Position Overview

The Office Specialist position will serve as the facility coordinator for the Rasho, Lippert, Holmes, and other forthcoming lawsuit agreements. This position will work closely with the facility’s health care and mental health departments to gather and keyboard information for multiple reports and databases. This position requires accuracy and strict attention to detail. The position will be responsible for communication with internal and/or external auditors and legal entities. A background in policy and procedure, as well as working knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act, would be a plus for our ideal candidate. Previous experience working in a health care or mental health facility is preferred. The ideal candidate would be a self-motivated, task oriented, and organized individual with strong interpersonal and communication skills. We are looking for an energetic and dedicated candidate that is seeking to be an integral part of our team, a candidate that can be trusted to display professionalism, integrity, civility, transparency, accountability, and responsiveness in all actions. We encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

Job Responsibilities

• Plans, assigns, and reviews activities for several lawsuits, to include but not limited to Rasho v. Jeffreys, Lippert v. Jeffreys, Holmes v. Baldwin, and any other agreements which might be forthcoming.
• Responds to inquiries requiring knowledge of agency operations and programming as it relates to various topics required by the individual settlement agreements.
• Works with and collaborates information gathered from other sources, to be combined in various Microsoft Word and Excel documents and databases.
• Assists in scheduling assessments and appointments for the individuals in custody who are identified as part of the various settlement agreements, to ensure proper follow up and compliance of care.
• Coordinates efforts with other staff and reviews information in support of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
• Meets with individuals in custody who request assistance in their daily activities and refers to the facility medical director for assessment.
• Serves as a member of the internal facility review team, conducting facility reviews in an accurate and timely manner.
• Serves as a member of the internal facility review team, conducting facility reviews in an accurate and timely manner.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to two (2) years of secretarial/business college and one (1) year of office experience, or completion of high school and three (3) years of office experience, or three (3) years of independent business experience.
• Requires ability to keyboard accurately at thirty (30) words per minute.

Qualifying state employees, in the employee Upward Mobility Program, may complete combinations of specific proficiency tests and training programs leading to a certificate of proficiency in lieu of the stated requirements for this classification.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

• Prefers at least one (1) year of experience in office practices and procedures.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of experience using Microsoft Office software and computer programs.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of experience in office correspondence and documentation, specifically, using office appropriate grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of experience using manual and automated office equipment.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of experience instructing, guiding, and training others.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of experience establishing and developing written instructions and procedures.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of experience interpreting and recording medical and mental health documentation.
• Prefers at least one (1) year of experience working in a medical or mental health setting.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires ability to pass the IDOC/IDJJ background check.
• 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.
• 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.