JTDC - Security Specialist I

Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois•Chicago, IL

3d•Onsite

About The Position

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 is dedicated to providing 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. The Security Specialist I (SSI) controls all access into the facility. SSI provides security throughout the JTDC and for all points of egress; monitors resident, visitor, and employee activity live and via closed circuit cameras. Performs all duties associated with the control center, and various security post throughout the facility. Monitoring and documenting incidents in Resident Management System. Distinguishing characteristics of this position include isolated and incidental contact with residents.

Requirements

High School Graduate or G.E.D. required; Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, or any human service related field preferred.
2 years experience in a security guard capacity; institutional, correctional, or governmental experience strongly preferred.
Highly accountable, reliable, prompt, able to assess a situation and call for additional assistance when necessary, and effective under adverse conditions and in emergency situations.
United States citizenship.
21 years of age at the time of application submission.
Illinois residency obtained within 90 days of date of hire.
Pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check including but not limited to LEADS, CANTS, and professional references.
A result of negative from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Child Abuse Registry.
Must pass required and nationally recognized examination(s) for security positions.
Must have open availability to work any shift at a 24-hour facility, including evenings, nights, weekends, holidays and the ability to work overtime as directed.
Must pass Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) screening requirements.
Ability to distinguish basic colors/shades of colors; other visual requirements as specified by area equipment.
Ability to distinguish regular/high pitched sounds, and disseminate source of sound.
Highly accountable, flexible, and effective under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
Ability to build internal and external relationships and effectively understand and communicate in English (verbally and in writing).
Open availability for a rotating schedule covering days, evenings, and weekends (shifts subject to change).
Basic computer knowledge, demonstrating proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, or any human service related field preferred.
institutional, correctional, or governmental experience strongly preferred.
Bilingual communication skills preferred.

Responsibilities

Monitors, screens and document incoming and outgoing individuals and residents for contraband via line scan, wand, body scan and pat down searches.
Monitors, screens and document incoming and outgoing vehicles.
Monitors and conducts security checks of all assigned areas through the facility for safety and security.
Receives, routes, and logs all incoming and outgoing calls.
Monitors all radio communication and logs radio calls.
Operates and logs all pubic address announcements.
Monitor security cameras and elevator access.
Operates the interlock doors only allowing access to approved individuals.
Provides routine checks of all communication systems.
Dispatch staff and External emergency agencies.
Document and distribute radios, keys, cameras, mechanical restraints and other equipment in accordance to safety tools policies.
Conduct and document inventories of equipment, property, etc.
Documents incidents per policy.
Communicates with ASC Movement and Security Specialist II’s to expedite resident movement.
Logs and searches all individuals and residents according to visiting protocol.
Conducts searchers or youth and adults.
Monitors and secure gun boxes in locations.
Logs all activity.
Escorts external entities throughout the facility as needed.
Photographs residents for identification bands.
Monitor and escort residents as needed.
Conducts and reconciles resident head count.
Performs other duties as assigned.