Agency

Safety

Division

70000075 Dept of Public Safety

Job Classification Title

Youth Services Behavioral Specialist (S)

Position Number

Grade

NC05

About Us

The Department of Public Safety's mission is to safeguard and preserve the lives and property of the people of North Carolina through preparation, prevention, and protection with integrity and honor. Our agency houses many public safety divisions, including Emergency Management, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Alcohol Law Enforcement, Samarcand Training Academy, and the North Carolina National Guard. Join us along with our more than 3,000 employees and 12,000 National Guard members in providing exceptional public safety services to the citizens of North Carolina.

Description of Work

This is a Virtual Hiring Event for Juvenile Justice Officer II (Youth Services Behavioral Specialist). We are hiring for multiple locations to include Concord, NC (Cabarrus County) and Rockingham, NC (Reidsville County)!

We are looking for candidates who have a passion for helping court-involved youth. We are Working Together to Strengthen North Carolina’s Youth and Families!

The Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention is committed to the reduction and prevention of juvenile delinquency by effectively intervening, educating and treating youth in order to strengthen families and increase public safety. If you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of North Carolina's youth, we welcome you to be part of the team.

The State of North Carolina provides work/life balance, a team-oriented culture, opportunities for advancement, and interesting work. If you are looking to serve others, this is the place for you

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

This is a VIRTUAL hiring event for multiple locations to include Concord, NC (Cabarrus County) and Rockingham, NC (Reidsville County). Qualified applicants will be sent a link to complete "Pre-Hire Paperwork" and schedule an interview.

Virtual Interviews will be conducted on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 from 9:00am to 3:30pm.

IMMEDIATE HIRE FOR MULTIPLE POSITIONS!

Shift work is required for these positions.  Weekend and holiday shifts required.

Candidates for these positions are eligible to receive a shift premium (10%) when assigned to either 2nd or 3rd shift.

           

This job classification also qualifies for the employee Referral Bonus program. If you were referred to this job posting by a current DPS employee, and you are hired, that employee could qualify for a referral bonus.

DPS uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. 

 

The Minimum Education and Experience (E&E) are REQUIRED to qualify for this position.  All work history and education (including accurate dates of employment/attendance) must be documented on the application. 

Supplemental Questions are also a required part of the application: answers must reference education or work experience listed on the application. A complete, all-inclusive application maximizes an applicant’s potential to qualify for the position, as well as the highest possible salary. Salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position. State Government Application Resources | NC Office of Human Resources

Management Preferences- (These skills are not required but managers may choose to interview/select applicants who demonstrate Management Preferences.)

• Ability to establish and maintain positive working relationships with people.

​Please note: You must be physically capable of applying the proper methods and procedures to physically restrain juveniles and defend self after being properly training by the department. The physical demands for this position will be discussed during the interview.

Now Offering Sign-On Bonus of $3,000.00! (Please Note: To be eligible for a sign-on bonus, the candidate must not have worked as a probationary, permanent, or time-limited employee in the last 12 months as an employee in North Carolina state government subject to the State Human Resources Act.)

Please note: This is NOT an office position; this is a direct care position where you will be providing direct supervision and engagement at a Youth Development Center or a Juvenile Detention Center with close proximity to court-ordered youth.

NEW STEP PAY PLAN!

Juvenile Justice Officer II's (Youth Services Behavioral Specialist) enjoy annual salary increases with a step pay plan!  Your initial salary is based on your total months of related education and experience above the minimum requirements (related Bachelor's degree or total of 48 months experience or equivalent combination of education and experience). Please list all work experience in order for you to receive maximum credit. This will help determine the correct salary and step for potential candidates. Candidates will only receive credit for experience documented on the state application. Once hired, your pay will continue to increase as you gain more related experience up to step 6 and you may also qualify for other promotional opportunities. There are many opportunities for promotional advancement within Juvenile Justice!

