JTDC - Recreational Specialist

JOB TITLE:            RECREATION SPECIALIST
DIVISON:               ADMISSIONS SECURITY AND CONTROL
LOCATION:           JUVENILE TEMPORARY DETENTION CENTER
11OO S HAMILTON
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS  60612
UNION:                   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 Recreation Specialist is responsible for providing residents with creative and diverse structured programs. The Recreation Specialist will be a part of a residential unit comprised of a minimum of 56 residents and subordinates.

Typical Duties

• Develops and facilitates diverse structured activities and programs (recreational, educational, etc.)
• Instructs and supervises residents in recreational activities (e.g. exercises, calisthenics, art, music, drama, sporting activities) and instructs on appropriate rules and regulations of games, acting as a referee, umpire, or coach when necessary.
• Designs, sets up and implements recreational or related educational programs that adhere to different ages and various skill levels
• Administers behavior management programs such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Pro Social behavior and social skills.
• Provides for the safety and general health of residents by maintaining the recreational areas, equipment, and supplies.
• Keeps facilities clean and reports damaged or broken equipment  to Center Management and/or Supervisor in Charge
• Submits requests to purchase new equipment, as needed, to Center Management
• Maintains accurate inventory, ensuring equipment is in good/safe condition and clean
• Maintains a safe and secure environment for both residents and staff by upholding and implementing JTDC policies, procedures, protocols and BMOD (may include physically restraining juveniles and conducting searches of juveniles and personal effects).
• Observes and reports behavior and progress of residents during programs
• Reports all observances of ill mental or physical health to the medical department for proper attention.
• Supervises and escorts youth in transit throughout the facility; escorts family members and other visitors on visitor’s days and during special programming.
• Oversees the distribution of commissary
• Assists outside organizations or individuals with programs or activities conducted at the JTDC.
• Assists juveniles during programs by tutoring and/or using educational games.
• Effectively communicates verbally, in writing or electronically (email, incident reports, rule violations, etc.).
• Works in a team environment to ensure programs run smoothly and all goals are met
• Successfully completes required training
• Must be able to work overtime-based on departmental needs.
• 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
• A degree in Physical Education, Recreation, or related field from an accredited college OR at least two (2) years full-time experience developing,  creating, scheduling and supervising organized recreational activities for adolescents.
• 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

• Knowledge of rules, regulations, and characteristics of various group sports, games, and activities required.
• Ability to recognize abnormal behaviors and adverse health conditions in juveniles and follow proper medical reporting procedures.
• Ability to give and follow instructions and demonstrate leadership, authority, fairness, cooperation, and organizational skills in interactive group situations.
• Ability to successfully learn and apply CPR and other first-aid techniques as required.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural diversity.
• Highly accountable, reliable, and prompt, with a strong work ethic.
• Flexible, creative, proactive, and effective under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to effectively understand and communicate in English (verbally and in writing) with both juveniles and staff members.
• Demonstrates proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• 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, and housekeeping.
• Reaching, bending and stooping to set up and take down equipment and perform 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, coolers and other items weighing up to 45 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.    
• Exposure to communicable diseases of youth.
• Inside controlled environment and outside exposure with heat and cold.
• Open availability including weekends and holidays.

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.