JUVENILE JUSTICE CHIEF OF SECURITY

State of Illinois; St. Charles (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 147,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Life, Vision, and Dental

Pension Plan

Paid parental leave

Vacation & holidays

Job summary

The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice seeks a dynamic Juvenile Justice Chief of Security to oversee security and custodial operations at the assigned facility. The role requires strong leadership, attention to detail, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to safeguard youth and staff.

Key responsibilities include directing security forces, ensuring adherence to rules, and maintaining incident reports and training for staff.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor's degree and three years' professional staff experience involving the care of youth in a State of Illinois Juvenile Justice facility.

Responsibilities

• Directs the security force and custodial program for the facility on an assigned shift.
• Serves as full line supervisor.
• Serves a Duty Administrative Officer.
• Reviews late arrival staff, absences, and roll call sign-in sheets.
• Attends in-service staff, management, and other meetings to ensure the security staff is informed of policies, procedures and directives.

Skills

Juvenile behavior knowledge

Rules & regulations knowledge

Adolescent psychology knowledge

First aid & emergency response

Report writing

Education

Bachelor's degree

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 Title: JUVENILE JUSTICE CHIEF OF SECURITY

Job Requisition ID:59348
Opening Date:10/26/2026
Closing Date:11/10/2026
Agency: Department of Juvenile Justice
Class Title:JUV JUSTICE CHIEF OF SECURITY (21965)
Skill Option:None
Bilingual Option:None
Salary: Anticipated starting salary is $8,946/month (Step 1); CBA Applies; Full Range $8,946-$13,214
Job Type: Salaried
Category:Full Time
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code:VR704 Departments of Corrections, Financial and Professional Regulation, Juvenile Justice and State Police Supervisors Laborers' International Union of North America - ISEA, Local 2002; Southern and Central Illinois Laborers' District Council
Merit Comp Code:
Work Hours: 8-4 M-F with S/S off
Anticipated Hybrid Work Schedule Availability: Not available, fully in office
Headquarter Location: 3825 Campton Hills Dr, St. Charles, Illinois, 60175
Work County: Kane
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.

All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.

Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger - something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule - flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Position Overview:

The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice is looking for a candidate to serve as Juvenile Justice Chief of Security to work at their assigned facility. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, task oriented, shows great attention to detail, is a team player and has strong interpersonal skills. Position is responsible for administrative direction. Duties include directing security force and custodial programs; implements and maintains programs conducive to security and rehabilitive needs of the youth; assures security staff comply with policy and procedures, including Departmental Rules, Administrative Rules, and Institutional Directives.

Essential Functions:

• Under administrative direction, directs the security force and custodial program for the facility on an assigned shift.
• Serves as full line supervisor.
• Serves a Duty Administrative Officer.
• Reviews late arrival staff, absences, and roll call sign -in sheets.
• Attends in-service staff, management, and other meetings to ensure the security staff is informed of policies procedures and directives.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and requires successful completion of three years' professional staff experience involving the care of youth in a State of Illinois Juvenile Justice facility, and providing for the safety, security and well being of youth and staff.

Preferred Qualifications: (In Order of Significance):

• Prefers thorough knowledge of juvenile behavior problems, and the treatment and interventions required to develop successful and appropriate behaviors.
• Prefers thorough knowledge of rules and regulations, post assignments, and specific procedures for carrying out work assignments.
• Prefers extensive knowledge of adolescent psychological development, mental health issues affecting the juvenile offenders, and social development concerns.
• Prefers extensive knowledge of basic first aid and emergency response protocols in order to deal with emergency situations.
• Prefers ability to prepare reports of unusual happenings, accidents or violations of rules by employees and youth.Prefers ability to remain current on all institution rules and regulations.

Conditions of Employment:

• Requires the ability to pass an Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC)/Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) background check.
• Requires ability to pass a drug screen. The use of unauthorized drugs by an employee, regardless of position held, is prohibited.
• All candidates must be over the age of 21.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate. Requires appropriate, valid driver’s license.
• Requires physical agility and strength to stand and walk for up to three (3) hours at a time, to run for short distances, and to provide physical intervention and control as necessary to protect individuals.
• Overtime is a condition of employment, and you may be requested or required/mandated to work overtime including scheduled, unscheduled, or last-minute overtime. This requires the ability to work evenings and weekends. This also requires the ability to work in a 24 hour ‘on call’ capacity.
• This position is considered medium work as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (20 CFR 404.1567(c)). Medium work involves lifting no more than 50 pounds at a time with frequent lifting or carrying of objects weighing up to 25 pounds.
• 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).