Protective Services Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Salary : $52,187.20 - $77,376.00 Annually
Location : 1700 Oliver Hill Way, Richmond, VA
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 15M00000316
Department: Justice Services
Opening Date: 07/20/2026
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• Virginia Retirement System (VRS)
• Language Incentive
• Referral Bonus
• Tuition Assistance Program

Description
The City of Richmond Department of Justice Services is seeking highly qualified candidates to fill the position of Protective Services Specialist at the Juvenile Detention Center. The incumbent is responsible for providing proper counseling, recreation, and daily living activities for incarcerated residents detained at Richmond Juvenile Detention Center.
This position is considered Essential, the incumbent is required to work when the City is closed due to public emergencies, critical or hazardous conditions, and inclement weather.
Male Applicants encouraged to apply
Duties include but are not limited to

• Monitoring and enforcing security procedures and department policies and rules
• Directing and supervising daily physical education activities, including dining, recreational, personal hygiene, and housekeeping activities in a secured facility
• Providing for resident's needs, including the delivery of linens, and supplies
• Maintaining basic discipline and applies disciplinary measures for residents, including restraints as appropriate
• Counseling residents and conducts psycho-educational groups as required
• Coordinating shift tasks with other counselors; providing support, guidance, and back-up to co-workers as necessary
• Encouraging youths to participate in activities provided by the Center, supervising their participation in comprehensive activity programs including basic arts and crafts, sports, and table games; instructs and participates directly in various phases of the program
• Maintaining daily log, preparing reports and other documents related to daily activities
• Transporting residents to and from Juvenile Detention Facility when necessary
• Inspecting resident's rooms to ensure compliance with all facility policies and procedures concerning possessions, cleanliness, etc.; searches residents for contraband
• Participating in the maintenance of the building, grounds, and department equipment; performs laundry duties as necessary
• Coordinating and/or participating in special programs and projects as assigned.
• Attending meetings and training seminars to enhance job knowledge and skills and to maintain certifications
• Eating with residents each meal, supervising seating and serving, as well as table manners and general behavior
• Attending staff meetings for the purpose of exchanging information
• Assisting in admissions and release procedures for residents
• Performing related work as required

Qualifications, Special Certifications and Licenses
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Considerable knowledge of processes and procedures within the juvenile justice industry such as processing and working with detainees; and maintaining safety and order.
• Considerable knowledge of various mental health behavioral needs of detained youth.
• Considerable skills operating computer programs such as Microsoft Office suite, electronic databases, and related software applications such as Badge or Empower.
• Considerable ability to communicate with various internal and external departments.
• Ability to de-escalate adverse situations.
• Must have the ability to maintain confidentiality, established procedures, use critical thinking, and utilize independent judgment.

MINIMUM TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE:

• Associate's degree in human services, social work, criminal justice, or related field
• Experience working in a secure detention environment or with at-risk youth is preferred
• An equivalent combination of education, training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications.

LICENSING, CERTIFICATIONS, and/or OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• A valid Commonwealth of Virginia Driver's License within 30 days of hire
• A valid Driver's License with a satisfactorydriving record. (Please note: A candidate's DMV record can have no more than 6 demerit points in one year. Additionally, a candidate with a DWI/DUI conviction within 3 years of the date of application or of the date of hire automatically disqualifies an applicant. Conviction of more than one DWI/DUI automatically disqualifies an applicant).
• CPR and first aid certification are required within a timeframe established by the City after the initial hire date
• Successful completion of specialized departmental training
• This position will provide an on-the-job training program

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Previous experience working in corrections or working with incarcerated youth in a secured facility.
• Excellence in communication skills and critical thinking.
• Male applicants encouraged to apply.

Americans with Disabilities Act Requirements
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.
ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS: Working conditions may include exposure to travel to other locations within the City of Richmond as well as outside of the City of Richmond; exposure to hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, electrical currents, vibrations, etc.; atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, gases, and poor ventilation; inadequate lighting; intense noise; and environmental hazards such as disruptive people, imminent danger, and a threatening environment.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT: Due to the nature of work assignments, incumbents must be able to perform detailed work on multiple, concurrent tasks, with frequent interruptions and under time constraint. The essential duties of this classification may require the ability to regularly talk and hear; frequently reach and see; and occasionally perform repetitive motions, lift, walk, stand, crouch, kneel, stoop, and balance. The working conditions may include environmental hazards. In terms of the physical strength to perform the essential duties, this classification is considered to be sedentary , exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, and a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects.
* Internal use: HR Generalist to review.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The City of Richmond 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.
The City of Richmond is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, the City of Richmond will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodations. If you require reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to participate in the job application and/or the interview process, please contact Veronica Kenner, by email at HR-ADA@rva.gov.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
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With over 4,000 employees, the City of Richmond is an "Employer of Choice" among cities throughout the nation. The City strives to hire and retain employees who bring dedication and talent to the workforce. Offering a competitive, cost effective, and quality benefits package is one element of an "Employer of Choice".
The City offers a full range of benefit programs from initial hire through retirement. Please visit our Web site for details.
01
10-point compensable veteran. You must have an existing compensable service-connected disability of 10 percent or more. Other 10-point veteran include disabled veteran or a veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart for wound or injuries received in action, veteran's widow or widower who has not remarried, wife or husband of a veteran who has a service-connected disability, widowed, divorced or separated mother of an ex-service son or daughter who died in action, or who is totally and permanently disabled. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

02
5-point veteran's must have been discharged under honorable conditions and had one of the following: Active duty in the Armed Forces of the United States, in a war, or during the period 4/28/52-7/1/55 or active duty for more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 2/1/55 and 10/14/76 or active duty during the Gulf War sometime between 8/2/90 - 1/2/92 or active duty in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized or active duty for which more than 180 consecutive days other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning 9/11/2001 and ending on the date prescribed by the Presidential proclamation or by the law as the last date of operation Iraqi Freedom. Do any of these apply?

• Yes
• No

03
Which answer best describes your highest level of education?

• High School Diploma/ GED
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• None of the above

04
Do you have an associate degree in human services, social work, Criminal Justice, or related field?

• Yes
• No

05
Which best describes your years of work experience with at-risk youth and their families?

• Less than one year
• One to two years of experience
• Two to three years of experience
• Three to four years of experience
• Four or more years of experience

06
Which best describes your years of experience working in a secured facility, such as a juvenile detention, jail, or correctional facility?

• Less than two years of experience
• Two to three years of experience
• Three to four years of experience
• Four or more years of experience

07
Which best describes your years of experience teaching real life concepts to adolescents?

• Less than two years of experience
• Two to three years of experience
• Four to five years of experience
• Six or more years of experience

08
Which best describes how often you have engaged in professional counseling groups with adolescents in your current or previous position?

• Daily
• Weekly
• Monthly
• Never

09
Do you have CPR and First Aid certifications? Certification will be required within an established period of timeframe, if hired.

• Yes
• No

10
Do you have a valid VA State Driver's License?

• Yes
• No

Required Question