Juvenile Justice Youth & Family Specialist I

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Juvenile Justice Youth and Family Specialist providing counseling services and assessments for youth in the Department of Juvenile Justice. Preparing transition plans and implementing case management models.

Posted 7/9/2026full-timeLincoln • Illinois • 🇺🇸 United StatesJuniorMid-Level💰 $6,404 - $9,187 per monthWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Provides counseling services to incoming youth during their initial orientation and adjustment to the facility.
Prepares, implements and monitors transition and parole release plans consistent with agency case management requirements.
Performs professional assessments of individual youth's criminogenic risks, personal strengths, and individual needs.
Implements the Department of Juvenile Justice Case Management Model for youth assigned to case load.
Provides crisis intervention and response to incidents and situations which require behavioral controls and sanctions.
Participates in continuing education programs, training and staff development to build skills and acquire knowledge which can be shared with others.
Recommends housing unit assignment and changes thereafter.
Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Requires a bachelor's degree in counseling or a closely related social sciences degree and two years of professional experience working with youth in juvenile services.
OR Requires a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and three years of professional experience in counseling or casework.
All candidates must be over the age of 21.
Prefers two (2) years of experience utilizing counseling and guidance principles and techniques.
Prefers two (2) years of experience utilizing your knowledge of theories of personality and deviant behavior, delinquency, and criminology.
Prefers two (2) years of experience utilizing your working knowledge of the principles of cognitive behavioral treatment.
Prefers two (2) years of experience utilizing your working knowledge of sociology of the family and of racial and cultural minorities, urban sociology and social problems.
Prefers one (1) year of experience utilizing your working knowledge of casework techniques and the writing of professional reports.
Requires the ability to pass an IDOC/IDJJ background check.
Requires ability to pass a drug screen.
Requires possession of a valid and appropriate driver’s license and the ability to travel.

Benefits

Comp & perks

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 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)

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

Counseling TechniquesCase ManagementProfessional Report WritingBehavioral ControlsTransition PlanningAssessment Of Individual NeedsKnowledge Of DelinquencyKnowledge Of Deviant BehaviorKnowledge Of SociologyKnowledge Of Racial And Cultural Minorities

Soft Skills

Crisis ResponseInterpersonal CommunicationTeam CollaborationTraining And Development

Certifications

Valid Driver's License