Agency : Department of Juvenile Justice
Opening Date/Time: 08/02/2023 at 12:00 am
Closing Date/Time: 08/15/2023 at 11:59 pm
Salary: Anticipated starting salary is $4,982/month (Step 1C); CBA applies; Full Range: $4,982 – $7,703
Job Type: Salaried Full Time
County: Cook
Number of Vacancies: 1
Plan/BU: RC062
This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.
Qualifying state employees in the Upward Mobility Program should follow the Upward Mobility Policy Guidelines when applying for this title.
All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.
Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.
Posting Identification Number 29717
Position Overview
The Department of Juvenile Justice is seeking a compassionate and motivated candidate to assist in the positive rehabilitation of the youth in our care. The ideal candidate for this position will possess a passion for positive change, the ability to apply a high degree of patience with residents and their families, and the ability to confidently develop and implement recommendations for positive behavior change and rehabilitation. The incumbent in this role will possess excellent communication skills both orally and in writing as they will have daily interaction with various youth, other staff both inside and outside the facilities, families of the residents, and members of the community. The Juvenile Justice Youth and Family Specialist plays a critical role in the maintenance and rehabilitation of the youth in our care. If this sounds like an opportunity that fits the career path you’re looking for, then IDJJ is looking for you! We encourage all interested and qualified candidates to apply!
Job Responsibilities
- Provides counseling and case management services to youth on an assigned caseload and incoming youth during their initial orientation.
- Delivers and facilitates group programming and activities to build youth skills.
- Ensures youth receive appropriate programs and interventions.
- Addresses youth requests.
- Documentation of case management activities, youth needs, interventions, and programming.
- Interviews youth and families.
- Participates in continuing education programs, training, and staff development to build skills and acquire knowledge of programs and services.
- Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.
Minimum Qualifications
- Requires a bachelor’s degree in counseling or a closely related social sciences degree and two (2) years of professional experience working with youth in juvenile services. OR a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and three (3) years of professional experience in counseling or casework.
This title is included as an Upward Mobility Program credential title.
Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)
- Prefers at least four (4) years of professional experience applying the theories of personality and deviant behavior, delinquency, and criminology in a juvenile justice or social services setting.
- Prefers at least three (3) years of experience applying cognitive behavioral treatment for youth in a congregate care setting.
- Prefers formal specialized training and/or three (3) years of professional experience working with the sociology of family and of racial and cultural minorities, urban sociology, and social problems.
- Prefers at least three (3) years of experience writing professional reports in a social service and/or related field.
- Prefers at least three (3) years of experience preparing comprehensive evaluations for youth in a social service and/or congregate care setting.
- Prefers at least three (3) years of experience developing recommendations for rehabilitation and positive behavioral change programs for youth.
- Prefers at least three (3) years of experience administering objective psychometric tests to youth in a social service and/or congregate care setting.
- Prefers at least three (3) years of experience with parole placement and/or recommendation for youth.
- Prefers at least four (4) years of experience utilizing a personal computer for data tracking and the preparation of work reports and/or case management.
- Prefers the ability to apply a high degree of tact, patience, empathy, and insight in the skillful counseling of residents, families, parents, and relatives.
- Prefers the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Conditions of Employment
All applicants must be able to meet the following Conditions of Employment to be considered for this position. The State of Illinois complies with federal and state disability laws and will make reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities.
- All candidates must be over the age of 21.
- Requires possession of a valid drivers license and the ability to travel in the performance of duties.
- Requires the successful completion of an initial pre-service training curriculum.
- Requires the ability to pass an IDOC/IDJJ background check.
- Requires ability to pass a drug screen. The use of unauthorized drugs by an employee, regardless of position held, is prohibited.
- Requires the ability to comply with all local and federal health requirements and/or mandates.
About the Agency
The mission of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) is to build youth skills and strengthen families by promoting community safety and positive youth outcomes. Over 900 staff members from across various departments-security, programming, education, mental health, and more-collaborate with the understanding that youth are physically, emotionally, and cognitively different from adults. The department provides extensive services to young people through a developmental, treatment-focused model of care that builds youth resiliency, engages families, and promotes community safety at the five youth facilities it operates across the state. IDJJ serves and houses approximately 150 youth and is responsible for approximately 500 youth on Aftercare in various Illinois’ communities.
Benefits
The Department of Juvenile Justice offers an excellent benefits package including:
- Flexible work schedules in many program areas
- Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance
- Pension Plan
- Ten (10) Weeks paid Maternity/Paternity Leave
- Pre-tax benefits programs including but not limited to: Deferred Compensation, Medical, Daycare, etc.
- Employees earn twelve (12) paid Sick Days annually
- New Employees earn ten (10) paid Vacation Days their first year of service and can earn up to twenty-five (25) paid Vacation Days annually
- Employees earn three (3) paid Personal Days annually
- Thirteen-Fourteen (13-14) paid holidays annually (based on start date)
Work Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm; Wednesday 10:30 am – 7:30 pm
Work Location: 136 N. Western Ave. Chicago, IL 60612
Agency Contact:
IYC Chicago Human Resources Department
Email: DJJ.IYCChicago.HumanResources@illinois.gov
Job Family: Social Services; Health Services; Public Safety
This position DOES NOT contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.
If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.
State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.
Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.
If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:
State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid
Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.
The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:
- donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
- systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com