Youth Detention Specialist

Job Posting End Date:

October 18, 2026

Department:

HUMAN SERVICES

Compensation Grade:

G21

Compensation Range & Starting Salary:

Pay Range - $47,153.60-$73,465.60
Starting salary may be negotiable based on qualifications

Job Exempt (If No, Position is eligible for overtime):

No

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

About Us:

Recognized as one of America’s Best-In-State Employers for 2024, the City of Virginia Beach is proud to offer a diverse and dynamic work environment. Our workforce plays a crucial role in delivering exceptional government services to both our citizens and fellow City employees. Apply now to join an organization where you truly make a difference.

Job Duties and Preferred Qualifications:

The City of Virginia Beach is recruiting experienced Youth Detention Specialists for our Juvenile Detention Center. The Virginia Beach Juvenile Detention Center (VBJDC) provides temporary, safe custody for juveniles who have criminal charges and need a restricted environment for their own protection or the protection of the public. The primary responsibility of this position is to perform difficult professional and administrative work in the supervision and counseling of juveniles in the detention program.

Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Supervise residents in the Juvenile Detention program.
• Adhere to Juvenile Detention policies, procedures, safety, and security measures within facility.
• Conduct appropriate counseling of program participants, and conduct interviews of a personal and sensitive nature.
• Maintain paperwork associated with service plans and behavioral evaluations.
• Establish rapport with juveniles while maintaining authority, express ideas clearly, establish and maintain harmonious relationships.
• Set verbal and physical limitations during instances of aggressive, suicidal or combative behavior.
• Utilize counseling, social work principles, mental health assessment and behavior management techniques and treatments related to detained youth.
• Adhere to the policies and procedures of the juvenile justice system.
• Demonstrate effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills dealing with sensitive issues.

Rotating Shifts include:

7:00am - 3:00pm

3:00pm - 11:00pm (eligible for shift differential incentive)

11:00pm - 7:00am (eligible for shift differential incentive)

 including weekends and holidays.

The City offers a generous benefits package, which includes health, dental and life insurance, retirement and savings plans, maternity/paternity and parental leave, holidays and paid leave. 

A $3,000 hiring bonus is being offered for this position.  Hiring bonuses shall only be for new hires of original full-time employment or reemployment as defined in Human Resources Policy No. 5.0. 

• $500 will be awarded in the first paycheck.
• $1,000 will be awarded upon completion of the six (6) month interim performance evaluation with an overall rating of “Meets Expectations”.
• $1,500 will be awarded upon completion of the employee’s one (1) year probationary period and a performance evaluation with an overall rating of “Meets Expectations”.

 

Additional requirements:
• DMV Transcript: Yes
• CDL: No
• Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse: No
• CPS Check: Yes
• Physical: Yes
• Respirator: No
• Psychological Screening: No
• Polygraph: No
• At Will: No

Minimum Requirements:

Minimum Qualifications: Requires an Associate’s degree in psychology, sociology, education counseling, criminal justice or a related field, OR any combination of education (above the high school level) and/or experience equivalent to two (2) years in human services, youth, or corrections related fields. Must have a current and valid driver’s license.

Special Requirements: All employees may be expected to work hours in excess of their normally scheduled hours in response to short-term department needs and/or City-wide emergencies. Must be able to work rotating shifts (days/evenings/midnights) including weekends and holidays and be available to work overtime when required to meet operational needs. This position may require that incumbents wear and maintain appropriate personal protective equipment such as, but not limited to, steel toed shoes, safety glasses, gloves, or other designated safety attire and equipment in designated areas of risk. Specific requirements will be determined and communicated by the employee’s supervisor based on position assigned. Alpha I Status: Positions within this class have been designated as Alpha I positions requiring employees to work during inclement weather, regardless of the City’s operational status. Successful completion of pre-employment physical. Current tuberculin test. Acceptable background check.

Skills:

Juvenile Justice, Social Work, Supervision

Working Conditions:

Per HR Policy 6.19, Americans with Disabilities, the City follows the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in all hiring and employment decisions. The City shall not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring and employment practices. The City shall make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of a qualified applicant or employee with a disability upon request unless the accommodation would cause an undue hardship on the operation of the City’s business. 

The Working Conditions Summary is intended to provide a general overview of the environmental conditions inherent in the job setting, as well as the physical, mental, and sensory requirements necessary to perform the essential functions of the position in the noted job profile.  Please copy and paste the URL below into your web browser to view the Working Conditions Summary for this position.

https://workingcondition-summary-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/P1322.pdf

Official Job Descriptions:

To browse official job descriptions, please access this link - https://virginiabeach.gov/careers/job-descriptions-pay-plans?search=&group=E

VRS Contribution: All full-time employees are required to contribute 5% of annual salary toward their retirement account; in accordance with VRS retirement provisions. This will be handled through a pre-tax payroll deduction.

Drug Free Workplace: The City of Virginia Beach maintains a drug free workplace.

Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Statement: The City of Virginia Beach is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive work environment. We do not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected status as defined by applicable law.