Job Title: Youth Accountability Specialist	Salary Grade: 17
Division/Department: Court Operations/Detention Services	Salary: $71,073.60
Reports To: Deputy Director of Programs	Date Posted: 6/18/26
FLSA Status: Exempt	Last Revised: 6/10/26

 

Benefits of Employment  

Insurance: Comprehensive Health, Dental, Vision, Life and an Employee Assistance Program.  Supplemental Life may be purchased at group rates.

Paid Time Off: Twelve (12) holidays, vacation time (after 6 months) of three (3) weeks per year for the first eight (8) years of service, and sick time.

Retirement: Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS) with 14% annual employer contribution and Deferred Compensation Plans.

Job Summary

The Youth Accountability Specialist is responsible for developing, implementing, and overseeing a trauma-informed Behavior Management Program that promotes positive youth behavior, accountability, and rehabilitation within a juvenile detention setting. This position serves as the facility's lead resource for behavior management, restorative justice practices, youth accountability initiatives, and staff training, ensuring consistent program implementation across all housing units. The Specialist collaborates with facility staff, residents, and community partners to evaluate and enhance programming through evidence-based practices, data collection, and continuous improvement efforts. This position also facilitates restorative interventions, youth engagement programs, and staff development initiatives that support a safe, structured, and growth-focused environment for youth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to satisfactorily perform each essential duty listed below. Reasonable accommodations will be made for disabled persons covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, in accordance with its requirements.

 

Develop, implement, and continuously evaluate a research-supported, trauma-informed Behavior Management Program (BMP) that includes restorative practices and a youth court process designed to promote positive youth behavior, accountability, skill development, and rehabilitation rather than punitive discipline.

 

Collaborate with facility leadership, direct-care staff, and youth to obtain feedback, build program support, and ensure the Behavior Management Program remains responsive to facility needs. Develop quantitative and qualitative measures to evaluate current programs and use data to develop a new system. Continue to collect data for ongoing evaluation of the BMP and to make adjustments accordingly.

 

Develop specialized behavior management interventions and program modifications for specific populations or housing units, including gender-responsive programming and other individualized approaches as needed. Participate in the development of and implementation of Special Management Plans as needed and as it pertains to accountability measures.

 

Develop and deliver comprehensive training for new and existing staff regarding Behavior Management Program policies, procedures, expectations, and implementation practices.

 

Monitor, track, and maintain all Behavior Management Program documentation, records, reports, and electronic database entries, ensuring accuracy and timely completion. Ensure the Behavior Management Program Policy and Handbook are always current.

 

Ensure consistent implementation and application of the Behavior Management Program across all housing units and shifts. Review, investigate, and respond to all resident grievances related to the Behavior Management Program in a timely and professional manner.

 

Facilitate restorative circles, conferences, panels, mediation sessions, and other restorative processes when appropriate to address conflict, accountability, and relationship-building.

 

Perform other duties as assigned in support of facility operations, resident rehabilitation, staff development, and organizational objectives.

 

Supervisory Responsibilities

Assist with supervising interns in related fields including social work, professional counseling, education, and programming.

Equipment Operated

Standard office equipment and office technology such as copy machines, personal computers and telephones.

Confidential Data

All court-related information regarding hearings, etc. that the employee may come in contact with by working in the facility.

Working Conditions

Potential exposure to hazardous situations that occur in the Court environment.  Must be able to tolerate exposure to evidence and testimony that may be disturbing, clients who may potentially be verbally or physically uncooperative, allergens, such as perfumes and dust. Must be willing to work flexible hours and be available as needed seven (7) days a week, 24 hours a day.  

Usual Physical Demands

While performing duties of this job, the employee frequently sits, walks and stands. 

Must pass a physical fitness/agility test and be able to demonstrate the following: 

1. Ability to push and pull objects, pick up objects, and bend repeatedly in order to move desks, beds, and other furniture to conduct security checks and search residents.

2. Ability to step up on elevated surfaces to conduct room searches.

3. Ability to reach, bend, and stoop to perform security checks, and other tasks.

4. Ability to walk extended periods throughout the facility.

5. Ability to stand for extended periods.

6. Ability to physically restrain residents under adverse conditions, including ability to enforce rules, regulations, and directives with non-compliant residents that may physically resist.

7. Ability to respond to emergency situations according to Detention Center policies, procedures and protocols.

8. Ability to utilize restraint equipment appropriately.

9. Ability to effectively communicate verbal commands and directives through the intercom/radio transmission monitoring system.

10. Ability to lift and carry containers of items weighing up to 45 lbs.

11. Must be available on-site and on-call to meet departmental needs.

12. Must demonstrate competency in implementing defensive tactics and satisfactorily complete all of the requirements in training of defensive tactics; including passing the recertification.

New employees are required to pass Defensive Tactics Training by the end of the introductory period.

Must perform tasks, duties, and job responsibilities without restrictions and/or limitations.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills, and Abilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.  

 

Excellent verbal, written, and interviewing communication skills; ability to establish rapport and maintain working relationships with residents, staff, outside agencies, stakeholders, various professionals, and the public; able to work as a member of a multi-system team; demonstrable skills in organization; attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate records; ability to create, implement, and analyze data and research; ability to effectively evaluate programs; willingness to think creatively about behavior management interventions and implement new systems; ability to use Microsoft Office products such as Word, Teams and Excel; ability to utilize Zoom or other virtual tools; ability to access the internet as it specifically relates to this position. Understands adolescent growth and development. Knowledge of non-traditional approaches, family dynamics and human behavior, as well as community and court resources. Must be culturally competent.  Able to handle stressful / volatile situations, which may include handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts of staff and residents. Flexibility in work hours to accommodate program needs including, but not limited to, consultation on an emergency or as needed basis 7 days / week, 24 hours / day, in person or by telephone.

 

Education and/or Experience

Requires a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Counseling, Human Services or Education field from an accredited institution. Prefer a Master’s Degree in the fields listed above.

 

AND

 

Requires five (5) years of experience working with adolescents, preferably in a Detention/Placement/Education setting.
 

Licensure or Certification Requirements

Prefer a Qualified Mental Health Specialist (QMHS) or any level of licensure of Social Worker or Professional Counselor in the State of Ohio. Prefer a license with a Supervisory designation. 

 

Pursue and maintain specialized certifications and professional development opportunities, including Restorative Justice Practitioner and Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) certification and trainer status, to support staff development and program enhancement.

Court Expectations of Employee

In accomplishing the responsibilities of this position, the Court expects that the employee will adhere to the mission and values of the Court as well as all Court policies and procedures.  In addition, while carrying out the duties of this position, the employee is expected to model high ethical conduct on and off the job and exhibit a professional and respectful demeanor with all Court employees. 

 

Court Mission Statement

To administer justice, rehabilitate juveniles, support and strengthen families, and promote public safety.

 

Application Procedure

Current Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Juvenile Division Employees:

• The deadline to apply is _6/26/26_.
• Please visit https://juvenilecourt.applicantstack.com/x/openings-internal to complete and submit the Job Posting Response Form to the Human Resources Division.
• The Job Posting Response form must be received in Human Resources by the job posting deadline for consideration as a candidate for the posted position.
• If you do not meet the minimum requirements, you can submit a waiver to Human Resources. Please refer to the Employee Handbook Policy number 1.02.04.

External Applicants:  

• This position will remain posted until filled.  
• Please visit https://juvenilecourt.applicantstack.com/x/openings to view this posting and to complete and submit the Application for Employment.   

 

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