JTDC - Caseworker II

JOB TITLE: CASEWORKER II

DIVISON: RESIDENT DAILY LIFE

LOCATION: JUVENILE TEMPORARY DETENTION CENTER

11OO S HAMILTON

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60612

UNION: AFSCME 3696

GRADE: PS2

SALARY: $73,706

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 provides 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. Job Summary The Caseworker II serves as the designated advocate for each resident on an assigned Center. The Caseworker II is delegated the primary responsibility for coordinating all social services for residents, as well as maintaining complete and accurate Center records for the residents housed in the JTDC. Typical Duties Participates in the planning, implementing, supervision, and reporting on the programs, projects, and other services for residents and their families. Monitors and documents all therapeutic and recreational programs/activities for residents and their families. Assists daily with monitoring the personal conduct, care, and safety of residents on their assigned Pods while providing leadership. Assists in the intake process by assigning new residents to a Center and facilitating an orientation of the Center for the residents that includes providing a list of Pod rules. Reviews, maintains, and updates the DSI system at the beginning of each assigned shift. Responds to resident emergencies and provides crisis intervention as needed. Maintains continuous communication with the Center’s Team Leader, Assistant Team Leaders, Youth Development Specialists, and Recreation Workers. Prepares and maintains complete and accurate resident case files according to agency program specifications which will include but not limited to service plans, weekly progress notes, court reports, administrative intervention plans, and IDJJ discharge summaries. Provides individual counseling sessions to each resident housed on their assigned Pod typically during the day and after school hours. Conducts two group sessions with their assigned Pod weekly focusing on various topics associated with common residents in daily life. Facilitates phone communication between residents and their parents/guardians, probation officers, public defenders, and any other approved personnel through telephone contact and visitation. Arranges and monitors special visits for residents who earn the privilege. Identifies residents with special needs: mental, emotional, social, or physical and coordinates a service plan with the residents and appropriate individuals or agencies to address those needs. Serves as an advocate for the residents as it relates to their progress, placement options, family needs issues, disciplinary hearings, and court proceedings. Collaborates with assigned mental health team to come up with different programs and strategies of dealing with challenging residents on the Centers. Attends and participates in weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly resident staffing’s, Center team meetings, Administrative Intervention Meetings for residents, Monthly School (NBJS) meetings, and Court Hearings when assigned. Serve as multi-disciplinary team member with the Probation department by sharing any detention related information pertinent to resident’s cases. Provides direct and continual observation of residents. 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. At least two (2) years of experience in juvenile detention or related field. At least two (2) years’ full-time experience in counseling, screening, and/or case management of juveniles; experience in juvenile justice is strongly preferred. Eligibility for or current licensure in/by the State of Illinois as a Licensed Social Worker (LSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) 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 Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural diversity and of socioeconomic or psychological factors affecting youth behavior. Ability to effectively listen, understand, and communicate in English (verbally and in writing) at the appropriate level with juveniles, family members, staff, attorneys, and court officers. Ability to prioritize competing demands and to be flexible, creative, proactive, and effective under pressure in a fast-paced environment. Possess knowledge of group dynamics and the ability to establish trust and cooperation with juveniles 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 are 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.] The ability to move desks, beds and other furniture to conduct security checks. The 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. Ability to physically restrain residents, including the ability to manage weights of 75lbs. to 200 lbs. when restraining adolescents. 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 residents’ 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 residents with various states of cleanliness and hygiene. Exposure to communicable diseases of residents. Hiring Requirements Illinois residency obtained within 90 days of the date of hire. Pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check including but not limited to LEADS, CANTS, and professional references. The result of negative from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Child Abuse Registry. Must pass required and nationally recognized written examination(s) for direct care positions. Meet additional minimum requirements for eligibility established by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC). Open availability to work any shift at a 24-hour facility (includes evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays). The Caseworker is required to work weekends, holidays, and flexible hours as scheduled. Must pass Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) screening requirements. 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) 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. 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.