JUVENILE JUSTICE SPECIALIST INTERN (UMP)

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 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! 

Essential Functions:

• Under immediate supervision, and subsequently under direct supervision for a period of twelve months, participates in the supervision of the daily activities of youth including mealtimes, sleeping, recreation, and work.
• Interacts with youth.
• Receives training on searching, inspecting facility and work locations for contraband.
• Provides input into the development of individualized service plans.
• Operates vehicle to transport youth.
• Administers non-prescription medication to youth at designated time and completes appropriate medication forms.
• Attends workshops and in service training to attain, develop new and updated skill and proficiency to carry out specialized delivery programs to targeted youth involving group or individual services.
• Performs other duties required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications:

• QUALIFICATION PATH A:
  
  Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to the completion of four years of high school.
  
  Requires two years of experience providing direct care to youth in the form of residential care, coaching, case management or mentoring.

Or

• QUALIFICATION PATH B:
  
  Requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

This class title is included as an Upward Mobility Program credential title.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance):

• Prefers elementary knowledge of juvenile behavior problems, and the means to develop successful and appropriate behaviors.
• Prefers elementary knowledge of adolescent psychological development, mental health issues affecting the juvenile offenders, and social development concerns.
• Prefers ability to work with clients in an empathetic and understanding manner in order to engender cooperation in daily living activities and support the individual development process in accordance with a service delivery plan.
• Prefers ability to successfully complete a comprehensive Department of Juvenile Justice training program.
• Prefers ability to communicate effectively with troubled youth, their family members and significant others and other professional service delivery staff.
• Prefers ability to follow oral and written instructions, and regulatory requirements.
• Prefers ability to write reports, and maintain records, some of which require keyboarding skill.
• Prefers ability to organize/coordinate and lead recreational and social activities.

Conditions of Employment:

• 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.
• Candidates must be over the age of 21.
• Requires the successful completion of a Department of Juvenile Justice Training Program.
• Requires possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license.
• Requires physical agility and strength to stand and walk for up to three hours at a time, to run for short distances, and to provide physical intervention and control, as necessary, in order to protect and/or restrain individuals. 

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.

HOW TO APPLY:

1. Be sure you meet the qualifications listed above.
2.  Fill out an Electronic Application at least 3 business days before the screening you will attend.
3. Prepare a comprehensive resume to bring to the screening.
4. Gather the needed identification documents listed on the Items to Bring to Screening page. Most importantly, bring a COPY of your driver's license AND your original license to the screening. 
5. Attend an employment screening. (Be sure you have done the electronic application a few days in advance. Don't forget to bring your driver's license, a copy of your driver's license, and your resume. Bring all other additional completed forms as well.