Juvenile Detention Director - Jefferson County

TARGET CLOSE DATE:

03/01/2026

PAY GRADE:

POL

TYPE:

Full time

JOB SUMMARY:

This job is not part of the Merit System and, therefore, is neither subject to the Rules & Regulations of the Personnel Board nor provided the rights of a Merit System. Should you have additional questions about this position, please contact the Jefferson County Human Resources Department at 205-325-5249.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

ANNUAL SALARY RANGE AND BENEFITS
The starting salary will be commensurate with the selected candidate’s qualifications, experience, and professional advancement with a salary range of $159,000.00 to $199,000.00, plus excellent benefits.

The Juvenile Detention Director is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight of Jefferson County’s Youth Detention Facility. This role ensures that the center operates as a safe, secure, and rehabilitative environment for residents while maintaining compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and professional standards. The Director serves as the primary liaison between the detention center, county leadership,  community partners, and oversight agencies, representing the facility in meetings, hearings, and public forums. The Jefferson County Youth Detention facility is a 24-hour, seven day a week residential center for youth. Residents are between the ages of 9 and 18, have committed a felony, and been ordered by Family Court into detention. The Jefferson County Youth Detention facility has an 80-bed capacity. 

In this capacity, the Director manages daily operations and supervises staff to ensure accountability, professionalism, and adherence to established policies. They are tasked with developing and implementing procedures and programs that promote safety, rehabilitation, and efficiency. A critical aspect of the role is ensuring that youth receive appropriate educational, medical, mental health, and recreational services, while fostering a culture of respect, dignity, and fairness. The Director assists with facilitating the educational programs and ensures that residents receive instruction that aligns with the requirements of the Alabama State Department of Education to provide grade level appropriate  curriculum and instruction in accordance with the Alabama Course of Study and / or the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) guidelines. The Director emphasizes evidence-based practices that support rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, helping young people transition successfully back into their communities.

The position also requires strong attention to compliance and safety. The Director oversees security protocols to safeguard youth, staff, and visitors, while ensuring the facility meets federal, state, and local requirements. They monitor facility conditions and address safety or maintenance concerns promptly. In addition, the Director prepares and manages the facility’s budget, oversees resource allocation, and seeks out grants or funding opportunities to support programs and services.

Finally, the Director plays a vital role in community and stakeholder engagement. They collaborate with courts, law enforcement, school board, and social service agencies to strengthen support systems for residents and families. By building partnerships and fostering collaboration, the Director ensures that the detention center is not only a place of accountability but also a foundation for rehabilitation and growth. This position demands ethical leadership, strategic decision-making, and a deep commitment to youth development and public service.
 
ABOUT YOUTH DETENTION

The Jefferson County Youth Detention Center is a licensed juvenile detention facility located in Jefferson County, Alabama  and is operated by Jefferson County in accordance with licensed standards that are set forth by the Alabama Department of Youth Services (ADYS). The detention center is a secure facility for delinquent juveniles who have allegedly committed a criminal act, brought forth and detained by law enforcement agencies and court order. Rather than serving solely as a place of confinement, the Youth Detention Center stands as a center of intervention—where accountability is balanced with rehabilitation. Our mission is to create a safe and supportive environment that offers education, guidance, and opportunity, empowering every young person to pursue a more constructive and promising future.

At the heart of the center is a commitment to care and development. Residents are provided with access to education, medical and mental health services, counseling, and recreational activities. Daily routines are structured to promote discipline, responsibility, and respect, while focusing on reducing recidivism and supporting positive life choices.

Safety and compliance are central to our operations. The center adheres to strict federal, state, and local standards, with security protocols in place to protect youth, staff, and visitors. Our professional team is trained to foster an environment of fairness and dignity, ensuring that every young person is treated with respect while being held accountable for their actions. Additionally, employees at the detention center receive required training and comply with the Alabama Department of Youth Services state mandate in order to stay equipped with the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform their jobs effectively. 

Community collaboration is a cornerstone of our work. We partner with courts, boards of education, law enforcement, and social service agencies to provide comprehensive support systems for youth and their families. These partnerships strengthen the continuum of care, helping young people transition successfully back into their communities.

The Youth Detention Center stands as a vital resource in the juvenile justice system and is audited annually by the Alabama Department of Youth Services and Alabama State Department of Education. By combining structure with compassion, accountability with opportunity, and safety with rehabilitation, the center reflects our belief that with the right support, young people can change the trajectory of their lives.

