Security Specialist I-Western Regional Office

The Department of Youth Services (DYS) is the juvenile justice agency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We work with young people who are detained or committed and provide detention, custody, diagnosis, education and support to young people ages 7-21. Most of the youth served are between the ages 14 and 18. The Department promotes positive change for the youth committed to our care, and has been on the forefront of de-institutionalization, in part, by providing adolescent-focused rehabilitation to youth in residential treatment.

The Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist is the front-line residential staff serving youth committed to the care or custody of the Department. The incumbent will work with youth to help them acquire the knowledge and life skills to become independent and responsible adults while maintaining the safety and security of the program. Juvenile Justice Youth Development Specialist serves as a positive role model and advocate who promotes Positive Youth Development and supports youth in the areas of education, treatment and rehabilitation.

For additional information about the Department of Youth Services and its programs please watch: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gyP0kCJ181nBakh9Cc0pNNEyPw7kAoI6/view

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Monitor surveillance cameras and patrol assigned interior and exterior areas including parking areas; check locks, maintain security by conducting searches for contraband, preventing incidents and ensuring the safety of staff, clients, residents and youth throughout the facility.
• Inspect fire and other safety equipment in and around the facility in accordance with established agency procedures and standards to maintain safety of the property, staff, youth, clients and other occupants.
• Respond to emergency situations by administering first aid, locking down unsecured areas, calling for assistance and performing other actions necessary to gain control of the situation and maintain the safety of all parties involved.
• Gather information in accordance with established procedures in the occurrence of an incident; enter relevant information into the operations log or electronic client information system to maintain a record of incidents and activities and to share information in an organized manner with the appropriate authorities.
• Based on assignment, conduct curfew monitoring phone calls to youth placed in the community as determined by regional agency management.
• Take the appropriate action, in accordance with authorized procedures, to handle specific violations or to respond to emergency situations.
• Notify other staff and call for assistance to handle emergency situations.
• Assist in the evacuation of youth, clients, residents or students in drills or emergency situations.
• Receive and respond to telephone calls from both internal and external parties to provide requested information and guidance to other departments within the facility, other agencies and the general public.
• Transport youth, clients or residents who may be injured or restrained, to various areas within the facility to ensure the security of all staff, youth, residents and clients.
• Receive, screen, register and direct visitors to determine visitation eligibility, to preserve order in the facility and to maintain the well-being of residents.
• Based on assignment, incumbents maintain electronic records of staff vehicle registration and vehicle identification and manage employee identification cards.
• Lock down the facility based on the facility administrator’s authority.
• Determine if restraints are necessary when transporting youth.
• Deny the transition or transport of youth, clients or residents.
• Refuse access to visitors.
• Assist in the evacuation of youth, clients, residents or students in drills or emergency situations.
• Receive and respond to telephone calls from both internal and external parties to provide requested information and guidance to other departments within the facility, other agencies and the general public.
• Transport youth, clients or residents who may be injured or restrained, to various areas within the facility to ensure the security of all staff, youth, residents and clients.
• Receive, screen, register and direct visitors to determine visitation eligibility, to preserve order in the facility and to maintain the well-being of residents.
• Based on assignment, incumbents maintain electronic records of staff vehicle registration and vehicle identification and manage employee identification cards.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, ability to report emergencies to 911 and designated emergency responders, ability to write clearly and produce legible Incident Reports, ability to read and understand all posted warning and danger signs of potential hazards, safety instructions and Owner Policies.
• Proficiency with access control, video management and communication system platforms, experience with Genetec Security Center preferred.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.

• Ability to remain calm in emergency situations, excellent judgement and the ability to evaluate situations, identify critical issues quickly and accurately and respond appropriately in accordance with departmental policy and procedures.
• Ability to research, investigate, and compile information, document and relate information, ability to document and relay information clearly and accurately.
• Ability to mediate conflict with tact, diplomacy, and professionalism, ability to maintain professional composure, and adapt to changes in the external environment and organization.
• Ability to produce written routine correspondence, including logs and reports.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to interact effectively at various social levels and across diverse cultures.
• Ability to maintain composure when dealing with authorities, executives, clients, staff, and the public, occasionally under conditions of urgency and in pressure situations.
• Ability to deal with stressful situations, such as challenging individuals who are in or approaching an unauthorized area.
• Ability to deal with multiple tasks concurrently.
• Ability to use discretion when handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Prior experience in similar security work, a person of mature judgment and ability to think and act quickly in an emergency.
• The ideal candidate should be flexible and adaptable and have the ability to work as part of a team.

Additional Information:

• Must have reliable transportation.

• Minimum Age Requirement: 21 years
• The ideal candidate is flexible and responsive to change. Employees in this position may be required to work extended hours, nights, holidays and/or weekends. Our residential facilities require 24/7 monitoring; assigned shifts include day, evening, and night.

Locaiton: 280 Tinkham Rd, Springfield, MA 01128

Shift and Days Off: Second (2nd) Shift 4:00PM – 12:00AM

Days Off: Tuesday and Wednesday

Please note: Incumbents in this position are designated emergency personnel.

Depending upon assignment, incumbents of this position may be exposed to inclement weather or be required to work in environments or under conditions that require the use of protective gear and devices and/or awareness of personal safety and safety of others.

About the Department of Youth Services:

As the Juvenile Justice agency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Department of Youth Services promotes positive change in the youth in our care and custody. Our mission is to make communities safer by improving the life outcomes for youth in our care. We achieve our mission through investing in highly qualified staff and a service continuum that engages youth, families, and communities in strategies that support positive youth development. For more information, please go to: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-youth-services

Pre-Hire Process:

Candidates must successfully complete pre-employment screening which includes:

• Drug/Steroid Screening
• Psychological Screening
• Medical Examination
• Physical Abilities Test (PAT)

If you would like more information, please log on to the DYS website.

http://www.mass.gov/dys to access detailed information on the Pre-Employment process.

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori.

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.

For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Title 101 CMR 23.00 (“Regulation”) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.