Youth Care Worker; Juvenile Correctional Officer

Youth Care Worker (Juvenile Correctional Officer)

Recruitment began on December 31, 2025

and the job listing Expires on January 31, 2026

Do you desire a position where you can make a real difference in the lives of at-risk youth?
Apply today to become a Youth Care Worker with the County of Northampton!

$2500 SIGN ON BONUS!

$500 payable upon hire, $750 after 3 months of employment, and final $1,250 payment after 6 months of employment – sign on bonus for full-time employees only!

NOTE – CURRENTLY HIRING FOR 2nd Shift (3p-11p) and 3rd Shift (11p-7a) ONLY

GENERAL PURPOSE

The Youth Care Worker (Juvenile Correctional Officer) position is responsible for the care and custody of children and youth who have been alleged and/or adjudicated delinquent and are residents of the Northampton County Juvenile Justice Center.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

This position reports directly to the Juvenile Justice Center Supervisor and/or higher level official in the County Juvenile Detention Facility.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

This position exercises no supervision over other employees.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION

Provides for the care, activity and security for children and youth in the County Juvenile Justice Center.

Provides supervision, structure, and control of the residents throughout their daily routines.

Communicates with children and youth, discussing their concerns and interests to attempt to alleviate any adjustment or behavior problems.

Plans, conducts and participates in resident activities, including but not limited to instructional or recreational activities.

Inspects children and youth upon admission for cleanliness, freedom from disease and injuries.

Processes admissions, intakes, and discharges accompanied by conducting pat and/or strip searches during this process, and on an as needed basis.

Searches rooms and other facility areas for contraband.

Reacts to crisis situations in the facility, deescalating with residents and separating and/or implementing physical interventions or individual processing when necessary.

Transports and accompanies children and youth to other institutions, clinics, and foster homes.

Assesses issues of difficulty or potential problems and provides reports and recommends solutions to higher level staff.

Completes appropriate admission and discharge forms for residents.

Maintains records of shift activities, incidents and writes reporting concerning resident behavior.

May assist with orienting newly hired Youth Care Worker staff.

* An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description. Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE: Completion of sixty (60) college credits at an accredited college or university in Social or Behavioral Sciences, or a related field of study;
OR

At least one (1) year of full-time professional work experience with children in programs for juvenile offenders, corrections, law enforcement, residential and/or congregate care settings, residential treatment facilities, or inpatient behavioral/mental health programs;
AND

Employees assigned to this title will be required to possess and maintain a valid and current motor vehicle driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of the care, custody and control of delinquent youth in an institutional setting.

Knowledge of the effects of institutionalization on the attitudes of children and youth, and social processes among them.

Knowledge of the growth stages of children and youth, including social, emotional and mental development through the teenage years.

Skill in communicating with children and youth alleged and/or adjudicated delinquent on personally sensitive or confidential issues.

Ability to supervise the activities of children and youth in custody, ensuring their safety…