Administrative Hearing Officer

Cook County, IL•Chicago, IL

35d•Onsite

About The Position

The Cook County Sheriff's Office Individuals in Custody Disciplinary Unit works as an unbiased entity that administers a hearing process to determine whether individuals in the Sheriff's custody have violated articulated rules within the Department of Corrections. Said hearing process operates fairly and with integrity to ensure compliance with due process requirements, which are encompassed in internal policy and state administrative codes. The Administrative Hearing Officer is responsible for managing the day-to-day individuals in custody (IIC) disciplinary process including but not limited to conducting and adjudicating IIC disciplinary infractions, imposing necessary and appropriate sentences/sanctions, ensuring the completeness of the IIC Disciplinary Report/Findings of Fact and Decision form(s), and ensuring due process requirements are met for IICs in each proceeding. In addition, the Administrative Hearing Officer is responsible for conducting assessments and reviews of all Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC) operations and administration as directed by the Director of IIC Discipline and/or designee to ensure legal and constitutional compliance. The Administrative Hearing Officer will review policies and procedures relating to all CCDOC operations and administration and to recommend changes when applicable.

Requirements

A Juris Doctorate from an accredited institution.
Member of the Illinois Bar or admission to the Illinois Bar within one year of hiring date.
Ability to work within the Cook County Department of Corrections maximum-, medium- and minimum-security divisions.
Demonstrated ability to handle difficult and sensitive employee situations with refined judgement while maintaining confidentiality and adhering to data privacy laws and policies, AND/OR one (1) or more years of experience participating in administrative or similar type hearings.
Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite.
Intermediate proficiency in the use of office equipment, computers and data entry with the ability to apply these skills to his/her duties and responsibilities.
Ability to listen and communicate effectively and with tact and courtesy.
Excellent critical thinking, decision making and organizational skills.
Ability to identify and respond effectively to trends in data.
Ability to understand and apply due process principles and requirements to all aspects of the inmate disciplinary process.
Ability to satisfactorily prepare and complete various reports.
Ability to work well with others.
Ability to work in close proximity to individuals in custody in the CCDOC divisions.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in the field of corrections.
One or more years professional experience scheduling and conducting IIC disciplinary hearings in a correctional setting.
Two (2) or more years of experience participating in administrative or similar type hearings.
One (1) year of experience conducting audits of the disciplinary process at correctional facilities.
Strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions based on accurate and timely analyses.
Exceptional interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
Exceptional attention to detail and ability to produce high-quality work.

Responsibilities

Conduct daily individual in custody disciplinary hearings in the Department facilities.
Interpret agency policy, directives and regulations for hearing officers, managing officials, program managers, facility staff and inmates of the Department.
Draft Department and agency policy, directives and regulations for review and approval by the Director of IIC Discipline.
Regularly review and familiarize themselves with the IIC Disciplinary Procedure, the IIC Disciplinary Code, and any additional Cook County Sheriff's Office policy related to IIC Discipline.
Coordinate with the other Administrative Hearing Officers in the scheduling of all IIC disciplinary hearings, ensuring that disciplinary hearings are held within the required timelines and in a reasonably private and secure setting in the division/unit.
Ensure hearings are conducted fairly, considering the weight to be given to the evidence supporting the charge(s) while recognizing the inmate's rights and applicable due process requirements.
Review all reports associated with an inmate's discipline prior to and after the disciplinary hearing for accuracy, completeness and compliance with the relevant department policies and procedures and administrative codes.
Listen to testimony and accepts evidence that is relevant to the existence of the code violation, issuing a determination of whether a code violation exists.
Document accurate summaries of all statements made by the IIC/any witnesses during the hearing.
Determine innocence or guilt of the IIC and whether restitution should be sought from the IIC based on statements, reports and other evidence provided.
Recommend the necessary and appropriate disciplinary measures for IICs guilty of breaking CCDOC rules and regulations.
Work with CCDOC to track all disciplinary and other findings resulting from the hearings.
Analyze the disciplinary measures imposed after a finding of guilt to ensure consistency throughout the Inmate Disciplinary Hearing Unit and proper administration of the sentences.
Make recommendations for operational, administration and process improvements based on regular inspections of CCDOC operations and interactions with staff and IICs.
Conduct reviews of CCDOC processes and procedures as directed.
Appropriately reports observed and alleged staff misconduct.

Benefits

Health Insurance Program - Health insurance coverage includes medical, dental and vision care and is available for an employee and his/her eligible dependents.
Holidays - Thirteen (13) Holidays are granted in each Fiscal Year
Sick Leave - Granted sick leave is earned and accrued at the rate of one (1) day for each month of service and may be accumulated up to one hundred and seventy-five (175) working days.
Vacation Leave - Granted Vacation leave is earned and accrued, with employees having the opportunity to accrue fifteen (15) days within the Fiscal Year; Vacation leave accruals increase based on an employee's anniversary date of employment.
Life Insurance - Basic term life insurance, equal to one (1) time the employee's annual salary, is offered to every employee at no cost and the employee may elect to purchase supplemental coverage.
Pension Plan - Employees contribute into the Cook County Pension Fund and earn a prescribed percentage for each year of service; employees may be eligible for an annual annuity after ten (10) years of service and upon reaching a certain age based on when the employee started employment.
Deferred Compensation Program - Employees may elect to enroll in a deferred compensation plan, a tax deferred plan which may be used as a supplemental retirement option.

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