JUVENILE JUSTICE CHIEF OF SECURITY

Position Overview:

The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice is looking for a candidate to serve as Juvenile Justice Chief of Security to work at their assigned facility. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, task oriented, shows great attention to detail, is a team player and has strong interpersonal skills. Position is responsible for administrative direction. Duties include directing security force and custodial programs; implements and maintains programs conducive to security and rehabilitative needs of the youth; assures security staff comply with policy and procedures, including Departmental Rules, Administrative Rules, and Institutional Directives.

Essential Functions:

• Under administrative direction, directs the security force and custodial program for the facility on an assigned shift.
• Serves as full line supervisor.
• Serves a Duty Administrative Officer.
• Reviews late arrival staff, absences, and roll call sign -in sheets.
• Attends in-service staff, management, and other meetings to ensure the security staff is informed of policies procedures and directives.
• 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 from an accredited college or university and requires successful completion of three years' professional staff experience involving the care of youth in a State of Illinois Juvenile Justice facility, and providing for the safety, security and well being of youth and staff.

Preferred Qualifications: (In Order of Significance):

• Prefers thorough knowledge of juvenile behavior problems, and the treatment and interventions required to develop successful and appropriate behaviors.
• Prefers thorough knowledge of rules and regulations, post assignments, and specific procedures for carrying out work assignments.
• Prefers extensive knowledge of adolescent psychological development, mental health issues affecting the juvenile offenders, and social development concerns.
• Prefers extensive knowledge of basic first aid and emergency response protocols in order to deal with emergency situations.
• Prefers ability to prepare reports of unusual happenings, accidents or violations of rules by employees and youth.
• Prefers ability to remain current on all institution rules and regulations.

Conditions of Employment:

• Requires the ability to pass an Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC)/Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) background check.
• Requires ability to pass a drug screen. The use of unauthorized drugs by an employee, regardless of position held, is prohibited.
• All candidates must be over the age of 21.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Requires physical agility and strength to stand and walk for up to three (3) hours at a time, to run for short distances, and to provide physical intervention and control as necessary to protect individuals.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This requires the ability to work evenings and weekends. This also requires the ability to work in a 24 hour ‘on call’ capacity.
• This position is considered medium work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(c)). Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• Requires 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 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:

• Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Paid parental 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 in their first year of service and can earn up to twenty-five (25) paid Vacation Days annually (based on years of service)
• Employees earn three (3) paid Personal Days annually (pro-rated based on start date)
• Thirteen-Fourteen (13-14) paid holidays annually (based on start date)
• Flexible work schedules in many program areas (remote work may be an option for certain positions)