JTDC - Youth Detention Specialist

Job Description

Job Description

JOB TITLE:            YOUTH DETENTION SPECIALIST
DIVISON:               RESIDENT DAILY LIFE
LOCATION:           JUVENILE TEMPORARY DETENTION CENTER
11OO S HAMILTON
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS  60612
UNION:                   TEAMSTERS 700
GRADE:                  PS1
SALARY:                $65,193

Company Overview
The Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC) provides safe and temporary housing for youth ages 10 – 18 with pending legal action in the Cook County Courts. The JTDC is dedicated to providing its youth with leadership, structured care, and supervision through a balanced approach of creative programming and services that teach responsibility, accountability, and sensitivity. Each member of the JTDC staff is actively encouraged and supported in pursuit of creative participation, personal well-being, and professional development.

As the largest juvenile detention center in the nation, the facility contains five major departments and various offices consisting of 600+ employees who serve an average daily population of 280+ residents.

The Youth Detention Specialist supervises, guides, and counsels residents through daily activities within the JTDC’s residential and educational programs.

Typical Duties

• Closely provides direct and continuous supervision of JTDC residents in accordance with policy and procedure that promote a safe, secure, and humane environment for residents and staff. This includes monitoring all resident activity to make certain that adequate security measures are maintained through conducting security checks, safety checks, resident counts, searches, and room checks at appropriate intervals.
• Supervises structured and leisure activities of the residents around the clock, including preparing residents for various group and individual activities such as religious services, classes, recreational programs, and court hearings.
• Supervises meals and coordinates distribution of food and utensils.
• Supervises and provides instruction of all activities (e.g.; bathing/showering, personal hygiene, etc.) on a daily-basis to maintain physical cleanliness and hygienic conditions of the juvenile and center. May assist in laundry  of residents’ clothing.
• Participates in the resident admission and orientation processes which includes, but is not limited to, rules and regulations applicable to residents, room assignments, and completion of appropriate shift log documentation, etc.
• Administers behavior management programs such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Pro Social behavior and social skills.
• Monitors residents for changes in behavior that may indicate potential crises in accordance with facility guidelines and alerts other staff as appropriate.
• Intervenes, when necessary, in crises in accordance with policy and procedure guidelines for physical and mechanical restraints, room confinements, or other appropriate action. Submits information to Supervisor in Charge/Team Leader/Assistant Team Leader in accordance with JTDC policy/procedure
• Escorts residents within the facility and externally as directed. This may be to accompany youth during hospital visits, funerals, and appointments at various social service agencies.
• Reports all observances of unusual behaviors of resident’s physical and mental health to the Supervisor in Charge/Team Leader/Assistant Team Leader and the designated medical and/or Mental Health authority.
• Organizes and directs participation in group recreational activities such as games, arts and crafts, gym events, outdoor activities and other activities as needed.
• Documents resident behaviors and actions daily, using observation notes, incident reports, shift change notes, RMIS shift logs and other related documentation.
• Ensures compliance with federal, state, local and JTDC policy and procedure and lawful court orders
• Maintains cleanliness of assigned PODS and common areas
• Maintains and accounts for all JTDC issued equipment to include but not limited to radio, keys and Guardian electronic device
• Communicates verbally and in writing in a coherent and effective manner through reports, and memorandums, both internally and with external agency contacts.
• In collaboration with a certified instructor, serves as an active participant in the resident’s educational program.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this classification.  They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

Minimum Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university preferably with major course work in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, or related social services.
• At least one year of previous experience with at-risk youth in a residential or community-based juvenile justice environment preferred. 
• At least one year of proven experience in a secured facility is strongly preferred.
• United States citizenship.
• 21 years of age at the time of application submission.

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description.  The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics

• Previous experience in social services or juvenile direct care.  Previous experience working with delinquent or emotionally troubled youths and/or families, which may have been in an intern or volunteer capacity.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural diversity and of socioeconomic or psychological factors affecting youth behavior.
• Ability to recognize abnormal behaviors and adverse health conditions in juveniles and follow proper medical reporting procedures.
• Ability to effectively listen, understand, and communicate in English (verbally and in writing) at the appropriate level with juveniles, family members, staff, attorneys, investigators and court officers.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands and to be flexible, creative, proactive, and effective under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Must possess knowledge of group dynamics and the ability to establish trust and cooperation with juveniles while maintaining an appropriate level of professionalism, assertiveness, and leadership.
• Ability to work effectively under stressful conditions and emergency situations.
• Highly accountable, reliable, and prompt, with a strong work ethic.
• Demonstrates proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrates skills in database creation and maintenance.
• Bilingual communication skills preferred.

Physical Requirements
[ This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description.  These include, but are not limited to, the following requirements.]

• Ability to move desks, beds and other furniture to conduct security checks.
• Ability to step up on elevated surfaces, such as beds or stools, to conduct room searches.
• Reaching, bending, and stooping to perform security checks, housekeeping and other tasks.
• Extended periods of walking throughout the facility.
• Extended periods of standing.
• Ability to physically restrain residents under adverse conditions, including the ability to manage weights of 75lbs. to 200 lbs. when restraining adolescents.
• Ability to demonstrate proficiency in Physical Restraint Techniques.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations according to JTDC policies, procedures and protocols.
• Ability to effectively communicate (hear and respond) 10 codes through the intercom/radio transmission monitoring system.
• Lifting and carrying containers for meals, laundry bags and other items weighing up to 35 lbs.
• Must be able to be mandated or work overtime based on departmental needs.

Working Conditions

• Exposure to resident behavior problems that may include physical acting out and require safe physical management skills.
• Exposure to residents with complex mental health issues and/or disorders.
• Exposure to youth with various states of cleanliness and hygiene.
• Exposure to various health related conditions or residents of a communicable nature which requires precaution and adhering to medical instruction.

• Open availability to work any shift at a 24-hour facility (includes evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays and ability to work overtime as directed.

Hiring Requirements

• Illinois residency obtained within 90 days of date of hire.
• Pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check including but not limited to LEADS, CANTS, and professional references.
• A result of negative from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Child Abuse Registry.
• Meet additional minimum requirements for eligibility established by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC).
• Must pass Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) screening requirements. 

In response to Congress enacting the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA) , the Department of Justice (DOJ) developed national standards for federal, state and local correctional agencies. The Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center as it is a zero-tolerance policy prohibits all forms of sexual abuse, sexual harassment from staff members, interns, volunteers, and contractors and any form of resident sexual misconduct between residents. 

Benefits Package

• Information concerning the benefits for this position can be found at the Circuit Court of Cook County Employment Opportunities Page. 

This position has an Administrative Office of the Illinois Court (AOIC) requirement , if an offer of employment is extended to you, you will be required to show immediate proof of AOIC Certification. If you are AOIC certified please upload your letter, and if not please move forward with completing the Administrative Office of the Illinois Court certification application. Link is below.

Employment | Probation/Court Services (illinoiscourts.gov)

THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF JUDGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of the Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County to provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants for employment.  No person is to be discriminated against in employment because of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.

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