Teacher - IGNITE Program Initiative

The Teacher at the Western South Dakota Juvenile Services Center (JSC) is charged with preparing students aged 10 up to 20 for meaningful lives by contributing to the educational and social development in a detention setting.  Safety and security of the students and staff is of the highest priority.

Teachers instruct with the assistance of correctional staff. Classrooms consist of multiple grade, age and school district combinations.

Teachers are staffed during the Rapid City School District Calendar and serve a two-week period during the summer months. Teachers are on an independent paid leave schedule due to paid time allotted during the school district closures and summer months when no work is performed.Essential Functions:

• Facilitate student assignments, track and document homework that enters and leaves the Juvenile Services Center and both adult and juvenile IGNITE Program participants.
• Correct student modules, report grades to home school, document grades and correspond with each student’s school.
• Implement the classroom rules and document students’ behaviors hourly and in weekly secured narratives.
• Communicate with other teachers in the facility to serve students’ educational needs and areas of concern to administration.
• Communicate with students’ home schools regarding educational services.
• Provide work to lower level students and/or not currently enrolled students until staffed with the school district and work with special education teacher and title teacher to provide special services for students.
• Maintain control of inventoried items, working closely with line staff to anticipate problems, closely monitoring students’ behavior while in the classroom and responding accordingly to prevent behavior problems.
• Continually upgrade educational skills by attending classes and workshops provided by the school district and Pennington County Sheriff’s Office and attend other meetings and trainings as required.
• Document pertinent information on the homework email account.  
• Perform related duties as assigned by supervisor.
• Maintain compliance with all county policies and procedures.  

This job specification should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive duties of the position.   Incumbents may be required to follow any other instructions, and to perform any other related duties, as may be required.Education and/or Experience Required:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree; must meet education certification requirements as established by the State of South Dakota.
• One year teaching experience in a juvenile detention or similar setting preferred.
• Special education experience preferred.
• Possession of or ability to readily obtain a valid South Dakota Driver’s License within 90 days of moving to South Dakota.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to safely and successfully perform the essential job functions consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state and local standards, including meeting qualitative and quantitative productivity standards
• Ability to maintain regular, punctual attendance consistent with the ADA, FMLA, and other federal, state and local standards
• This position frequently remains stationary for long periods of time and needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
• Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery such as a calculator, copy machine and printer.
• Must be able to move up to 20 pounds unassisted, and move 40 pounds with assistance.
• Must be able to communicate clearly and effectively on telephone, in-person and in writing.

Working Environment:  

• Work is generally performed in a classroom within a correctional facility.
• This position will include close interactions with detainees.