DOC Jail & Detention Standards Criminal Justice Specialist II

Position Overview

Marketing Statement: Under direction of the unit manager, the criminal justice specialist II performs complex technical functions related to reviewing, designing, and developing plans to monitor offenders incarcerated in accordance with state standards, Illinois Revised Statutes and Federal guidelines.  This position is responsible for ensuring minimum standards of incarceration are met, and aids local county jails and municipal lockups in improving operational and programmatic services through on-site inspections; data gathering, and preparation/interpretation of reports.  This position requires the ability to work within the corrections setting, observing jail living units, and facility services.  The ability to communicate with stakeholders including detainees, jail staff, and elected officials is necessary.  Extensive travel is required with occasional overnight travel.  The Illinois Department of Corrections strongly encourages correction’s professional interested in a challenging and fulfilling career in the criminal justice system to apply.

Essential Functions

• Travels to conduct on-site inspections of County Jail, Municipal lockups with the potential to hold individuals in custody in order to verify previously submitted population data.
• Develops and presents specialized professional and confidential information and advice to Dept. of Correction's Detention Standards management and other outside Agencies, Grant providers, etc.
• Investigates unusual or extraordinary offences, e.g., jail breaks, fires, disease outbreak, officer assault.
• Research, develop and revises data collection forms utilized to track individuals in custody.
• Makes formal presentations and assists in training and presenting educational program regarding inmate detention to local officials with specific reference and jail removal.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college with coursework in law, criminal justice, government, public administration, sociology, accounting or political science.
• Requires two (2) years of professional experience in planning, development, implementation or assessment of programs in criminal justice, government, public administration, sociology, accounting, political science or equivalent advanced academic work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prefers at least three (3) years’ experience conducting, inspections, audits, and/or compliance reviews of prisons, county jails, and/or municipal lockups.
• Prefers at least three (3) years’ experience working in the capacity of consultant to criminal justice entities, law enforcement agencies, and/or state and local correctional entities.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of experience conducting internal review and report writing of unusual or extraordinary incidents specific to a correctional facility.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of experience tracking and interpreting data specific to correctional facilities; including development of policies, procedures, and forms that ensure compliance with local, state and federal compliance requirements.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of experience presenting in a training environment specific to the corrections setting.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires a valid, appropriate driver’s license, and the ability to travel extensively with occasional overnight stays.
• Requires ability to pass the 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.
• Required to utilize digital technology, tools, platforms, and processes in managing and supporting various digital enhancements for greater efficiency, productivity, and digital transformation efforts within the department.
• Applicants are requried to abide by all vaccine and/or other medical standards as set out by the employer.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.