• Step 0 - $43,911

• Step 1 - $46,983

• Step 2 - $49,852

• Step 3 - $52,293

• Step 4 - $54,385

• Step 5 - $56,015

• Step 6 - $57,136

Work Schedule: 

 This is a full-time position. Work hours will vary depending on the facility that they are hired for. Candidates must be able to work weekends and holidays on a rotating basis and be able to work on a variable work schedule to meet the needs of juveniles and their families.  

We Offer Great Benefits!

Various option packages will enhance your quality of life, health, wellness, and future. Some examples are Vacation, twelve Paid Holidays and Paid Parental Leave as well as Health Insurance, Disability (Short and Long Term) Insurance and Dental Insurance.  For a full list of Benefits, please click on this LINK.

Supplemental and Contact Information

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety (DPS) is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders.  Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), we are committed to full inclusion of qualified applicants and will review requests for reasonable accommodation to perform essential job functions during the hiring process or while on the job.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program 

For applicants with student loans, becoming a state employee may include eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit www.studentaid.gov to learn more.

Transcripts

• Degrees and transcripts must be received from appropriately accredited college or university.

• Applicants who earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, must attach an unofficial transcript to receive credit for education.

• International degrees and transcripts must be evaluated for accreditation by a recognized evaluation service by the closing date of this posting.  Failure to provide documentation may result in ineligibility. The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) has several options to provide credential verification: https://www.naces.org/members.

Military Experience 

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty that includes Character of Discharge - Member 4 or Service 2 form) to the application.

• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference:

  A current member of the North Carolina National Guard in good standing must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS).

  A former member of the North Carolina National Guard who served for at least 6 years and were discharged under honorable conditions, must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.

The NC Dept. of Public Safety must adhere to the US Dept. of Justice Final Rule on the "National Standards to Prevent, Detect, and Respond to Prison Rape. "PREA Hiring and Promotion Prohibitions

If applying for a Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention position certified through the NC Dept. of Justice - Criminal Justice Standards Division, please click this link for specific certification requirements: Juvenile Justice Officer & Juvenile Court Counselor Certification.

Per NC General Statute 143B-1209.54, applicants hired into a position certified as a criminal justice officer or justice officer are required to electronically submit fingerprints to the NC State Bureau of Investigation for a state and national criminal history record check and enrollment in the FBI’s Next Generation Identification System: Criminal Justice Record of Arrest and Prosecution Background Service (“RAP Back”).  This is in addition to submitting fingerprints during the application process.

Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application. If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by the hiring manager.  If you are no longer under consideration, you will receive an email notification.

#JJ

Minimum Education and Experience

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

Bachelor’s degree from an appropriately accredited institution; or High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and four years of related human services experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Please list all work experience in order for you to receive maximum credit.  This will be directly related to a possible salary offer.

Necessary Special Qualification: Applicants for positions designated as Juvenile Justice Officers are subject to and must meet the hiring and training standards established by the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, as defined in Title 12, Chapter 9 of the NC Administrative Code, by the statutory authority of GS 17C.

Selected applicant must attend and successfully complete and pass the Juvenile Justice Officer Basic Training certification program. The certification requires four weeks to complete and is comprised of classroom and physically demanding training. This training is carried out at regional training centers and requires consecutive overnight stays. In addition, the selected candidate must:

 

·Have or be able to obtain required documentation for certification as a Juvenile Justice Officer (i.e. a diploma).

·Pass a Criminal Background check

·Pass a Drug Screening test

·Pass a Psychological test

·Pass a Sexual Risk Screening test

·Pass a Physical (to include Vision and Hearing)

·Be a US citizen

·Be at least 20 years of age

·Have a valid driver's license

Click here to learn more about the requirements for Juvenile Justice Officer & Juvenile Court Counselor Certification.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.

Recruiter:

Ariana Alyse Garcia

Recruiter Email:

ARIANA.GARCIA@NCDPS.GOV

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