Juvenile Program Worker/Cook - Long Creek Youth Development Center, South Portland.

If you are a current State of Maine employee, please submit your application through the internal application process using the Find Jobs report in PRISM. Seasonal employees who do not have PRISM access should apply through the State’s career page and indicate on the application that they have previously worked for the State.

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Juvenile Program Worker/Cook - Long Creek Youth Development Center, South Portland.
Grade 16: $26.56/hr – $31.89/hr (this rate includes $1.00/hour direct care stipend.) This rate does not include any applicable shift differentials or overtime.
Job Class Code: 5216
033002641
Open: September 25, 2026
Close: October 09, 2026
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Be that influence of change in the lives of Maine’s justice-involved youth. A Juvenile Program Worker (JPW) at Long Creek Youth Development Center is more than a traditional Youth Correctional Officer role. The detained and committed juvenile residents of Long Creek are up to 21 years old, often with a history of trauma and concurrent mental health and substance use disorders, chronic behavioral issues, and/or aggression. We recruit moral, ethical, and dependable candidates as JPWs to be a role model, life coach, and a positive, supportive adult that can be missing in their lives. JPWs blend youth correctional officer and social worker responsibilities and provide direct supervision, safety, security, assistance, and accountability.

If you enjoy a challenge, thrive in high-pressure situations, have confidence that you will make a difference, and want to join a team of like-minded professionals dedicated to the transformation and treatment of juvenile residents, read on to learn more.

As a Juvenile Program Worker - Cook, your work will involve preparing and serving approximately 180 meals per day.  Responsibilities include monitoring security of assigned areas, instructing and training residents in kitchen sanitation and basic food preparation, serving food, and assisting the Correctional Cook Supervisor.  This position will also cover juvenile program worker's duties in the units when needed. To affect change in those in our care, a JPW is also a role model, life coach, and positive, supportive adult. A JPW truly can impact Maine’s justice-involved youth towards a better path.

Minimum Requirements to Apply:

• At least 18-Years-Old.
• HS Diploma or Equivalent (HiSET, GED, etc.).
• Valid driver's license to apply, Maine driver’s license upon hire.
• No serious criminal or extensive motor vehicle records. See Automatic Disqualifiers.

Work/Life Balance:

A base schedule of working 7 out of 14 days per pay period ADDS UP TO HALF OF THE YEAR OFF!

We are a 24/7/365 secured facility with 12-Hour shifts, Night, Weekend, and Shift Differentials, Premium Overtime Pay, and Merit and Longevity Increases.

NO MANDATED OVERTIME ON YOUR SCHEDULED DAYS OFF unless in extremely rare, emergency cases.

Duties:

We believe that compassion plays a vital role in the transformation process and seek candidates who are able to foster positive relationships with juvenile residents while maintaining appropriate boundaries. As a Juvenile Program Worker, you are responsible for ensuring the safety and security of all individuals under your care. This includes enforcing rules and regulations, monitoring juvenile resident behavior, utilizing crisis de-escalation techniques, and assisting residents in obtaining pro-social skills.

Responsibilities Include:

• Be a mentor, act as a role model, and encourage positive pro-social change in juvenile residents.
• Provide a safe and secure environment for adjudicated and detained youth.
• Assist juvenile residents in meeting appropriate standards of behavior.
• Ensure residents' compliance with rules and regulations.
• Communicate with and de-escalate juvenile residents exhibiting difficulty interacting within the milieu.
• Promote a normalization culture within Long Creek’s total learning environment.
• Supervise, guide, and motivate juvenile residents to maintain a safe and healthy environment.
• Perform searches of living quarters and areas, buildings, and grounds to prevent possession of contraband.
• Transport juvenile residents to court, appointments, and daily activities.
• Observe and report individual and group interactions and resident participation in treatment programs.
• Update logs, maintain detailed records, and share information to support the rehabilitation process.
• Counsel, support, and advise residents regarding peer interactions, rules, and regulations, health and safety standards, and treatment strategies.
• Utilize pro-social communication, de-escalation techniques, and skills obtained through training provided to maintain safety and security.
• Evaluate the potential for negative interactions and respond with trauma-informed interventions and behavior management.

Desirable Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

To successfully perform the assigned work once hired, one must possess certain knowledge, skills, and abilities. These can be learned on the job and through the top-of-the-line education and training that is provided by Maine Department of Corrections. These include:

Knowledge of:

• Adolescent development and behavior.
• Methods of providing care, custody, and supervision of juvenile residents in our care.
• Counseling techniques and modern security principles and practices.
• Trauma informed care.
• Restorative justice practices.

