Corrections Leisure Activities Specialist

Job Requisition ID: 56356Opening Date: 07/07/2026Closing Date: 07/20/2026Agency: Department of Juvenile JusticeClass Title: CORR LEISURE ACTIVITIES SPEC I (09811) Skill Option: UMP Credential Bilingual Option: NoneSalary: Anticipated Starting Salary: $5,328/mo (step 1b - eff. 7/1/26 ); Full Salary Range: $5,328-$7,819/moJob Type: SalariedCategory: Full Time County: CookNumber of Vacancies: 2Bargaining Unit Code: RC062 Technical Employees, AFSCMEMerit Comp Code:  

This position is a union position; therefore, provisions of the relevant collective bargaining agreement/labor contract apply to the filling of this position.

All applicants who want to be considered for this position MUST apply electronically through the illinois.jobs2web.com website. State of Illinois employees should click the link near the top left to apply through the SuccessFactors employee career portal.

Applications submitted via email or any paper manner (mail, fax, hand delivery) will not be considered.

Corrections Leisure Activities Specialist I (UMP) 

Requisition # 56356

Why Work for Illinois?

Working with the State of Illinois is a testament to the values of compassion, equity, and dedication that define our state. Whether you’re helping to improve schools, protect our natural resources, or support families in need, you’re part of something bigger—something that touches the lives of every person who calls Illinois home.

No matter what state career you’re looking for, we offer jobs that fit your life and your schedule—flexible jobs that provide the gold standard of benefits. Our employees can take advantage of various avenues to advance their careers and realize their dreams. Our top-tier benefits and great retirement packages can help you build a rewarding career and lasting future with the State of Illinois.

Position Overview

The Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice is seeking a motivated candidate to step into a rewarding role as a Corrections Leisure Activities Specialist I (UMP), at our IYC Chicago facility. This position contributes to youth development and rehabilitation every day and has meaningful impact on the youth we serve by planning, organizing, and leading engaging recreational and leisure programs that promote positive behavior, teamwork, and personal growth. As a mentor to the youth, this role models pro-social skills and creates a structured environment that supports emotional and physical well-being.  The ability to use creativity and leadership to design activities that reduce idleness and encourage constructive use of time provides endless opportunities for a creative and motivated applicant. Do you enjoy being part of a successful team? Come collaborate with a multi-disciplinary team to support individualized treatment goals of youth in our care. If you are passionate about making a difference, this position offers hands-on experience in behavior management, program coordination, and youth engagement. Join a team of professionals where your energy, creativity, and commitment can truly change lives.  IDJJ encourages all interested and qualified applicants to apply!

Essential Functions

• Under direct supervision, provides instruction in skills and techniques, and supervision for youths engaged in leisure activities.
• Provides direct supervision to youth participating in activities and youth workers.
• Provides recreational programming for special units.
• Plans activities in conjunction with the facility schedule.
• Secures and inventories all equipment and supplies.
• Monitors special events and entertainment.
• Participates in youth staffing meetings, evaluations, and assessments of youth treatment needs.
• Reports unusual incidents.
• Performs other duties as required or assigned which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to completion of four years college, with a bachelor's degree in leisure studies, recreation, physical education, art education, fine arts, studio arts, graphics, 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)

• Prefers working knowledge of the methods, techniques, and purposes of leisure activities.
• Prefers elementary knowledge of leisure activities programs and skills development tailored to individual needs.
• Prefers working knowledge of arts and crafts instruction.
• Prefers elementary knowledge of corrections regulations, policies, and proper channels of communication as applied to the leisure time programming.
• Prefers elementary knowledge of the attitudes, problems and behavior of individuals and groups in a correctional security setting.
• Prefers ability to prepare pertinent records and reports.
• Prefers ability to stimulate interest of institution residents in leisure time activities.
• Prefers ability to carry out leisure activities and teach leisure skills.
• Prefers ability to work effectively with individuals and groups.
• Prefers ability to express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.

Conditions of Employment

• Requires ability to pass the IDOC/IDJJ background check.
• Requires ability to pass a drug screen. The use of unauthorized drugs by an employee, regardless of the position held, is prohibited.
• Requires ability to travel in the performance of duties, with overnight stays as appropriate.

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

Work Hours: Vacancy 1: Tues, Wed, Fri, Sat 10:00 AM- 6:00 PM, Thurs 11:00 AM -7:00 PM, Sun/Mon OFF; Vacancy 2: Sun, Mon, Thurs 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Tue 11:30 AM -7:30 PM, Wed, 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM, Fri/Sat OFF 

Headquarter Location: 100 N Western Ave, Chicago, Illinois, 60612
Work County: Cook
Agency Contact: DJJ Human Resources
Email: DJJ.HumanResources@illinois.gov 

Posting Group: Arts, Design & Cultural; Public Safety; Social Services

This title is within the Upward Mobility Program (UMP). General Program information can be found by clicking on the Upward Mobility Program link or for specific title information at UMP Titles.  To utilize upward mobility contractual rights for this position, employees must apply internally and must upload a copy of the UMP grade notice to their application documents prior to submission. UMP grades can be uploaded to the Additional Documents OR Grade Documentation section of the application.

This position DOES NOT contain “Specialized Skills” (as that term is used in CBAs).

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Use the “Apply” button at the top right or bottom right of this posting to begin the application process.

If you are not already signed in, you will be prompted to do so. 

State employees should sign in to the career portal for State of Illinois employees – a link is available at the top left of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon. 

Non-State employees should log in on the using the “View Profile” link in the top right of the Illinois.jobs2web.com homepage in the blue ribbon.  If you have never before signed in, you will be prompted to create an account.

If you have questions about how to apply, please see the following resources:

State employees: Log in to the career portal for State employees and review the Internal Candidate Application Job Aid

Non-State employees: on Illinois.jobs2web.com – click “Application Procedures” in the footer of every page of the website.

The main form of communication will be through email. Please check your “junk mail”, “spam”, or “other” folder for communication(s) regarding any submitted application(s). You may receive emails from the following addresses:

• donotreply@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com
• systems@SIL-P1.ns2cloud.com