Trainee Mountain Operations Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $43,397.00 - $56,646.00 Annually
Location : Franklin County, PA
Job Type: Civil Service Permanent Full-Time
Job Number: CS-2026-52081-41785
Department: Department of Human Services
Division: HS Bur Juv Jus Srvs Ctrl Rgn
Opening Date: 07/01/2026
Closing Date: 9/30/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code: 41785
Position Number: Multiple positions may be filled from this posting.
Union: AFSCME
Bargaining Unit: N1
Pay Group: ST03
Bureau / Division Code: 00210881
Bureau / Division: Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services, Central Region
Worksite Address: South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit
Worksite Address: 10056 South Mountain Road
City: South Mountain, Pennsylvania
Zip Code: 17261
Contact Name: HHS Intake Section
Contact Email: ra-oahhsintakesec@pa.gov
THE POSITION
Join the South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit as a Juvenile Justice Specialist Trainee with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Juvenile Justice Services. This is your chance to build strong skills while helping young people make better choices. In this role, you will learn from experienced staff and grow into a trusted support for youth in need. Take the first step toward a meaningful career that creates real change.
Successful completion of the six-month training program results in a promotion to a Juvenile Justice Specialist with an increase in salary!
Watch this video to see how you can make a difference!
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
This role prepares you to grow into a Juvenile Justice Specialist through 6 months of classroom instruction and hands-on experience. You will build the skills needed to support and guide young people while working under close supervision. As a Juvenile Justice Specialist Trainee, you will perform the following duties:

• Training Participation: Attend formal classroom sessions and complete assigned learning activities
• Skill Development: Apply new techniques in communication, supervision, and youth engagement
• Safety Practices: Follow procedures for security, crisis response, and safe facility operations
• Professional Conduct: Demonstrate ethical behavior and positive interactions with youth and staff
• Guided Experience: Work under supervision while receiving feedback to improve performance

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding the duties of this position may be found in the .
Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment.
• The current starting salary for the Juvenile Justice Specialist Trainee position is $20.80 / hour. Upon successful completion of the six month trainee program you will be promoted to a Juvenile Justice Specialist with a salary of $27.15 / hour.
• 2nd and 3rd shifts receive shift differential.
• Department of Human Services provides excellent benefits, contractual pay increases, paid holidays and leave entitlements, opportunity for advancement and shift selection in addition to a great work environment.
• Shift work in a 24/7/365 operation, including holidays and weekends. 8-hour shifts with no duty-free lunch. Shifts normally consist of 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 3:00 PM - 11:00 PM, and 11:00 PM - 7:00 AM. 5-day work week with 2 days off.
  • *May change based on operational needs.*
• Travel: As needed
• Overtime: As needed, voluntary and possible mandatory
• Shift Work: Yes
• Multiple positions may be filled from this posting.
• FREE PARKING!
• Must be willing to work in South Mountain, PA, Franklin County
• Telework: You will not have the option to telework in this position.
• Salary: Selected candidates who are new to employment within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania will begin employment at the starting annual salary of $43,397.00 (before taxes).
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
QUALIFICATIONS
Necessary Special Requirement:

• You must be at least 21 years old at the time of application.

Other Requirements:

• PA residency requirement is currently waived for this title.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Legal Requirements:

• This position falls under the provisions of the Child Protective Services Law.
  • Under the Law, a conditional offer of employment will require submission and approval of satisfactory criminal history reports including, but not limited to, PA State Police clearance, PA Child Abuse history clearance, and FBI Fingerprint clearance.
• A conditional offer of employment will require satisfactory completion of a medical examination and a drug screening test.

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.
The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.
EXAMINATION INFORMATION

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short !
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our
Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit and click on the benefits box.
*Eligibility rules apply.
01
41785 - By selecting yes, you are confirming as of today's date you are 21 years of age or older.

• Yes

02
41785 SMSTU - This position is located at South Mountain Secure Treatment Unit (SMSTU) in Franklin County, South Mountain, PA. Are you willing to accept employment at this facility and commute to this location? If you answer 'No' to this question, your name will not be provided to the hiring agency for employment purposes.

• Yes
• No

Required Question