DJS RESIDENT ADVISOR TRAINEE
Recruitment #26-002599-0001
| Department | DJS Backbone Youth Center |
|---|---|
| Date Opened | 2/19/2026 10:05:00 AM |
| Filing Deadline | 5/19/2026 11:59:00 PM |
| Salary | $53,084.00 - $74,722.00/year |
| Employment Type |
Full-Time
|
| HR Analyst | Joseph Curtis |
| Work Location |
Allegany
Frederick Garrett Washington County |
Introduction

GRADE
ASTD11
LOCATION OF POSITION
IMPORTANT NOTE: This recruitment is exclusively for the counties in the Western Region of Maryland only (Garrett, Allegany, Washington, and Frederick).
DJS Allegany & Garrett Locations
Recruiter: Joseph Curtis
Contact email: joseph.curtis@maryland.gov
Garrett County
Backbone Mountain Youth Center (BMYC)
124 Camp 4 Road
Swanton, MD 21561
Allegany County
Green Ridge Youth Center (GRYC)
10700 Fifteen Mile Creek Road
Flintstone, MD 21530
DJS Washington County Location
Recruiter: Jenn Berger
Contact email: jennifer.berger@maryland.gov
Washington County
Western Maryland Children's Center (WMCC)
18420 Roxbury Road
Hagerstown, MD 21740
DJS Frederick County Location
Recruiter: Moses Devaprakasam
Contact email: moses.devaprakasam1@maryland.gov
Frederick County
Victor Cullen Center (VCC)
6000 Sabillasville Road
Sabillasville, MD 21780
Main Purpose of Job
Join Us in Making a Difference at DJS!
The Maryland Department of Juvenile Services (DJS) is dedicated to transforming young lives, creating safer communities, and fostering equitable systems. We are seeking passionate individuals for the role of DJS Resident Advisor Trainee. So come join our team and make a meaningful impact on youth and the community at DJS!
The DJS Resident Advisor Trainee position is the entry level of work responsible for providing supervision and guidance to the youth residing in a facility that is operated by the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services. The DJS Resident Advisor Trainee ensures supervision and guidance of the youth by observing, interacting and assisting them with everyday life skills and advising them of appropriate alternative behaviors. The position is assigned a regular shift but may be required to work other shifts, evenings, nights, weekends and holidays as required by staffing needs. The incumbent may be subject to call-in based on staffing needs.
POSITION DUTIES
The duties of this position include, but are not limited to, the following:
Learns to escort groups of youth to and from daily activities at the facility and to supervise their conduct during movement and daily activities;
Learns to observe individual and group behaviors and to determine when intervention or guidance is needed by the youth under his/her care;
Learns to intervene in situations involving agitated or overwrought youth to prevent fights and to de-escalate potentially harmful behaviors,
Learns to suggest alternative ways of reacting to problems, and may be required to physically restrain youth;
Learns to promote an environment conducive to learning helpful alternative behaviors by encouraging communication among youth and staff, guiding and critiquing group discussions, offering advice at appropriate junctures and serving as a mentor and role model for resident youth;
Learns to monitor the behavior of youth and assist them in complying with daily and weekly schedules of attending classes, completing school assignments, sleeping, eating and performing personal hygiene tasks;
Learns to record behavior observations, prepare progress and incident reports on assigned youth for review by supervisors, and recommend behavioral sanctions;
Learns to inspect residence areas for safety, security and cleanliness;
Learns to assess inappropriate behaviors and recommend behavioral sanctions to supervisors;
Attends in-service training on topics, such as crisis prevention, suicide prevention, emergency medical treatments, and behavioral modification models to maintain knowledge of childcare needs, counseling methods and trends in the juvenile justice field and to obtain and maintain certification;
Learns to assess emergency and crisis situations, make appropriate contacts and referrals, and provide interim emergency medical and other assistance until specialized assistance is available;
May be assigned to a cottage or dormitory post at night;
May accompany youth to community service activities outside the facility;
Performs other related duties.
