JUVENILE JUSTICE SPECIALIST INTERN (UMP)

State of Illinois•Grafton, IL

1d•$5,607•Onsite

About The Position

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 Juvenile Justice Specialist plays a critical role in the maintenance 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! 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.

Requirements

Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to the completion of four years of high school.
Requires two years of experience providing direct care to youth in the form of residential care, coaching, case management or mentoring.
Requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.

Nice To Haves

Prefers elementary knowledge of juvenile behavior problems, and the means to develop successful and appropriate behaviors.
Prefers elementary knowledge of adolescent psychological development, mental health issues affecting the juvenile offenders, and social development concerns.
Prefers ability to work with clients in an empathetic and understanding manner in order to engender cooperation in daily living activities and support the individual development process in accordance with a service delivery plan.
Prefers ability to successfully complete a comprehensive Department of Juvenile Justice training program.
Prefers ability to communicate effectively with troubled youth, their family members and significant others and other professional service delivery staff.
Prefers ability to follow oral and written instructions, and regulatory requirements.
Prefers ability to write reports, and maintain records, some of which require keyboarding skill.
Prefers ability to organize/coordinate and lead recreational and social activities.

Responsibilities

Under immediate supervision, and subsequently under direct supervision for a period of twelve months, participates in the supervision of the daily activities of youth including mealtimes, sleeping, recreation, and work.
Interacts with youth.
Receives training on searching, inspecting facility and work locations for contraband.
Provides input into the development of individualized service plans.
Operates vehicle to transport youth.
Administers non-prescription medication to youth at designated time and completes appropriate medication forms.
Attends workshops and in service training to attain, develop new and updated skill and proficiency to carry out specialized delivery programs to targeted youth involving group or individual services.
Performs other duties required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.