JTDC - Professional Development Specialist

JOB TITLE: PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST
DIVISON: PROGRAMS AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES
LOCATION: JUVENILE TEMPORARY DETENTION CENTER
11OO S HAMILTON
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60612
UNION: AFSCME 3696
GRADE: 18
SALARY: $79,895

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 provides 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 Professional Development Specialist is responsible for providing training to all staff, developing curricula, conducting new-hire orientation, and assisting the Director of Training with other tasks as needed.

Typical Duties

• Maintains specialized certifications and provides ongoing training to staff in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Primary Restraint Technique (PRT), First Aid, De-escalation, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
• Researches and serves as a subject matter expert on relevant topics including facility operation rules and personnel, new laws (e.g. PREA), industry knowledge, and current training materials, techniques, and strategies.
• Conducts and analyzes training needs assessments with the Centers and develops/updates annual training calendar, lesson plans, and curriculum based on results.
• Acts as a liaison between the training department and the designated individual from each Center to ensure all staff are current on trainings and certifications and that the training department can respond to the ongoing training needs of the Center(s).
• Assists the Training Coordinator in maintaining the training room, equipment and scheduling training when necessary.
• Prepares and conducts training programs for JTDC personnel or other individuals/groups as assigned.
• Facilitates orientation for new staff and volunteers.
• Performs other job 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 in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology, Social Work, Education, Professional Development, Organizational Development or related social services field. Master’s degree strongly preferred.
• Training for Trainer certification from a recognized juvenile justice training provider (e.g. JJTA, NPJS, NIC, ACA) or similar training in adult learning theory required within 1 year from date of hire.
• Minimum of 2-4 years previous training experience as either a fulltime or adjunct trainer or educator within a juvenile justice, correctional, probation, residential care, or confinement facility dealing specifically with at-risk youth.
• Possess advanced computer and multimedia skills (e.g. multimedia videos, PowerPoint).
• Must have knowledge in adult learning theories and curriculum development.
• Must have experience training in one or more of the following topics: juvenile confinement issues, conditions of confinement, safety and security, adolescent development, cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), social skills (e.g. conflict resolution, anger management), behavior management, behavior observation and recording, documentation, and report writing.

• United States citizenship.
• 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

• Ability to use multiple instructional strategies to teach to various learning styles.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all levels of JTDC staff and to ask questions or seek direction from supervisory staff when needed.
• Must possess excellent presentation skills.
• Knowledgeable in researching pertinent information on current events and issues in juvenile justice to apply to lessons.
• Ability to effectively understand and communicate in English (verbally and in writing).

• Highly organized, thorough, and prompt with a strong work ethic and the ability to complete tasks independently and in a timely manner.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Bilingual communication skills preferred.

Hiring Requirements

• Illinois residency obtained within 90 days of date of hire.
• Pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check including but not limited to LEADS, CANTS, and professional references.
• A result of negative from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Child Abuse Registry.
• Must pass required and nationally recognized written examination(s) for direct care and supervisory positions.
• 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.

In response to Congress enacting the Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 (PREA) , the Department of Justice (DOJ) developed national standards for federal, state and local correctional agencies. The Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center as it is a zero-tolerance policy prohibits all forms of sexual abuse, sexual harassment from staff members, interns, volunteers, and contractors and any form of resident sexual misconduct between residents.

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.