When assigned to the Youth Centers:
Learns to function as a member of the treatment team for individual youth and provide input and information to the DJS Case Management Specialist for inclusion in monthly progress reviews;
Learns to implement, help to evaluate and recommend modifications to youth treatment plans;
Learns to facilitate daily behavioral modification meetings in the absence of the DJS Case Management Specialist.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.
Experience: None.
Note: The above educational requirement is set by the Maryland Correctional Training Commission in accordance with the Correctional Services Article, Section 8-209, Annotated Code of Maryland.
DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Employment experience within the past 18 months
Associate’s Degree in a related field (e.g., Criminal Justice, Social or Behavioral Sciences)
LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS
1. Employees in this classification must complete and successfully pass the Entrance Level Correctional Training Course for DJS staff required for the Maryland Correctional Training Commission certificate during the probationary period.
2. Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
1. In accordance with the Correctional Services Article, Section 8-209 of the Annotated Code of Maryland, the Maryland Correctional Training Commission shall establish the minimum qualifications for probationary or permanent appointment of a Department of Juvenile Services employee in a mandated position. These requirements are listed in detail in the Code of Maryland Regulations 12.10.01.04, general regulations of the Maryland Correctional Training Commission, and include:
U.S. Citizenship or Resident Alien status
Must be at least 21 years of age
A thorough background check, including fingerprinting and drug testing
An oral interview, and
Physical and psychological examinations.
2. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 17.04.09.03, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.
SELECTION PROCESS
Please ensure that your completed application includes sufficient information to demonstrate that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All documentation related to your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date; information received after this date will not be considered. Candidates who meet the qualifications will remain on the certified eligible list for a period of one (1) year. This list may also be used to fill similar positions within this classification in the future.
EXAMINATION PROCESS
The assessment will involve a rating of your application based on your education, training, and/or experience as it relates to the position's requirements. Therefore, it is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Please report all relevant experience and education. For education obtained outside the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of equivalent American education, as determined by a Foreign Credential Evaluation Service, at the time of hire. Please complete the supplemental questionnaire, if applicable. They will be used when rating applications. Please note that your answers on the supplemental questionnaire must correspond to the information provided on your completed application to receive credit. Missing or incomplete supplemental questionnaires may impact the overall rating of your completed application.
If you are a Veteran applying for this position, please submit your DD 214 Long Form with your completed application to receive proper credit.
BENEFITS
FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS
The online application process is strongly recommended. If you are unable to apply online, you may submit a completed paper application and supplemental questionnaire via email or fax to the addresses provided below. For fax or mail submissions, please ensure that each page includes your first and last name, the recruitment number (located at the top of the posting), and the last four digits of your Social Security number. All paper application materials must be received by 5:00 PM on the closing date of the recruitment. Applications received after this time, or those submitted with incorrect forms, will not be accepted. Postmarks will not be considered.
Maryland Department of Juvenile Services
OHR-Recruitment & Examination Unit
217 E. Redwood Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
Attn: Joseph Curtis, Recruitment # 26-002599-0001
Fax number 410-333-4188
TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay
If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the Maryland Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division at 410-767-4850 or Application.Help@maryland.gov.
Should additional information regarding this recruitment be required, please contact the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, Recruitment and Examination Unit at djs.careers@maryland.gov. Include the Recruitment Title/Number that is located at the top of the bulletin.
DJS is an equal-opportunity employer and is committed to diversity in the workplace. Specifically, we value diverse experiences regarding the educational background and justice system contact.
DJS values the experience gained by Veterans while serving our country. Veterans are welcome to apply for all current recruitments.
Bilingual applicants and people with disabilities are welcome to apply for all recruitments.
Candidates with lived experience relating to the criminal/juvenile legal system are encouraged to apply.
We welcome experienced professionals transitioning from federal service to explore rewarding career opportunities.
Click on a link below to apply for this position:
| Fill out the Supplemental Questionnaire and Application NOW using the Internet. | Apply Online |
| View and print the Supplemental Questionnaire. | This recruitment requires completion of a supplemental questionnaire. You may view and print the supplemental questionnaire here. |
| Apply via Paper Application. | You may also download and complete the Paper Application here. |



