JTDC - Youth Detention Specialist

About the role

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.

Responsibilities

• Closely provides direct and continuous supervision of JTDC residents in accordance with policy and procedure that promote a safe, secure, and humane environment for residents and staff.
• Makes sure all resident activity is monitored to ensure adequate security measures are maintained through conducting security checks, safety checks, resident counts, searches, and room checks at appropriate intervals.
• Schedules and oversees structured and leisure activities for residents around the clock, including preparing residents for various group and individual activities such as religious services, classes, recreational programs, and court hearings.
• Serves as a point of contact for meal distribution and assists in the preparation and distribution of food and utensils.
• Supervises and instructs residents on daily activities like bathing/showering, personal hygiene, etc., to maintain physical cleanliness and hygienic conditions.
• Assists in the laundry process for residents' clothing.
• Participates in the resident admission and orientation processes, including explaining rules and regulations, room assignments, and documenting shift logs.
• Administers behavior management programs such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy, Pro Social behavior, and social skills.
• Maintains awareness of residents' behavior and reports any changes indicating potential crises to supervisors.
• Intervenes in crises as per policy and procedure guidelines, including physical and mechanical restraints, room confinements, or other appropriate actions.
• Submits information to supervisors as required by JTDC policy and procedure.
• Escorts residents within the facility and externally as directed, such as accompanying youth during hospital visits, funerals, and appointments at various social service agencies.
• Reports any unusual behaviors or health issues to supervisors and relevant authorities.
• Organizes and directs group recreational activities and documents resident behaviors and actions daily.
• Maintains cleanliness of assigned PODS and common areas and ensures compliance with federal, state, local, and JTDC policies and procedures.
• Maintains and accounts for all JTDC issued equipment, including radios, keys, and Guardian electronic devices.
• Communicates verbally and in writing in a coherent and effective manner through reports, memos, and other documents, both internally and with external agency contacts.
• Serves as an active participant in the resident’s educational program.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university preferably with major course work in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, or related social services.
• At least one year of previous experience with at-risk youth in a residential or community-based juvenile justice environment preferred.
• At least one year of proven experience in a secured facility is strongly preferred.
• United States citizenship.
• Age 21 at the time of application submission.

Qualifications

• Previous experience in social services or juvenile direct care.
• Experience working with delinquent or emotionally troubled youths and/or families, which may have been in an intern or volunteer capacity.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to cultural diversity and socioeconomic or psychological factors affecting youth behavior.
• Ability to recognize abnormal behaviors and adverse health conditions in juveniles and follow proper medical reporting procedures.
• Ability to effectively listen, understand, and communicate in English (verbally and in writing) at the appropriate level with juveniles, family members, staff, attorneys, investigators, and court officers.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands and work effectively under stress in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Skills in database creation and maintenance.
• Bilingual communication skills preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to move desks, beds, and other furniture to conduct security checks.
• Ability to step up on elevated surfaces, such as beds or stools, to conduct room searches.
• Extended periods of walking throughout the facility.
• Extended periods of standing.
• Ability to physically restrain residents under adverse conditions, including the ability to manage weights of 75lbs. to 200 lbs. when restraining adolescents.
• Ability to demonstrate proficiency in Physical Restraint Techniques.
• Ability to respond to emergency situations according to JTDC policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Ability to effectively communicate (hear and respond) 10 codes through the intercom/radio transmission monitoring system.
• Lifting and carrying containers for meals, laundry bags, and other items weighing up to 35 lbs.
• Must be able to be mandated or work overtime based on departmental needs.

Working Conditions

• Exposure to resident behavior problems that may include physical acting out and require safe physical management skills.
• Exposure to residents with complex mental health issues and/or disorders.
• Exposure to youth with various states of cleanliness and hygiene.
• Exposure to various health-related conditions or residents of a communicable nature which requires precaution and adherence to medical instructions.
• Open availability to work any shift at a 24-hour facility (includes evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays).
• Ability to work overtime as directed.