Mobile Intake Youth & Family Specialist I (UMP)(St Clair County)

Job Requisition ID: 57427
Opening Date: 08/18/2026
Closing Date: 09/01/2026
Agency: Department of Juvenile Justice
Class Title: JUV JUSTICE YTH & FAM SPEC OPT 1 (21991)
Skill Option: UMP Credential
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $6,404 a month; Full Range $6,404 - $9,187 a month
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: St. Clair
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCME
Merit Comp Code:

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.

Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.

Requisition Number 57427

Mobile Intake Juvenile Justice Youth & Family Specialist I

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

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 Mobile Intake Juvenile Justice Youth and Family Specialist plays a critical role in the intake, orientation, 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:

• Travels to detention centers or other agencies in assigned region to complete the intake process as part of the Mobile Intake team.
• Reviews case materials and initiates required agency forms in the process of preparing a summation of community reports, counseling and program recommendations, and ability assessment evaluation of new committed youths for staffing by the Assignment Coordinator, institutional counselors, and Community Services Division Staff.
• Engages youth and families through techniques such as motivational interviewing to gather information for the purpose of classification, reclassification and recommends assignment based on screening and assessment.
• Reviews case materials and initiates appropriate forms to provide information for Youth 360 (Y360) input and review by supervisor.
• Recommends institutional and community placement of youths in conjunction with the rest of the Mobile Intake team to the Assignment Coordinator.
• Initiates correspondence to staff within Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) facilities and Community Services Division, the Circuit Courts, Mental Health and Children and Family Services.
• Participates in continuing education programs, training, and staff development to build skills and acquire knowledge of programs and services.
• 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 in counseling or a closely related social science degree. Requires two years of professional experience working with youth in juvenile services.
OR
Requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Requires three years of professional experience in counseling or casework.

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

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance):

• Prefers extensive knowledge of counseling and guidance principles and techniques.
• Prefers working knowledge of theories of personality and deviant behavior, delinquency, and criminology.
• Prefers working knowledge of the principles of cognitive behavioral treatment.
• Prefers working knowledge of sociology of the family and of racial and cultural minorities, urban sociology and social problems.
• Prefers working knowledge of casework techniques and the writing of professional reports.
• Prefers ability to prepare comprehensive evaluations and to develop recommendations for rehabilitation and positive behavioral change programs, and for parole placement and supervision.
• Prefers ability to use a personal computer and office software in data tracking and the preparation of work reports and case management.
• Prefers ability to apply a high degree of tact, patience, empathy and insight in the skillful counseling of residents, families, parents and relatives.
• Prefers ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Prefers ability to administer objective psychometric tests.

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.
• All candidates must be over the age of 21.
• Requires travel to detention centers and other agencies in assigned region.
• Requires the successful completion of an initial pre-service training curriculum.

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.

* Please note that the work schedule, including the assigned shift and days off, is subject to change based on operational needs and the exercise of contractual seniority, shift-preference, and bumping rights under the applicable collective bargaining agreement.*

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)

Work Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm with S/S off
Headquarter Location: 1220 Centreville Ave, Belleville, Illinois, 62220
Work County: St. Clair
Agency Contact: IDJJ Human Resources Department
Email: View email address on aiapply.co

Posting Group: Public Safety; Health Services; Social Services

This title is within the Upward Mobility Program (UMP) . General Program information can be found by clicking on the Upward Mobility Program link or for specific title information at UMP Titles. To utilize upward mobility contractual rights for this position, employees must apply internally and must upload a copy of the UMP grade notice to their application documents prior to submission . UMP grades can be uploaded to the Additional Documents OR Grade Documentation section of the application.

This position DOES NOT contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.

If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so.

State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.

Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.

If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:

State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid

Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

• View email address on aiapply.co
• View email address on aiapply.co