PREA Assessment Specialist

Cook County • Chicago, IL

4h • Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for administering a Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) intake screening and a PREA follow-up screening with individuals in custody to determine the risk of victimization and/or the risk of abusiveness. If an individual in custody (IIC) has the requisite score in the assessment, further follow-up is required as it relates to housing of the individuals in custody. The PREA Assessment Specialist assists the PREA Compliance Officer and the PREA Coordinator in completing the required PREA assessment upon intake within 72 hours of their arrival and again within 30 days of the IIC being detained.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Criminal Justice, Public Policy, Social Work, or related field.
• One (1) year of professional work experience in a social service agency, criminal justice system, or local or state government.
• Ability to work within the Cook County Department of Corrections, including the ability to work directly with the IIC population.
• Ability to walk long distances or stand for extended periods of time throughout the course of the assigned shift.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Easily develops rapport with individuals in custody.
• Working knowledge of trauma victims and their behavior.
• Skill in recognizing mental illness and developmental disabilities.
• Knowledge of the LGBTQI population.
• Ability to quickly assess vulnerability and aggressiveness.
• Knowledge of basic methods of social work, insight into individual and group behavior, and familiarity with state criminal codes and procedures.
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Three (3) years of professional work experience in a social service agency, criminal justice system, or local or state government.
• Knowledge of the Prison Rape Elimination Act Standards.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook
• Experience in effectively interviewing subjects regarding information or incidents of a sensitive nature.
• Possession of bilingual language skills (English/Spanish).
• Previous internship at the Cook County Sheriff’s Office.

Responsibilities

• Administer the PREA intake and follow-up screening with individuals in custody.
• Assess the need for special housing based on their requisite score and advises the PREA Compliance Officer and/or the PREA Coordinator.
• Complete a criminal history check in CLEAR to identify the IIC’s pending criminal charges and/or past convictions.
• Complete a check of internal system (Cook County Offender Management System - CCOMS) to determine if the individual in custody has any incidents or discipline.

Benefits

• Health insurance coverage includes medical, dental and vision care and is available for an employee and his/her eligible dependents.
• Thirteen (13) Holidays are granted in each Fiscal Year. Employees who are active at the beginning of the fiscal year (December 1st) also qualify for a floating holiday.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Employees may elect to enroll in a deferred compensation plan, a tax deferred plan which may be used as a supplemental retirement option.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Number of Employees: 1-10 employees