Mobile Intake Youth & Family Specialist Supervisor (Sangamon County)

Position Overview:

The Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) is seeking a highly motivated and compassionate candidate to serve as the Youth and Family Specialist Supervisor for the assigned facility. The incumbent in this position will assign and review subordinate work, monitor intakes and youth case plans for compliance with agency mandated processes and procedures, and will direct Federal Funding Participation. Additional duties in this position include managing performance evaluations and improvements, managing and evaluating incidents, providing management direction throughout the assigned division, assigning caseloads, directing home/placements, visitations, establishing timelines/schedules, and collaboration with other department teams. The ideal candidate will possess previous supervisory experience, have a knowledge of the intake and admission process, experience contacting and reviewing progress reporting, approving submission of case load assignments including Interstate Compact cases and hold orders. DJJ encourages all interested and qualified individuals to apply!

Essential Functions:

• Under general direction, serves as working supervisor for assigned staff in the provision of case-managed treatment services.


• Guides subordinates in the delivery of case management and counseling services and the effective management of assigned youth.


• Reviews and responds to incident reporting requirements and incident management to protect victims and enforce agency procedures and practices.


• Authorizes and conducts custodial intervention and coordinates with agency staff and service providers.


• Reviews and approves submission of case load transfers and parole plans following agency guidelines.


• Directs responses to critical incidents, approves and directs custodial and public safety intervention, including requesting confinement, the issuance of warrants, responding to law enforcement requests and charging youth with violations.


• Attends continuing education, training, and staff development activities to enhance skills and expand knowledge which can be shared with others.


• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a master's degree in counseling or related social sciences. Requires three years of professional experience working with youth in juvenile services.
  OR


•  requires a master's degree from an accredited college or university. Requires four years of professional experience in counseling or casework.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance):

• Prefers extensive knowledge of counseling and guidance principles and techniques.


• Prefers extensive knowledge of theories of personality and deviant behavior, delinquency, and criminology.


• Prefers working knowledge of the principles of cognitive behavioral treatment.


• Prefers working knowledge of sociology of the family and of racial and cultural minorities, urban sociology and social problems.


• Prefers working knowledge of casework techniques and the writing of professional reports.


• Prefers ability to supervise a professional staff, assign and review work and monitor resources.


• Prefers ability to prepare comprehensive evaluations and to develop recommendations for rehabilitation and positive behavioral change programs, and for parole placement and supervision.


• Prefers ability to use a personal computer and office software in data tracking and the preparation of work reports and case management.


• Prefers ability to relate and integrate professional aspects of counseling and guidance with those of other disciplines.


• Prefers ability to apply a high degree of tact, patience, empathy and insight in the skillful counseling of residents, families, parents and relatives.

Conditions of Employment:

• Requires the ability to pass an IDOC/IDJJ background check.


• Requires ability to pass a drug screen. The use of unauthorized drugs by an employee, regardless of position held, is prohibited.


• Candidates must be over the age of 21.


• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime.


• Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.


• Requires the ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency:

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.

Benefits:

The Department of Juvenile Justice offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance


• Pension Plan


• Paid parental leave 


• Pre-tax benefits programs including but not limited to: Deferred Compensation, Medical, Daycare, etc.


• Employees earn twelve (12) paid Sick Days annually


• New Employees earn ten (10) paid Vacation Days in their first year of service and can earn up to twenty-five (25) paid Vacation Days annually (based on years of service)


• Employees earn three (3) paid Personal Days annually (pro-rated based on start date)


• Thirteen-Fourteen (13-14) paid holidays annually (based on start date)


• Flexible work schedules in many program areas (remote work may be an option for certain positions)