Become a Juvenile Program Worker

Long Creek Youth Development Center, South Portland, ME

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A Juvenile Program Worker is paraprofessional support work involving the interaction, care, security, treatment, and rehabilitation of juveniles detained or committed to Long Creek Youth Development Center. Juvenile residents of Long Creek are up to 21 years old and often have a history of trauma and concurrent mental health and substance use disorders, chronic behavioral issues, and/or aggression. We recruit moral, ethical, and dependable candidates as JPWs to be a role model, life coach, and a positive, supportive adult that can be missing in their lives. JPWs blend youth correctional officer and social work responsibilities and provide direct supervision, safety, security, assistance, and accountability.

Juvenile Program Workers

  • Starting Base Pay: $24.27/hr. for no experience and up to $28.16/hr. with experience.
  • Differentials: Night & Weekend Shifts + Premium Overtime.                     
  • Insurance: Health, Dental, Vision, and Life
  • Retirement: Eligible to retire at 55 when meeting the minimum years of service
  • Leave: 3+ Weeks of Vacation; 13 paid Holidays per year; 12 days Paid Sick Leave
  • Base Schedule:  7 out of 14 days within a two-week pay period. Adds up to half the year scheduled off!
  • Note: Prorated Benefits available for Part-Time positions.

Responsibilities Include:

  • Maintain security and provide direct care.
  • Model appropriate behavior, attitude, ethics, and morals
  • Coordinate and supervise residents’ daily living activities
  • Enforce facility rules
  • Implement rehabilitative, protective, treatment and behavioral health programs and services.

This position requires exposure to chemical agents (OC Spray).

We’ll Provide you with the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities to be a Successful JPW:

  • Six-week Juvenile Basic Corrections Training Program (JBCTP) with Maine Criminal Justice Academy certification.
  • Learn de-escalation, conflict resolution, problem-solving, and defense techniques.
  • Two weeks of on-the-job training.
  • Ongoing coaching and mentoring
  • Support and professional development.
  • Opportunities for career advancement
  • Paid job shadow program available prior to BCTP commitment. Contact HR for details.

Application Requirements:

  • Age:  Be at least 18 years of age to apply.
  • Education:  Be a high school graduate or hold an equivalent certificate (HiSET, GED, etc.).
  • Conduct: Have no serious criminal or extensive motor vehicle records. See Automatic Disqualifiers for details.
  • License/Certification: Possess a valid driver's license.

Hiring Process

  1. Application Evaluation: Applications are reviewed to verify that each candidate meets the established Minimum Qualifications/Requirements. Applicants who do not meet these requirements are disqualified from further consideration.
     
  2. Physical Agility Test (PAT): Standards for successful completion of the PAT are available upon request. Physical Agility Test (PDF)
     
    • Push-Up Test;
    • Sit-Up Test;
    • Step Test (96 steps in :60 seconds);
    • 140 lbs. Dummy Drag Test;
    • Fire Extinguisher Carry Test; and
    • 1-Mile Run/Brisk Walk Test.
       
  3. Oral Board Interview: Applicants successfully meeting the Minimum Requirements and who have passed PAT will be scheduled for an Oral Board Interview. The Oral Board is a pass/fail component of the applicant process.  The Oral Board is a structured interview that evaluates applicants' skills in the areas of:
     
  4. Background Investigation: Applicants who successfully pass the Oral Board Interview will have a finger-print based criminal history record check along with a prior employment reference check.

Requirements Upon Hire:

  • A valid, State of Maine driver's license.
  • Completion of the Juvenile Basic Corrections Training Course.
    (organized and funded by DOC upon hire – includes mandatory exposure to chemical agents)
     

Apply Online


The Maine Department of Corrections is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.  Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.  We provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.