EDUCATOR OPT B (Science)

Illinois Comptroller; Harrisburg, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 67,000 - 119,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Pension Plan

Paid parental leave

Paid holidays

Job summary

The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) is seeking a Science Educator who provides engaging, standards-aligned instruction in a secure educational setting. This role emphasizes trauma-informed care and restorative practices to support youth learning and growth in a structured environment.

Qualified candidates hold an ISBE Professional Educator License (PEL) in Biology (9-12) and have strong skills in curriculum development, assessment design, and classroom management.

Qualifications

• Current ISBE Professional Educator License (PEL) for Grades 9-12 Biology.
• Experience with trauma-informed instructional practices is preferred.
• Ability to develop standards-aligned curricula and assessments.

Responsibilities

• Administers classroom and individual instruction to participating youth.
• Develops curricula for assigned teaching subjects within Core Curriculum policy.
• Designs examinations to measure student progress and achievement.
• Maintains detailed attendance and progress records.
• Leads classroom activities and participates in staff development.

Skills

Classroom instruction

Curriculum development

Assessment design

Trauma-informed care

Education

PEL Biology 9-12

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

MS Outlook

Job description

We continually strive for a workforce that reflects the growing diversity within the State of Illinois. A variety of employee backgrounds, perspectives, ideas and experiences are crucial to our ability to most effectively serve the public. Bilingual skills welcome

Reasonable Accommodation Statement

The State of Illinois is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Further, federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job, interview for a job, or for any other activity related to the hiring process. Examples of reasonable accommodation include, but are not limited to, making a change to the application process (if possible), providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment.

To be provided a Reasonable Accommodation during the hiring process, you will need to provide a certification of disability from a physician, psychiatrist, school official or an Illinois Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) Counselor. Supporting documentation should be uploaded under My Documents → Additional Documents section for each application.

Any questions on Reasonable Accommodations can be directed to Central Management Services Disability Resource Center at [e-mail] or call [phone] for further information and to request or discuss an accommodation.

Sponsorship for Employment

The State of Illinois does not provide sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B visa status), nor is the State able to provide extensions of optional practical training (OPT) under the STEM-designated degree program for F-1 students. To be considered for permanent employment with the State of Illinois, applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Disclosure of Salary Information

In compliance with the Illinois Equal Pay Act, 820 ILCS 112/1 et seq., the State does not seek, request, or require a job applicant’s wage or salary history. Employment decisions are not made based on an applicant’s wage or salary history. To that end, please do not include wage or salary information in your resume or other profile or application materials.

Job Requisition ID:58613
Opening Date: 09/24/2026
Closing Date: 10/09/2026
Agency: Department of Juvenile Justice
Class Title:EDUCATOR - 13100
Skill Option:High School
Bilingual Option:None
Salary: Anticipated Starting Salary $6,044/mo; Full Salary Range - $6,044-$10,645/mo
Job Type: Salaried
Category:Full Time
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code:RC063 Professional Employees, Educators,Juvenile Justice School Counselors and Special Education Resources Coordinators, and Physicians AFSCME
Merit Comp Code:
Work Hours: Monday - Friday (8:00AM - 4:00PM)
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: Not available, fully in office
Headquarter Location: 1201 W Poplar St, Harrisburg, Illinois, 62946
Work County: Saline
Agency Contact: [e-mail]

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) is seeking a Science Educator who provides engaging, standards-aligned instruction that builds scientific knowledge, critical thinking, problem-solving, and positive curiosity within a secure, structured educational setting. Working in a security minded environment, the educator incorporates trauma-informed care and restorative practices to create an inclusive and supportive classroom where youth can learn and grow. Through hands‑on learning and real‑world applications, students develop skills that extend beyond the classroom ,including decision making, collaboration, environmental awareness, health literacy, and understanding technology. These transferable skills help prepare youth to successfully reenter their communities, pursue continued education or employment, make informed choices, and confidently navigate everyday challenges. IDJJ encourage all qualified and interested individuals to apply!

Essential Functions

• Under general supervision, administers classroom and individual instruction to participating youth in the assigned subject area.
• Within the purview of the Core Curriculum policy, develops curricula for each assigned teaching subject.
• Develops examination tools designed to measure each students' strengths, weaknesses, and progress.
• Prepares and keeps detailed records and reports on attendance, achievement, and individual progress and needs of the students.
• Directs students in recreational, social, or other extracurricular activities.
• Attends and participates in discussions and planning at regular teachers' meetings, including counselor-teacher meetings, team meetings, and staff development.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.
• Requires possession of a current and valid Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) Professional Educator License (PEL) with Secondary Education, Grades 9-12, in Biology.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

• Prefers at least two (2) years of experience implementing behavior modification principles.
• Prefers at least two (2) years of experience implementing educational support to students with extreme and profound emotional impairments.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of experience evaluating students by utilizing provided tools and/or programs to assist in behavioral objective creation.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of experience evaluating students’ individual educational needs.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of experience guiding and directing staff regarding the necessary training and educational development of a student.
• Prefers at least two (2) years of experience with Microsoft Word and/or equivalent computer software.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of experience with Microsoft Excel and/or equivalent computer software.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of experience with Microsoft Outlook and/or equivalent computer software.
• Prefers the ability to demonstrate patience and tolerance with a wide range of behavior.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires the ability to pass an Illinois Department of Corrections/Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice background check.
• Requires ability to pass a drug screen. The use of unauthorized drugs by an employee, regardless of position held, is prohibited.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Requires ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry related topics relevant to the job duties.
• The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties as listed in the job description.

About the Agency

The mission of the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) is to build youth skills and strengthen families by promoting community safety and positive youth outcomes. Over 900 staff members from across various departments - security, programming, education, mental health, and more - collaborate with the understanding that youth are physically, emotionally, and cognitively different from adults. The department provides extensive services to young people through a developmental, treatment-focused model of care that builds youth resiliency, engages families, and promotes community safety at the five youth facilities it operates across the state. IDJJ serves and houses approximately 150 youth and is responsible for approximately 500 youth on Aftercare in various Illinois’ communities.

The Department of Juvenile Justice offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Health, Life, Vision, and Dental Insurance
• Pension Plan
• Paid parental leave
• Pre-tax benefits programs including but not limited to: Deferred Compensation, Medical, Daycare, etc.
• Employees earn twelve (12) paid Sick Days annually
• New Employees earn ten (10) paid Vacation Days in their first year of service and can earn up to twenty-five (25) paid Vacation Days annually (based on years of service)
• Employees earn three (3) paid Personal Days annually (pro-rated based on start date)
• Thirteen-Fourteen (13-14) paid holidays annually (based on start date)
• Flexible work schedules in many program areas (remote work may be an option for certain positions)

This position DOES NOT contain "Specialized Skills" (as that term is used in CBAs).