For more details about this position, follow the link below.

https://jobs.pbjcal.org/Recruiting/

Applicants who apply for this position can be considered for other senior level exempt-executive positions (e.g., Deputy Director and Director level) of Jefferson County Commission should future vacancies become available.

An initial screening of applications will take place soon after the closing date. If a sufficient number of well-qualified applications are not received by the initial closing date, the announcement may be extended to allow additional applications.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND

The following Minimum Qualifications are required for this job. You must demonstrate possession of these qualifications by providing a detailed description of your related experience in the work history section of your application. Please describe your work experience in your own words to represent the work you have performed that is related to the minimum qualifications for this job. You must provide a resume in order for your application to be considered complete.

Degree Requirements

Possesses a bachelor’s degree in juvenile justice, criminal justice, corrections, public administration, education, social or behavioral sciences, business administration, or related field

Specific Experience

Held role with progressive experience in a detention/correctional facility or with probation services

Held managerial role within a detention/correctional facility or probation function

Experience managing a work unit

Managed a work unit (10 or more people)

Experience as a 2nd level manager (i.e., supervised a supervisor)

Responsible for setting goals and making key decisions at a unit level

Good knowledge of the principal and practices of accounting and the methods of administering and monitoring finances, including preparing, submitting, and managing a budget for a department

Responsible for evaluating the performance of those within a unit

Experience implementing and monitoring work unit strategy

Responsible for a concrete substantial change effort

Developed and implemented a strategic initiative

Responsible for managing and delivering results on several high-level projects at the unit level (i.e., more than individual level objectives)

Experience interacting with key internal and external stakeholders

Experience working in a high stress environment involving multiple constituents and working under pressure, dealing with multiple deadlines, and plan workload

Responsible for a function that delivers services to internal and external customers

Held roles involving forging positive interpersonal working relationships

Responsible for the development and growth of multiple others (e.g., coaching activities, formal mentoring)

Responsible for delivering complex communications to multiple parties (verbal and/or written)

Experience working in environments that require adherence to high professional and ethical

standards

Exposure to essential work tasks and/or processes in non-profit or government, or in a private organization that has constraints resembling those in the public sector

PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AND BACKGROUND

Degree and Certification Preference

Advanced degree in criminal justice, corrections, public administration, social or behavioral sciences, business administration, or related field

Specific Experience

Held role with progressive exposure to juvenile or youth services

Experience working with, or knowledge of, court and probation systems

Experience working with, or knowledge of, state and/or federal regulations relating to juveniles

Considerable knowledge of current issues and developments in the field of Juvenile Justice in general and Juvenile Detention in specific

Experience facilitating an education program to ensure students receive instruction that aligns with requirements by a governmental education agency to provide grade level appropriate curriculum in accordance with a mandated course of study

Experience overseeing volunteers, teachers, and contract providers

Experience managing a work unit

Engaged in concrete personal development activities (e.g., formal programs, taking on stretch assignments, integrating a development plan into daily activities)

Held roles in which they have delegated important responsibilities to others

Proficient with maintaining cordial working relationships with supervisors, staff members, contractors, and the public

Schedules and organizes a variety of activities involving numerous individuals

Prepares professional written complex reports, correspondence, and forms relating to the staff and facility operations

Experience implementing and monitoring work unit strategy

Responsible for guiding the implementation of an innovative solution (e.g., organizational process, product)

Experience interacting with key internal and external stakeholders

Held roles in which they were responsible for resolving conflicts and driving consensus

Responsible for completing a negotiation at work

Makes oral presentations to groups and individuals concerning the detention care program

Works with County Manager, Commissioners, elected officials and other department heads to discuss and coordinate various facets of the detention center

Experience working in environments that require adherence to high professional and ethical standards

Demonstrates a track record of ethical professional behavior

Demonstrates a track record of understanding and respecting the practices, customs, and values of people from different backgrounds, perspectives, and cultures

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

EEO STATEMENT:

The Personnel Board of Jefferson County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment with the Personnel Board of Jefferson County, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.  Each Merit System member city/agency operates its own equal employment opportunity policies available on the individual city/agency website.

ACCOMMODATION:

NOTE:

This job posting may close before, or be extended beyond, the listed Target Close Date based on the employment needs of the Merit System. More detail regarding this job is available by clicking Apply.

DISCLAIMER:

This job posting is not meant to be an all-inclusive list of the job duties, responsibilities, or skills and abilities required for this position and may be changed at the discretion of the Personnel Board at any time.