What are the responsibilities and job description for the Mart, Texas - Juvenile Correctional Officer - TJJD - Now Hiring position at Texas Juvenile Justice Department?
Thank you so much for your interest in the Juvenile Correctional Officer (JCO) position with Texas Juvenile Justice Department. The new minimum age requirement is 21 years old! This position is located at the Mart, Texas location.
You must be at least 21 years old and able to pass a background check, physical, drug screen and behavioral assessment for this position.
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY, we train. HS Diploma or GED required.
This position plays an important role in changing the lives of troubled youth and helping them develop social skills!
We are currently ACTIVELY HIRING for our next start date of February 3, 2025.
You can fill out an application online at www.tjjd.texas.gov
Below are some great videos on The Facility, The Texas Model and a documentary on our 2017 Gainesville State School Football Team.
- (YouTube) Texas Model Youth Stages: TJJD’s New Trauma Informed Approach https://youtu.be/YKtR_2y3pfw
- Titletown, TX: ‘All We Got’ follows incarcerated youth at Gainesville State School and the mentors that offer them a chance at redemption through football https://www.facebook.com/watch/titletownTX/1027628967427787/
- WFAA News: This high-security juvenile detention center in North Texas just became a foster home for dogs https://www.wfaa.com/article/features/originals/high-security-juvenile-detention-center-texas-became-foster-home-for-dogs/287-7eaf7654-3128-4eaf-8a92-f22892a49dde
Some frequently asked questions and things you should know about this position are below:
1. The position you are applying for is a Juvenile Correctional Officer at a secure Juvenile Correctional Facility. We are one of five secure facilities run by the Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) and between those 5 facilities we house a percentage of the State of Texas’ more severe Juvenile Offenders by offense. The youth in our care are sentenced for the more serious felony offenses that could include robbery, sexual assault and murder.
2. TJJD uses the Texas Model which is Trauma informed care for juvenile corrections. Most of our youths have had some type of trauma in their lives that have contributed to the behaviors that got them into the facility in the first place. We believe if the youth can understand that trauma then they can understand the behaviors and from there work on rehabilitation, mentoring and learning to deal with situations differently.
3. The main duties and responsibilities of a Juvenile Correctional Officer is Safety and Security of the youth, assuring they are following the process and procedures that keeps themselves, other youth and the staff safe.
4. All of our JCO’s go through a 6-to-8-week paid training program. Training is all done on site at the facility - we have some fantastic trainers. They train on everything from the policy and procedure to the Texas Model. We also do CPR training, as all of our JCO's are CPR certified. We train on what is called Handle with Care which teaches you how to safely restrain a youth without causing them harm. After the paid training period is over, we have a buddy system - this means you are paired up with a partner; so, as you go out into the facility to apply what you’ve learned, there is someone there to assist and guide you should you need it.
5. The scheduled hours while you are in training are different than what your regular shift hours will be once you complete training. During the paid training program, the schedule depends on what is being trained, it could be an 8-hour day or 10-hour day. You will however, get the schedule a month in advance. Your trainer will provide you with your training schedule for the month so you can plan your life accordingly. After the completion of the paid training program, you will begin to work the required regular 12-hour shifts. The shifts are 6pm – 6am or 6am – 6pm and the shift is assigned by the facility and depends on what is available when you get out of training. Days worked is a rotating shift with 3 on, 2 off, 2 on, 3 off.
6. We are paid once a month on the first working day of each month. The starting pay for this position is $3,972.80 a month. If you have 2 years of military experience, higher education, or prior JCO or adult CO experience, (depending on the amount of time); you could come in at a higher pay rate.
7. The opportunity for overtime is available. We do get paid overtime. Our overtime checks come between the 10th – 15th of the month.
8. The state pays for our health insurance premium - 100% for full time employees and we cover 50% for dependents. Please visit www.ers.texas.gov [ers.texas.gov] for a full list of benefits for State of Texas employees. I have also attached a benefits brochure for your review.
9. The process starts with the State of Texas application and interview. Those that are selected through the interview process, will also be required to take a behavior assessment/test which must be passed with a score of 70 or higher to be eligible for this position. The behavioral assessment/test is given by way of a video and multiple-choice answers that is approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes in length. Once the test score is received and you have passed (scores are received two days after the completion of the test); the next steps would be a physical, drug screen, TB test, background check, fingerprinting, references, internal review (for previous employees of the State of Texas).
Online Instructions
Go to https://www.tjjd.texas.gov/
Click on Careers
Scroll down to Texas Comptroller's Job Search
Under location enter Mart, Texas
Look for the Juvenile Correctional Officer III / IV / V
Click on it and then click on “Apply Online” after reading all of the qualifications of this position.
You will need to click on “New User” and then “Register” after creating a username and password to apply.
**MUST BE ABLE TO PASS A BACKGROUND CHECK - NO FELONIES OR MISDEMEANORS**
Once you complete the application you will get a confirmation from the CAPPS system.
Once your application is received you will be contacted by a recruiter for next steps.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $3,972.80 - $4,836.45 per month
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Employee discount
- Flexible spending account
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Schedule:
- 12 hour shift
- Day shift
- Night shift
- Overtime
- Weekends as needed
Work Location: In person
Salary : $3,973 - $4,836