plan, schedule, and oversee recreational activities and oversee the maintenance of recreational and athletic equipment and facilities.Ability to remain calm and regulate one's own behavior while helping to serve as a role model for youth who are learning to self-regulate their own behaviorAbility to maintain healthy and engaging relationships with youth while maintaining appropriate boundaries important for healthy development.Ability to work with youth in an empathetic and understanding manner with sustained positive interactions.Ability to communicate effectively with youth to foster youth cooperation in the treatment process.Ability to plan and implement youth programs.Ability to facilitate group discussions and activities.Ability to set limits on youth behaviors when appropriate in a consistent, firm and fair manner.Ability to intervene and redirect behavior.Ability to appropriately respond to abusive language and behavior in a manner consistent with instructions received in training.Ability to remain alert, observant, and physically able to respond appropriately to work situations or emergencies including, but not limited to, physical restraint of youth.Ability to learn verbal and physical crisis intervention/de-escalation techniques and emergency treatment procedures.Ability to maintain order and discipline.Ability to physically restrain youth, when necessary, in a manner consistent with instructions received in training.Ability to explain the progress of the youth to their family members and other treatment staff.Ability to interpret rules, regulations, policies, and procedures.Ability to accept and adapt to changes in assignments, methods, policies, etc.Ability to work collaboratively with all stakeholders and maintain a professional, courteous demeanor.Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.Ability to plan, organize, and coordinate work assignments; and meet deadlines.Ability to process information logically, make decisions, and demonstrate the soundness for those decisions.Ability to document observations and incidents and maintain written files and records.Ability to transport youth and travel as necessary.Ability to utilize Texas Model levels of engagement to appropriately intervene with youth. Ability to work a variety of shifts, weekends, holidays, and be on-call.Ability to work more than of 40 hours per workweek, and travel, when requiredPHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONSThe following physical demands and working conditions are representative of those encountered when performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.AnalyzingAbility to communicate effectively, orally and in writingAbility to seeIdentify colorsDepth perceptionOperate motor equipmentAbility to hear (with or without aid)Ability to perform tactile discernmentRestraining combative youthHeavy lifting, 45 lbs. & overHeavy carrying, 45 lbs. & overPushingPullingRepeated bendingReaching above shoulderManual/finger dexterityDual simultaneous graspingWalkingStandingSittingCrawlingTwistingKneelingStoopingClimbing laddersClimbing stairsVETERANSIn order to receive veteran's preference, a copy of your DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), VA disability rating (if applicable), or a DD Form 1300 (Report of Casualty) must be attached to your application.Go to or for assistance translating your military experience and training courses into civilian job terms, qualifications/requirements, and skill sets.Additional Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) Code or Crosswalk information is available from the Texas State Auditor's Office at Criminal Justice MOS Codes.
SPONSORSHIPCandidates must be eligible to work within the United States without requiring sponsorship.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATIONIf you are scheduled for an interview and require any reasonable accommodation in our interview process, please inform the hiring representative who calls you to schedule your interview. Whenever possible, please give the hiring representative sufficient time to consider and respond to your request.Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Due to the high volume of applications, we do not accept telephone calls. If you submitted your application through the CAPPS Career Center ( you may also check the status of your application by accessing your profile and selecting My Jobpage and selecting My Submissions.
Thank you for considering employment with the Texas Juvenile Justice Department.AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYERThe Texas Juvenile Justice Department does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services.