Alexander JDC Hiring Event Juvenile Justice Officer IJuvenile Justice Officer I TRAINEE (YCT) February 19, 2026, from 900am to 330pm

Alexander County, NC - USA

Monthly Salary: Not Disclosed

Posted on: Yesterday

Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

Agency

Safety

Division

Dept of Public Safety

Job Classification Title

Youth Counselor Technician (S)

Position Number

Grade

NC04

About Us

The Department of Public Safetys 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 3000 employees and 12000 National Guard members in providing exceptional public safety services to the citizens of North Carolina.

Description of Work

Hiring Event for Alexander Juvenile Detention Center - Juvenile Justice Officer I/Juvenile Justice Officer I Trainee - Hiring for Multiple Positions!

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

Daily responsibilities include but are not limited to duties such as: housekeeping physical and mechanical restraint of juveniles medication administration and recreational activities.

Positions directly monitor and supervise juveniles in both Youth Development Centers and Youth Detention Centers. Juveniles are supervised while housed at school and all daily activities. The work is subject to close personal and physical contact with juveniles. Safety and security duties include: maintaining a secure environment routinely monitoring and observing juveniles maintaining compliance with cleanliness and sanitation standards. Positions provide feedback to the treatment team on juveniles. Daily records are completed to include: documenting safety violations and security breaches activity briefing for shift personnel crisis intervention events behavioral problems/issues and youth progress updates.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

Location:

Catawba Valley Community College

West Wing of the Main Administration Building

2550 Highway 70 SE

Hickory NC 28602

IMMEDIATE HIRE FOR MULTIPLE POSITIONS!

Interviews will be conducted on Thursday February 19 2026 from 9:00am to 3:30pm at 2550 Highway 70 SE Hickory NC 28602.

These positions will be located at Alexander Juvenile Detention Center.

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.

Now Offering Sign-On Bonus of $3000.00!

(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.)

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.

Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention is now hiring Juvenile Justice Officer TRAINEESno college degree required. If youre at least 20 years old and have a high school diploma or GED this is your opportunity to start a rewarding career in public service with paid training state benefits and a clear path for advancement

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.

Benefits:

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) withState Benefits including paid vacation paid sick leave paid holidays retirement and health insurance. To view an example of total compensation please click here NC OSHR: Total Compensation Calculator

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

The Minimum Education and Experience (E&E) are REQUIRED to qualify for this position. All work history and education (includingaccurate dates of employment/attendance)must be documented on the 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 applicants 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 Preference:These skills are not required but managers may choose to interview/select applicants who demonstrate Management Preferences.

Ability to communicate effectively speaking and in writing.

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.

Youth Counselor Technician Trainee applicants doNOTneed to meet management preferences to qualify.

NEW STEP PAY PLAN!

Juvenile Justice Officer Is(Youth Counselor Technicians) enjoyannual 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 (Associates degree or total of 24 months 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- $37621
Step 1- $40253
Step 2- $42670
Step 3- $44803
Step 4- $46594
Step 5- $47993
Step 6- $48953

If you are interested in becoming a Youth Counselor Technician but do not yet meet the Education and Experience Requirements consider becoming a Youth Counselor Technician Trainee!The trainee position only requires a High School Diploma/ GED or equivalent and 20 years of for BOTH Youth Counselor Technician and Youth Counselor Technician Trainee positions will be accepted within this posting.

As a Youth Counselor Technician Trainee work will include:

Directly monitoring and supervising juveniles while housed at school and throughout all daily activities in youth development and youth detention centers.
Working closely and having personal and physical contact with juveniles.
Monitoring juveniles maintaining a secure environment and ensuring compliance with sanitation standards.
Completing records daily to include documenting safety violations and security breaches activity briefing for shift personnel crisis intervention events behavioral problems/issues and youth progress updates.
Providing feedback to the treatment team on juveniles.

Trainee appointments include participating in a 6 to 24-month training progression in which trainees are assigned to a progressive career development program under supervision which is designed to ensure trainees develop an overall understanding of their role and its impact over time.

The trainee appointment for the Youth Counselor Technician Traineefollows a step progression pay plan. Pay increases follow the following timeline:

Minimum Starting Pay- $34000
6 months into training program-$34850
12 months into training program- $35725
18 months into training program- $36625
24 months into training program- $37621

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 forthe Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.Visit 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 : Experience
- Applicants seeking Veterans 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.Selected applicants for positions which are subject to PREA will undergo a PREA-specific background check. Our agency supports second-chance employment for individuals who were previously incarcerated or justice involved and we invite all potential applicants to apply for positions for which they may be qualified. Due to the nature of work performed in our agency prior convictions and/or charges may prohibit employment for positions which are subject to PREA or other position-specific background checks.
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 theFBIs 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.
Associate degree from an appropriately accredited institution; or High school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma and two years of related human services experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Necessary Special Requirements 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.
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:

Required Experience:

Intern

AgencySafetyDivision Dept of Public SafetyJob Classification TitleYouth Counselor Technician (S)Position NumberGradeNC04About UsThe Department of Public Safetys mission is to safeguard and preserve the lives and property of the people of North Carolina through preparation prevention and protection w...