How to hire a youth corrections officer

How to hire a youth corrections officer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step youth corrections officer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a youth corrections officer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new youth corrections officer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your youth corrections officer job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a youth corrections officer for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect youth corrections officer also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list presents youth corrections officer salaries for various positions.

   Type of Youth Corrections Officer	Description	Hourly rate
   Youth Corrections Officer	Correctional officers are responsible for overseeing individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been sentenced to serve time in jail or prison. Bailiffs are law enforcement officers who maintain safety and order in courtrooms.	$13-23
   Corporal	A police corporal is a person who leads a team or squad depending on how many corporals are there in a platoon. Police corporals supervise the performance of the police personnel assigned under their command... Show more	$14-42
   Custodial Officer	A custodial officer is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of facilities or buildings. They clean areas daily, conduct regular maintenance inspections, replace fixtures, perform basic repairs, rearrange furniture as necessary, and prepare facilities for public or private use... Show more	$14-27

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Safety Hazards
   • Crisis Intervention
   • Security Procedures
   • Criminal Justice
   • Correctional Facility
   • Emergency Situations
   • Direct Supervision
   • Log Book
   • Mental Health
   • Incident Reports
   • CPR
   • Classroom Management
   • Intake Process
   • Risk Youth

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage behavior modification and offender restoration rehabilitation.
   • Manage behavior modification and offender restoration rehabilitation.
   • Manage behavior modification and offender restoration rehabilitation.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your youth corrections officer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A youth corrections officer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, youth corrections officers' average salary in missouri is 60% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level youth corrections officers 40% less than senior-level youth corrections officers.
   • Certifications. A youth corrections officer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a youth corrections officer's salary.

   Average youth corrections officer salary

   $37,865yearly

   $18.20 hourly rate

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   Entry-level youth corrections officer salary

   $29,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a youth corrections officer job description

   A youth corrections officer job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a youth corrections officer job description:

   Youth corrections officer job description example

   We are seeking applicants who are committed to making a difference in the lives of Arizona's youth, and who are ready for a rewarding career, not just another job. By joining the ADJC team, you will have the unique opportunity to obtain hands-on experience and work with like-minded professionals who are dedicated to rehabilitating Arizona's youth. Are you ready to be the difference?
   
   For a limited time, we are starting at $25 per hour which includes a 15% Critical Services Pay*. We are also offering a $3,000 hiring bonus!
   *Temporary payment which can be discontinued at any time The job functions of a Youth Corrections Officer include, but are not limited to the following:
   Mentoring, supervising, and directing incarcerated youth; Role modeling positive behaviors; Teaching life skills; Assisting teachers with classroom management; Transporting youth to daily activities; Providing crisis intervention; Providing youth a safe and secure environment Additional job duties include:
   Monitoring assigned unit for safety hazards or security violations; Performing searches for weapons and contraband; Conducting visitation inspections; Updating various logs and records, and sharing reports Applicants do not need to have any prior experience or training! ADJC will provide you with all the necessary training during our paid five-week Youth Corrections Officer (YCO) Training Academy*.
   The YCO Training Academy is scheduled every five weeks, and is held Monday - Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Adobe Mountain School
   YCO Training Academy topics include, but are not limited to the following:
   Juvenile Corrections Procedures; Officer Skills; Crisis Intervention; Adolescent Treatment Issues; Legal Issues in Juvenile Corrections
   * Additionally upon completion of the YCO Training Academy, you will also receive two weeks of paid on-the-job training.
   ADJC has many career growth opportunities available for its employees such as:
   Security / Counseling & Programming / Community Corrections / Investigations / Legal Services Continue Your Education!
   ADJC is committed to employees continuing their education, and offers up to $1,500 in tuition assistance, per fiscal year (subject to funds availability)
   As a YCO Training Academy Graduate, you will already have 14 college credits in Juvenile Corrections from Rio Salado College, to start from. By Continuing your education at Rio Salado College you could complete the Associates in Applied Science (AAS) in Corrections and Detention program in no time at all. Powered by JazzHR Vu9G3B5ugV

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5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find youth corrections officers for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your youth corrections officer job on Zippia to find and recruit youth corrections officer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with youth corrections officer candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new youth corrections officer

   Once you have selected a candidate for the youth corrections officer position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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