JPD - Chief Juvenile Probation Officer
Position Overview
The Juvenile Probation and Court Services Department (Juvenile Probation) oversees an active caseload of approximately 2,000 youth, including approximately 1,000 on pretrial supervision, and a staff of approximately 330. The department administers a wide range of services and programs including probation supervision, pretrial and pre-sentence services, electronic monitoring, shelter care, and community-based programming.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities
Directs all aspects of Juvenile Probation operations, ensuring consistent, high-quality service delivery across all units.
Ensures department operates in full compliance with all applicable statutes, court orders, judicial directives, state regulations, Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) standards, and nationally recognized best practices in juvenile probation and court services.
Establishes and maintains effective systems for records management, data integrity, and reporting; provides accurate, timely reports on youth outcomes, caseload data, program participation, and other required metrics.
Manages contracts with vendors and service providers; monitors contract performance; ensures service delivery quality meets departmental standards and youth needs.
Led implementation of best practices and other applicable reform directives; develops implementation plans with clear milestones, accountability mechanisms, and progress metrics; reports regularly to the Director of Juvenile Services on reform status.
Embeds nationally recognized best practices into all aspects of probation practice, including risk-needs-responsivity (RNR) principles, validated assessment tools, motivational interviewing, trauma-informed supervision, and positive youth development frameworks.
Drives culture and practice change within Juvenile Probation to shift toward a youth- and family-centered model that prioritizes diversion, community-based alternatives to supervision, and the least restrictive interventions consistent with community safety.
Develops and implements data-driven strategies for the prevention of delinquency, reduction of recidivism, and promotion of youth success in school, family, and community.
Maintains active awareness of current trends, research, and emerging best practices in juvenile probation and justice reform nationally; translates relevant developments into departmental policy, supervision practice, and staff training; participates in peer learning networks and professional convenings.
Ensures services for youth and families are culturally responsive, developmentally appropriate, and individualized to the assessed needs and strengths of each young person; establishes mechanisms for youth and family voice in case planning and departmental programming.
Plans and develops service programs designed to protect the community, prevent delinquency, reduce recidivism, keep youth connected to school and family, and build competency and resilience in justice-involved youth.
Ensures robust reentry and aftercare planning for youth transitioning from detention or residential placement back to the community; collaborates with JTDC leadership, community providers, schools, and families to ensure continuity of support.
Develops and maintains strong diversion pathways and community-based alternatives to formal supervision, including partnerships with community organizations, restorative justice programs, and family support services.
Leads a large, complex workforce across multiple units and locations; establishes clear performance expectations; conducts or oversees formal evaluations; ensures timely corrective action when standards are not met.
Directs recruitment, selection, onboarding, and retention of qualified probation officers and support staff; builds a workforce that reflects the communities served and is committed to the department's reform mission.
Develops and implements a comprehensive staff training and professional development program that builds competency in evidence-based supervision practice, trauma-informed approaches, cultural responsiveness, motivational interviewing, and professional ethics; ensures training is ongoing and tied to performance expectations.
Promotes a workplace culture of professionalism, accountability, and genuine commitment to youth well-being and community safety; addresses staff misconduct promptly and consistently; models the values and behaviors expected of all staff.
Develops and implements data-driven goals, objectives, policies, procedures, and work standards for the department; reviews and updates policies regularly to reflect evolving law, standards, and reform commitments.
Maintains active awareness of current trends, research, and emerging best practices in juvenile probation and justice reform nationally; translates relevant developments into departmental policy, supervision practice, and staff training; participates in peer learning networks and professional convenings.
Monitors department performance against established benchmarks; identifies deficiencies; develops and implements corrective action plans; reports performance data and improvement progress to the Director of Juvenile Services.
Prepares and administers Juvenile Probation's annual budget; ensures expenditures are aligned with mission, strategic priorities, and fiscal accountability standards.
Identifies resource needs and gaps; develops proposals for addressing them; ensures effective utilization of available resources, including state and federal funding streams, to sustain and expand quality services.
Works collaboratively with the Superintendent of the JTDC and JTDC leadership to ensure coordinated, seamless services for youth across the detention-to-community continuum; participates in joint planning, shared programming, and cross-system initiatives.
Works collaboratively with, and promptly responds to concerns raised by, the Presiding Judges of the Juvenile Justice and Child Protection Divisions; escalates issues requiring Director-level attention.
Promotes acceptance of departmental goals and objectives through active collaboration with juvenile judges, JTDC leadership, and community-based partners; represents the department in relevant convenings and forums with dignity, integrity, and a spirit of cooperation.
Maintains strong working relationships with Illinois Redeploy, Illinois deferred prosecution programs, Chicago Public Schools, and other key system partners; leads joint planning efforts to expand community-based alternatives and reduce reliance on detention and formal court involvement.
Engages youth, families, and community stakeholders as partners in the department's reform and improvement efforts; establishes accessible mechanisms for raising concerns and providing input.
Identifies and in collaboration with the Director of Juvenile Services, acts upon proactive opportunities to enhance public transparency regarding JPD operations, programs, engagement of youth and families, and outcomes.
Minimum Qualifications
A master's degree in management, public administration, criminal justice, social services, or a related field, and at least five (5) years of experience in juvenile probation, court services, or a related field, at least three (3) of which are at a supervisory or administrative level, with at least two (2) of those years in juvenile probation or residential services.
OR
A bachelor's degree in criminal justice, social services, or a related field, and at least seven (7) years of experience in juvenile probation, court services, or a related field, with at least four (4) years at a supervisory or administrative level, including at least two (2) years in juvenile probation or residential services.
United States Citizenship.
Primary residence in the State of Illinois within 90 days of the date of appointment.
Pass a pre-employment medical exam, drug screen, and background check, and professional references.
A negative result from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services child abuse registry.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Demonstrated experience leading reform implementation in a juvenile probation, court services, or youth-serving system, including adoption of evidence-based supervision practices, risk-needs-responsivity frameworks, or diversion-first models.
Demonstrated experience with validated risk and needs assessment tools (e.g., YLS/CMI, ORAS-YV) and their integration into supervision practice and case planning.
Certification or demonstrated training in motivational interviewing, trauma-informed care, or restorative justice.
Experience implementing recommendations from external reviews, oversight bodies, or system reform processes.
Demonstrated familiarity with Cook County and/or Circuit Court administrative policies, budgeting processes, and labor relations frameworks.