JUVENILE JUSTICE SPECIALIST INTERN (UMP)

Illinoiscomptroller; Illinois; On-site; USD 56,942 - 68,205; Full time

Job summary

Illinoiscomptroller is seeking a compassionate Juvenile Justice Specialist Intern to assist with the rehabilitation of youth. Ideal candidates should possess patience and strong communication skills for effective interaction with residents and families. Responsibilities include supervising daily activities, developing service plans, and administering medication.

This role requires a degree or relevant experience and offers a full-time salaried position. Join us in making a positive impact on youth in the State of Illinois.

Qualifications

• Completion of four years of high school and two years of related experience.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Ability to communicate effectively with youth and their families.

Responsibilities

• Assist in supervising daily activities of youth.
• Provide input into individual service plans.
• Interact with youth and oversee recreational activities.

Skills

Communication skills

Empathy

Patience

Education

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university

Completion of four years of high school and two years of experience

Job description

JUVENILE JUSTICE SPECIALIST INTERN (UMP)

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: 57002
Opening Date: 06/26/2026
Closing Date: Continuous Job Posting
Agency: Department of Juvenile Justice
Class Title: JUV JUSTICE SPECIALIST INTERN (21976)
Skill Option: UMP Credential
Bilingual Option: None
Salary: Starting Salary as of 7/1/2026: $5,607
Job Type: Salaried
Category: Full Time
County: Jersey
Number of Vacancies: 1
Bargaining Unit Code: RC006 Corrections Employees, AFSCME
Merit Comp Code:

Position Overview

The Department of Juvenile Justice is seeking a compassionate and motivated candidate to assist in the positive rehabilitation of the youth in our care. The ideal candidate for this position will possess a passion for positive change, the ability to apply a high degree of patience with residents and their families, and the ability to confidently develop and implement recommendations for positive behavior change and rehabilitation. The incumbent in this role will possess excellent communication skills both orally and in writing as they will have daily interaction with various youth, other staff both inside and outside the facilities, families of the residents, and members of the community. The Juvenile Justice Specialist plays a critical role in the maintenance and rehabilitation of the youth in our care. If this sounds like an opportunity that fits the career path you’re looking for, then IDJJ is looking for you! We encourage all interested and qualified candidates to apply!

Essential Functions

• Under immediate supervision, and subsequently under direct supervision for a period of twelve months, participate in the supervision of the daily activities of youth including mealtimes, sleeping, recreation, and work.
• Interact with youth.
• Receive training on searching, inspecting facility and work locations for contraband.
• Provide input into the development of individualized service plans.
• Operate vehicle to transport youth.
• Administer non-prescription medication to youth at designated time and complete appropriate medication forms.
• Attend workshops and in-service training to attain, develop new and updated skill and proficiency to carry out specialized delivery programs to targeted youth involving group or individual services.
• Perform other duties required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Path A: Completion of four years of high school and two years of experience providing direct care to youth in the form of residential care, coaching, case management or mentoring.
• Path B: Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

This class title is included as an Upward Mobility Program credential title.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

• Preference for elementary knowledge of juvenile behavior problems and the means to develop successful and appropriate behaviors.
• Preference for elementary knowledge of adolescent psychological development, mental health issues affecting the juvenile offenders, and social development concerns.
• Preference for ability to work with clients in an empathetic and understanding manner to engender cooperation in daily living activities and support the individual development process in accordance with a service delivery plan.
• Preference for ability to successfully complete a comprehensive Department of Juvenile Justice training program.
• Preference for ability to communicate effectively with troubled youth, their family members and significant others and other professional service delivery staff.
• Preference for ability to follow oral and written instructions, and regulatory requirements.
• Preference for ability to write reports and maintain records, some of which require keyboarding skill.
• Preference for ability to organize, coordinate and lead recreational and social activities.

Conditions of Employment

• Require the ability to pass an IDOC/IDJJ background check.
• Require ability to pass a drug screen. The use of unauthorized drugs by an employee, regardless of position held, is prohibited.
• Candidates must be over the age of 21.
• Require the successful completion of a Department of Juvenile Justice Training Program.
• Require possession of an appropriate, valid driver's license.
• Require physical agility and strength to stand and walk for up to three hours at a time, to run for short distances, and to provide physical intervention and control, as necessary, in order to protect and/or restrain individuals.

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.

HOW TO APPLY

• Be sure you meet the qualifications listed above.
• Prepare a comprehensive resume to bring to the screening.
• Gather the needed identification documents listed on the Items to Bring to Screening page. Most importantly, bring a copy of your driver's license and your original license to the screening.
• Attend an employment screening. (Be sure you have completed the electronic application a few days in advance. Don't forget to bring your driver's license, a copy of your driver's license, and your resume. Bring all other additional completed forms as well.)

Work Hours: 1st Shift: 6:00am-2:00pm / 2nd Shift: 2:00pm-10:00pm / 3rd Shift: 10:00pm-6:00am
Headquarter Location: 17808 State Highway 100 W, Grafton, Illinois, 62037
Work County: Jersey
Agency Contact: Human Resources
Email: [e-mail]
Posting Group: Social Services; Public Safety

This title is within the Upward Mobility Program (UMP). General Program information can be found by clicking on the Upward Mobility Program link or for specific title information at UMP Titles.

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

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your junk mail, spam, or other folder for communication regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses.