CORRECTIONS LEISURE ACTIVITIES SPECIALIST I (UPWARD MOBILITY)

Position Overview

As a Corrections Leisure Activities Specialist I, you will be part of a diverse team who provides opportunities designed to enhance physical, intellectual, cultural, social, and emotional learning and growth. These opportunities not only help individuals to develop and enhance their skillsets, but they also better equip them to be a productive member of society. We invite you to come make a difference in other’s lives and truly impact change.

Job Responsibilities

1. Provides instruction and supervision in skills and techniques to enhance opportunities for physical, intellectual, cultural, social, and emotional learning and growth for individuals in custody through engagement in a wide variety of leisure programs including but not limited sports, exercise, art, reading, and music.
2. Coaches and supervises teams of individuals in custody in leisure activities.
3. Assists in the planning, coordinating, and scheduling of events.
4. Monitors the safety, security, and sanitation of all equipment utilized in leisure time services.
5. Monitors volunteers and individual in custody workers assigned to the leisure time services area.
6. Maintains tool and key control.
7. Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four (4) years of college, with a Bachelor’s degree in leisure studies, recreation, physical education, art education, fine arts, studio arts, graphic, color and design, therapeutic recreation, music, theater or speech and communications.

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

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

1. Prefers at least one (1) year of experience providing recreational and programmatic events.
2. Prefers at least two (2) years of experience working with individuals in a custody setting.
3. Prefers at least one (1) year experience facilitating group activities.
4. Prefers at least one (1) year experience assisting with special events.

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires the physical ability to lift up to fifty (50) pounds.
2. Requires ability to pass the IDOC/IDJJ background check.
3. Requires ability to pass a drug screen. On January 1, 2020, the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act made it legal for residents  over the age of 21 to produce, consume and sell cannabis in Illinois.  Please note that although the law has changed, the Department will continue to enforce the Department’s zero tolerance Drug Testing policy. The use of unauthorized drugs, including cannabis, by an employee, regardless of the position held is prohibited.
4. Applicants are required to abide by all vaccine and/or other medical standards as set out by the employer.

About the Agency

The Illinois Department of Corrections is a multicultural agency deeply committed to ensuring diversity, equity, and inclusion. This commitment is at the forefront of our operations, hiring, policies and procedures, and training. We recognize the benefit of workplace empowerment, the importance of diversity and fully support an environment where ALL employees are treated fairly, respectfully, and have equal access to opportunities and resources necessary to thrive and contribute to the agency’s success. IDOC genuinely values the differences of individuals in our custody and is committed to ensuring a healthy living environment where they feel valued, respected, and included.

Through our commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), we shall establish and uphold agency policies and practices conducive to eliminating all forms of exclusion including, but not limited to, racism, ageism, ableism, sexism, discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender, and religious oppression.

The IDOC team works to serve justice in Illinois and increase public safety by promoting positive change in behavior of individuals in custody, operating successful reentry programs, and reducing victimization.

Employees enjoy excellent benefits, including health, vision, and dental insurance; retirement plan and deferred compensation; state holidays and other benefit time off; tuition reimbursement; and pre-tax benefit programs.  The department also offers extensive training and career advancement opportunities.

The Illinois Department of Corrections is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.