Become a Juvenile Community Corrections Officer

The Maine Department of Corrections (MDOC) Juvenile Division is committed to the result that all Maine youth successfully transition into adulthood. We are committed to ensuring that all justice involved youth experience a fair, equitable, and responsive juvenile justice system that provides them with positive outcomes. We are also committed to reducing the use of institutional secure confinement by increasing the capacity and use of community-based programming and supports. Juvenile Community Corrections Officers (JCCOs) are central to this effort.

A Juvenile Community Corrections Officer’s (JCCO) duty will include:

  • Assessing risks and needs.
  • Provide supportive interventions.
  • Supervision of juvenile clients on probation and other forms of community supervision.
  • Make decisions relative to the detention, diversion, court action and disposition, release/discharge of juvenile clients from supervision.
  • Empowering change and restoring lives.

Juvenile Community Corrections is part of the Juvenile Services division of MDOC. Several backgrounds make for excellent JCCOs, including Correctional Officers, Juvenile Program Workers, Veterans, Law Enforcement Officers, and those who enjoy working with adolescents, such as teachers, case workers, coaches and counselors.

Read on to learn more about the application requirements, hiring process, and the training that we provide to help ensure your professional success in this rewarding career.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Possession of a Class C Maine Driver’s License. Those moving to Maine are required to obtain a Maine driver's license within 30 days.
     
  • A Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, a Behavior Sciences, or Social Sciences, or a closely related field (4 years).

          -AND-

  • Six (6) months of experience working with at risk youth.

          -Or in lieu of a Bachelor’s Degree-

  • At least 4 years and 6 months of an equivalent combination of directly related education, experience, and training.

Hiring Process

  1. APPLICATION EVALUATION: HR will review your application; a resume and cover letter.
    1. Application packets for those who meet the minimum qualifications will be forwarded to the Hiring Manager.
    2. The Hiring Manager will contact you if selected to schedule an interview.
       
  2. INTERVIEW PROCESS:
    1. Oral Board interview panel.
    2. Candidates who are selected to move forward will receive a conditional job offer contingent on successful background investigation to include:
    3. Interstate Identification Index (Triple I)
      1. Fingerprint
      2. Criminal history
    4. Juvenile history report
    5. DHHS history review
    6. Personal History Statement
       
  3. OFFER
    1. A second interview may be required.
    2. A formal job offer is made to the selected candidate.

Training

  1. Juvenile Community Corrections Academy
    • A 4- or 5-week academy, some travel may be required,
    • Academy schedule is generally Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm.
       
  2. Upon successful completion of the academy, you become a Sworn Juvenile Community Corrections Officer.
     
  3. Post-Academy Field Training
    • You are assigned a Field Training Officer to provide support, guidance, and coaching.