CORRECTIONS LEISURE ACTIVITIES SPECIALIST IV

Position Overview

The Department of Juvenile Justice is seeking an experienced and motivated candidate to serve as a Leisure Activity Specialist IV and oversee day to day activities in the leisure time services department.  The ideal candidate for this role will have proven leadership and team development skills, previous experience managing recreation programs and possess excellent planning and scheduling abilities. Are you ready to put your best foot forward and make a difference in the leisure time activities programs provided to the youth in our care? IDJJ encourages all interested and qualified individuals to apply!

Job Responsibilities

1. Manages recreation programs
2. Develops and maintains volunteer programs.  
3. Serves as full line supervisor.
4. Completes reports.
5. Prepares and authorizes equipment requisitions from staff.
6. Travels to participate in conferences, workshops, and committees.
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, supplemented by a master's degree with major course work in leisure studies, physical education, recreation, occupational therapy, art education, fine arts, studio arts, graphics, color and design, music, theater or speech and communication.
2. Requires two (2) years of professional supervisory experience in leisure activity services, recreation, occupational, park district and industrial therapy in an institutional or community setting.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

1. Prefers at least three (3) years of experience coordinating leisure activities for youth in congregate care and/or an equivalent setting.
2. Prefers at least two (2) years of experience reviewing and monitoring leisure activity programs and recommending revisions and/or modifications as needed.
3. Prefers at least two (2) years of experience developing and maintaining volunteer programs.
4. Prefers at least two (2) years of experience reassigning staff to meet day-to-day operating needs.
5. Prefers at least two (2) years of experience monitoring and/or controlling property, supplies, and/or equipment.
6. Prefers at least one (1) year of experience performing internal audits.

Conditions of Employment

1. Requires a valid and appropriate driver’s license.
2. Requires the ability to travel statewide.
3. Requires ability to pass the IDOC/IDJJ background check.
4. 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.
5. Requires the ability to comply with all local and federal health requirements and/or mandates. Governor Pritzker announced a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy for all State employees whose job duties require them to work in a congregate care facility. All 24/7 congregate-care facilities operated by the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice are included in this mandate, which went into effect October 26, 2021.

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.