Principal (Extended Services)

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice is seeking a motivated candidate to serve as our Principal of Extended Educational Services. This role offers a meaningful opportunity to lead with purpose and make a lasting impact. The incumbent will have proven experience in educational administration, approving curriculum, developing both special education and general education programming, supervising and supporting subordinate staff, and preparing and monitoring budgets. Their expertise will directly shape the quality, structure, and success of our academic services while making a meaningful difference in the lives of our students. Through strong leadership, the incumbent will ensure that our educational environment fosters growth, accountability, and opportunity - empowering students to envision and work toward a bright future. This leader will also cultivate a positive, collaborative culture that supports and develops staff, strengthening the entire program. We encourage those who possess a genuine passion for transformative education, are driven to lead with integrity, inspire others, and create pathways to student success to apply!

Essential Functions

• Plans and directs educational programs including general and special education programs for the School District-Extended Services.
• Maintains a personal program of professional development. 
• Serves as working supervisor.
• Prepares and monitors budgetary needs and expenditures.
• Attends/participates/leads staff meetings, workshops, and development programs designed to improve/expand educational offerings.
• Monitors preparation/submittal of reports required by State Board of Education, School District Contracts, Affirmative Action, Personnel, etc.
• Serves on call and available for crisis situations.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a Master's Degree with graduate credits as specified by the Illinois State Board of Education and possession of a valid Professional Educator License (PEL) with a Type 75 or Administrative Endorsement as a Principal.
• Requires three (3) years of progressively responsible educational administrative experience in a public or business organization.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

• Prefers at least four (4) years of experience working with policies and directives relative to educational leadership and the Illinois Learning Standards for School Leaders.
• Prefers at least three (3) years of experience serving in a professional supervisory role assigning work, approving time off, conducting employee performance reviews, implementing discipline, and reassigning staff to meet day to day operational needs.
• Prefers at least five (5) years of experience developing curriculum used for elementary and/or secondary educational needs.
• Prefers at least five (5) years of experience assisting with budgetary needs in an educational setting with limited resources.
• Prefers at least five (5) years of experience developing, monitoring, and submitting reports in an educational setting.
• Prefers at least five (5) years of experience meeting deadlines in a high-pressure environment.
• Prefers at least three (3) years utilizing computerized equipment and software to conduct assigned duties and tasks as required.
• Prefers working knowledge of federal of and state educational laws.
• Prefers proficiency in the use and development of computer-generated spread sheets, reports, and documents.

Conditions of Employment

• Required to pass an IDJJ/IDOC background screening.
• Required to pass an IDJJ/IDOC drug screening.
• Requires the ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires the ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

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 six 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.