Ability to:

• Model appropriate behavior, attitude, ethics, and morals.
• Provide guidance and leadership to juveniles.
• Communicate clearly and effectively in both verbal and in writing.
• Maintain order and supervise juveniles, individually and in groups.
• Assess adverse situations and act according to appropriate protocol.
• Exercise independent judgment, discretion, and self-control.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Observe and communicate situations and resident behavior in detail.
• Prepare detailed reports of activities.
• Understand and follow instructions, interpret, and enforce youth center rules.

Benefits Summary (further details below): 

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including:

• Health, Dental, Vision, and Life insurances.
• 25-year MainePERS Retirement.
• Paid Vacation, Holidays, and Sick leave.
• 6 weeks of Paid Parental Leave for new parents.
• 17 days of paid Military Leave for active-duty soldiers.
• Employee Assistance Program offering free support on work/life, financial, legal, and confidential counseling matters.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement up to $40 per month.
• We are an eligible employer in the Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program.
• Uniforms provided.
• Free meals when service is during your shift.
• Paid Education, Training, & State Certification

Successful JPWs come from all walks of life. Bring your desire and commitment to be a positive role model and we will provide you with the best training and education to begin a stable and rewarding career.

• Six-Week paid ‘Juvenile Basic Corrections Training Program’ (JBCTP) with State Certification.
• Classroom instruction and hands-on scenario training in the secured facility.
• JBCTP held at Long Creek Youth Development Center in South Portland, ME.

Learn More:

• How to Become a Juvenile Program Worker: https://www.maine.gov/corrections/careers/co
• Preparing for Your Interview: https://www.maine.gov/corrections/careers/interview

About Long Creek Youth Development Center:

Located in South Portland, ME, Long Creek is the ONLY secure juvenile justice center in Maine. Our facility is focused on the wellbeing of juvenile residents and staff. We offer multiple programs to support behavioral rehabilitation, educational attainment, and workforce skills for justice-involved youth.

Known for its working waterfront, many parks and lighthouses, and retail outlets and restaurants, South Portland offers suburban living with metropolitan nightlife. Enjoy the land, water, and air by being only minutes from the ocean, a 30-minute drive to Maine’s mountains, and steps away from the Portland Jetport. Find camaraderie and a sense of belonging when you join our team. We are invested in increasing public safety through improved outcomes for our juvenile residents. This is a great place for applicants interested in public safety, social work, behavioral health, case management, probation, law enforcement, acuity care, adolescent development, advocacy, or psychology.

About Maine Department of Corrections:

MDOC is destigmatizing corrections for the betterment of all Maine communities. Through the ‘Maine Model of Corrections’, we promote the safety of our staff and residents while reducing barriers to meaningful rehabilitative opportunities. We facilitate restorative justice practices that equip justice-involved residents and clients with the skills they need to become contributing members of society upon release, including treatment, education, and job training. We are committed to rebuilding lives and are searching for great team players, with a professional attitude and well-developed integrity and ethics, to join us in this mission.

State of Maine Benefits:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and well-being with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave. When you or immediate members of your family are ill, utilize 12 days of sick leave per year.
• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums ($12,213.60-$13,650.48 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.

• Health Insurance Premium Credit – Participation decreases employee-only premiums by 5%. Visit the Office of Employee Health and Wellness for more information about program requirements.
• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($365.28 annual value).
• Retirement Plan – The State of Maine contributes a percentage of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
• Gym Membership Reimbursement – Improve overall health with regular exercise and receive up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
• Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts – Set aside money pre-tax to help pay for out-of-pocket health care expenses and/or daycare expenses.
• Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness – The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program. For more information, visit the Federal Student Aid office.
• Living Resources Program – Navigate challenging work and life situations with our employee assistance program.
• Parental Leave – One of the most important benefits for any working parent. All employees who are welcoming a child—including non-birthing and adoptive parents—receive six weeks of fully paid parental leave. Additionally, unpaid leave may also be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
• Voluntary Deferred Compensation – Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package, covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness.

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for part-time employment. 

There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodation is provided for qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Thinking about applying?

Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply for jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.

REMINDER: Current state employees should apply for new open positions through PRISM using the “Find Jobs” report within the system, not through the external career page. More information on how to apply for jobs in PRISM can be found on the PRISM Learning - Home page under “Job Aids”. Please contact your HR team with any questions or for support.

Currently, this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or STEM OPT extensions.

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