JTDC - PREA Compliance Officer

JOB TITLE: PREA COMPLIANCE OFFICER

DIVISON: OFFICE OF PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY
LOCATION: JUVENILE TEMPORARY DETENTION CENTER
11OO S HAMILTON
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60612
UNION STATUS: NON-UNION
GRADE: 18
SALARY: $70,242

Company Overview
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.

Job Summary
The PREA Compliance Officer works directly with the (PREA Coordinator-hereafter referred to as the PC) to ensure compliance with the PREA standards. Responsible for the administration and direction of functions related to the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) at the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC). The primary goal is to maintain a zero-tolerance environment for sexual abuse and harassment through prevention, detection, and response. This is a confide n t i a l position .

Typical Duties

• Assist with oversight and implementation of the PREA standards to ensure the quality and consistency of JTDC processes
• Working closely with the PC and JTDC Administration to analyze and provide recommendations pertaining to mandated internal PREA audits
• Support facilitating internal PREA audits.
• Assist with response to inquiries, audits, and investigations by internal, State, and Federal oversight bodies.
• Conduct training and resident education in compliance with JTDC/PREA policy and standards.
• Assisting with training of volunteers, medical staff, mental health staff and other JTDC Contractors
• Responsible for the completion of quality assurance checks of JTDC PREA related processes/procedures
• Responsible for Victimization and Sexual/Physical Aggression Screenings (VSPA).
• Performs quality assurance checks in accordance with JTDC PREA related processes/procedures.
• Facilitate PREA Incident Review meetings at the conclusion of investigations.
• Attends internal and external meetings as designated by PC and/or Director of OPR
• Maintains confidential documentation, data, and information related to PREA events.
• Establishes and maintains collaborative working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Consult with mental and medical professionals, as necessary, to ensure the physical and emotional safety of residents
• Assist PC with Developing, implementing, and facilitating PREA trainings for staff, residents, and contractors.
• Other duties as assigned

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

Minimum Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferably with major course work in criminal justice, sociology, social work, education(added), or related social services. With
  • Two or more years of employment in juvenile detention, at least one of the required years must be in juvenile detention/residential services.
• Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC) required.
• 21 years of age at the time of application submission.

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Other Characteristics

• High level of integrity; the ability to maintain strict confidentiality and handle sensitive information with extreme discretion.
• Strong public speaking skills for training and clear technical writing for administrative reports.
• Comprehensive understanding of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) of 2003 and National Standards (28 CFR Part 115).
• Exceptional written and verbal skills for delivering staff training and drafting technical compliance reports.
• Ability to build rapport with diverse groups, including detained juveniles, law enforcement, and victim advocates.
• Skill in coordinating facility-wide audits and managing timelines.
• Analyze complex situations and provide recommendations.
• Microsoft Office proficiency.

Physical Requirements
[This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description.  These include, but are not limited to, the following requirements.]

• Ability to sit at a desk for a large portion of the day.
• Extensive reaching, bending, and moving of objects up to 20 pounds to organize and place in files.
• May require periods of walking throughout the facility.
• May require periods of standing.
• Ability to effectively operate and utilize a computer.
• Must be able to work longer hours based on departmental needs.

Working Conditions

• Interaction with the public, employees and residents.
• Exposure to residents’ behavior problems that may include physical acting out and require safe physical management skills.
• 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 adhering to medical instruction.
• Exposure to communicable diseases of youth.
• Interaction with Law enforcement and other Juvenile Detention Facilities.

Hiring Requirements

• Illinois residency obtained within 90 days of the date of hire.
• Pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check including but not limited to LEADS, CANTS, and professional references.
• The result of negative from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Child Abuse Registry.
• Meet additional minimum requirements for eligibility established by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts (AOIC).
• Must pass Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) screening requirements.
• Must have an open/flexible schedule to work hours which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays, depending on the needs of the division/facility.

Benefits Package

• Information concerning the benefits for this position can be found at the Circuit Court of Cook County Employment Opportunities Page .

Please apply by filling out the application at our Career Page .

This position has an Administrative Office of the Illinois Court (AOIC) requirement, i f an offer of employment is extended to you, you will be required to show immediate proof of AOIC Certification. If you are AOIC certified please upload your letter, and if not p lease move forward with completing the Administrative Office of the Illinois Court certification application. Link is below.

THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF JUDGE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
It is the policy of the Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County to provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants for employment. No person is to be discriminated against in employment because of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.