Careers

Overview

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department is a state agency focused on youth and public safety. We are looking for talented, dedicated professionals in positions that range from Juvenile Correctional Officers and Case Managers to Lawyers and Accountants.

If you are ready for a career that makes a difference in the lives of young Texans, we invite you to browse our open positions.

Browse all open positions »

How to Apply

To apply, you will need to complete the following forms:

  1. State of Texas Application for Employment
    Note: For most positions, you can complete this application online via the Texas Comptroller's Job Search Engine.
  2. TJJD Employment Application Supplement (choose one)
  3. Child Abuse Registry Check Consent Form
  4. Disclosure of PREA Employment Standards Violation
  5. Authorization to Release Information

Authorization to Release Information 

If you would like instructions for completing the State of Texas Application for Employment, please download the following document:

  1. Instructions for Completing the State of Texas Application for Employment

Benefits and Salaries

TJJD offers a range of positions with competitive salaries, strong benefits, and the chance for advancement. To learn more, download the following documents:

  1. Benefits Overview (.doc)
  2. State of Texas Salary Schedules ( ↗ )

Teachers at TJJD schools earn pay that is competitive with public schools in Texas and follows a pay ladder that provides salary increases for experience. Here is the current salary ladder for TJJD teachers.

Teacher Salary Ladder 9 2023

Teacher Additional Compensation 2023

County Positions

  • View open county positions
  • Post a county position

Calling All Nurses!

TJJD is looking for the best registered nurses in Texas to join our team. If you are a licensed registered nurse, UTMB Health has immediate openings at our campuses.

Why join our team?

  • Competitive pay with opportunities for rapid advancement
  • Comprehensive health care plan
  • Generous vacation and sick leave allotments
  • Enrollment in the state retirement plan
  • But the most important reason of all to join TJJD is that you’ll find the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of young Texans from day one.

To find out about open positions, search "TJJD" on the UTMB Health jobsite »

Become a JCO

Are you ready for a challenging new career? Become a TJJD Juvenile Correctional Officer!

The Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD) operates secure facilities and halfway houses throughout the State, and employs approximately 1,200 Juvenile Correctional Officers.

If you want a good paying job with benefits, stability, promotional opportunities, and the chance to perform meaningful and important work, a Juvenile Correctional Officer position may be for you.

If you meet the eligibility criteria and are ready for a challenge, willing to learn, and prepared to work as a team member in a structured environment, we encourage you to consider employment as a TJJD Juvenile Correctional Officer.

The training you receive upon hire will help you gain the knowledge and skills you need.

JCO Career Ladder

NOTE: The chart above reflects recent salary increases passed by the 88th Legislature and effective July 1, 2023, for all active fulltime state employees. Part-time employees also received an increase based on their part-time status as outlined by state guidelines.

Learn about becoming a TJJD Juvenile Correctional Officer

Enjoy Outstanding Benefits

  • Paid holidays, vacation leave, and sick leave
  • Paid group live and health insurance for employee
  • Optional dental and vision insurance for employees and family members
  • Optional life and health insurance for family members
  • Retirement plan
  • Educational Assistance Program
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Free meals while on duty
  • Career ladder for advancement

Employee Referrals

The Employee Referral Program is designed to aid in the recruitment and retention of quality employees by encouraging current TJJD employees to refer individuals for open positions within the agency. To participate in this program, the applicant and current employee complete the appropriate sections of the Employee Referral of Applicant for Employment form. If the referred applicant is selected for employment, the referring TJJD employee will receive a $100.00 gift card.

Employees


Employees who would like to participate in the Employee Referral Program may do so by requesting the Employee Referral Form from their local HR Administrator (HRA), Central Office HR, or downloading the Employee Referral Form. The employee must complete the Referring TJJD Employee section and give the form to the applicant to attach to each of his/her applications for employment. Current employees that are in a vacant position's line of supervision are not eligible to refer applicants to the vacant position. A human resources employee or an HR recruiter whose essential job functions include the recruitment of applicants for employment is also ineligible for the award.

Referred Applicants


Applicants for employment with the TJJD may download the Employee Referral Form. The applicant must complete the Referred Applicant section and ensure that the TJJD employee has thoroughly completed the Referring Employee section. It is the applicant's responsibility to attach the form when submitting his/her application. Current and/or former TJJD employees or former employees of the Texas Juvenile Probation Commission or the Texas Youth Commission are not eligible to be "referred" applicants.

Hiring Authority


If the referred applicant is hired, the hiring authority will submit the Employee Referral Form and the application through the normal procedures for application processing (Local HR Administrator or Central Office HR).

Local HR Administrators


The local HR Administrator will review and process the form. The local HR Administrator will complete Section III of the HR-130 form and forward the form to the employee awards coordinator at Central Office human resources. The gift card will be purchased once the referred applicant begins his/her first day of work. If the referred applicant does not commence work as scheduled, the referring employee is not granted the gift card. The local HR Administrator will then scan/email the form to the Central Office employee awards coordinator.

Central Office HR Employment Services


The employee awards coordinator will coordinate the purchase of the gift card and forward the gift card to the appropriate business office for distribution to the referring employee.TJJD has a generous employee referral program. If you currently work for TJJD and know someone who is qualified and would be a great fit in our culture, encourage them to apply. To learn more about participating in this program, download the following document:
  1. Employee Referral of Applicant for Employment (.pdf)
    (Note: To qualify, this form must be submitted along with the prospective employee’s application materials.)

Contacts

Central Office, District Parole Offices, and Halfway Houses


Human Resources - (512) 490-7670

Psychology and Mental Health Professionals for all locations

Mental Health Recruiter


(512) 490-7130

Evins Regional Juvenile Center (Edinburg, Texas)


Human Resources - (956) 289-5500 x5122

Recruiter - (956) 957-8113

Gainesville State School (Gainesville, Texas)

Human Resources - (940) 665-0701 x122

Recruiter – (940) 443-2426

Giddings State School (Giddings, Texas)

Human Resources - (979) 542-4500 x4543

Recruiter – (979) 716-2131

McLennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility (Mart, Texas)

Human Resources - (254) 297-8200 x8222

Recruiter - (254) 722-9276

Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex (Brownwood, Texas)

Human Resources - (325) 641-4200 x6476

Recruiter – (325) 203-7436