The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ) is seeking a highly organized, self-motivated professional with a passion for advancing literacy outcomes to join our team as the Literacy Interventionist Administrator for the southern region. This position plays a vital role within the department by advancing literacy instruction in a security minded setting for youth in our care. The ideal candidate recognizes that education is a critical component of public safety and youth development and is committed to creating opportunities for educational growth within the structured environment of the juvenile facilities that encompass the Southern Region, understanding that many youths benefit from consistent, trauma-informed educational practices that support engagement, emotional regulation, and academic success. The incumbent will travel to agency facilities and youth centers within the Southern Region to collaborate with facility leadership, educational staff, behavior health professionals, and security staff to develop, implement, and evaluate evidence-based literacy interventions utilizing a trauma-informed approach designed to address significant reading deficiencies and learning gaps. This position provides instructional leadership that equips educators with effective strategies to increase reading proficiency, improve comprehension, strengthen written communication, and foster confidence in learning. The Literacy Interventionist Administrator promotes a positive educational culture that encourages resilience, personal responsibility, and encourages lifelong learning to prepare youth for reintegration into their communities by strengthening the foundational literacy skills needed for lifelong success. IDJJ encourages all qualified and interested applicants to apply!

Essential Functions

• Organizes, plans, executes and controls the operations of the specialized reading and academic intervention program for the Department of Juvenile Justice Southern Region. Develops and oversees current research-based strategies in alignment with district instructional goals for students with significant academic deficits.
• Conducts and guides regular progress-monitoring efforts in collaboration with instructional staff to support student academic growth and improve outcomes within the Southern Region.
• Utilizes both standardized and non-standardized assessments to determine academic placements. Oversees the use of assessment data to inform intervention groupings and instructional decision-making.
• Interprets academic assessment data and prepares detailed reports for building and district administrators, instructional teams, and support staff as directed.
• Coordinates and participates in relevant professional development, data analysis meetings, and educational workshops. Designs and facilitates district-level trainings for instructional staff as directed.
• Oversees the organization of intervention data systems, supports the creation of intervention plans, and evaluates the effectiveness of academic support strategies across secondary campuses.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires possession of a current and valid Professional Educator License with a General Administrative Endorsement (Type 75 OR General Administrative Endorsement).
• Requires possession of a current and valid Illinois Professional Educator License with Middle/High School Language Arts and/or Reading Specialist endorsement.
• Requires three (3) years of progressively responsible educational administrative experience in a public or business organization.

Preferred Qualifications (In Order of Significance)

• Prefers three (3) year’s classroom teaching experience.
• Prefers two (2) years’ experience working in juvenile justice settings or similar environment (group home, youth center, detention center).
• Prefers two (2) years’ experience using RtI/MTSS or data-driven instruction to improve academic outcomes.
• Prefers two (2) years’ experience developing and implementing small group and individualized interventions.
• Prefers two (2) years’ experience demonstrating effectiveness working with and improving academic performance of students from low-income backgrounds.
• Prefers two (2) years demonstrating ability to collaborate with other professionals to build student centered relationships and improve outcomes.
• Prefers two (2) years of experience integrating technology to deliver instruction.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires the ability to pass an IDOC/IDJJ background check.
• Requires ability to pass an IDJJ/IDOC drug screen.
• Requires the ability to travel in performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.
• Requires the ability to attend seminars, conferences, and trainings to stay current on methods, tools, ideologies, or other industry topics relevant to the job duties.

The conditions of employment listed here are incorporated and related to any of the job duties 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.

Benefits

The Department of Juvenile Justice offers an excellent benefits package including:

• 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)