<p>Cook County</p> <p>Sheriff</p> <p>Job Code: XXXX</p> <p>Job Title: PREA Assessment Specialist</p> <p>Salary Grade: 18</p> <p>Department: Department of Correction</p> <p>Bargaining Unit: Not Applicable</p> <p>Position Details: Civilian (non-sworn) / non-merit ranked / internal & external candidates</p> <p>FLSA Status: Non-Exempt</p> <p>Probation Period: 12 months</p> <p>Designation - SEAM EE: Professional</p> <p>Characteristics of the Position</p> <p>General Overview</p> <p>This position is responsible for administering a Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) intake screening and a PREA follow-up screening with individuals in custody to determine the risk of victimization and/or the risk of abusiveness. If an individual in custody (IIC) has the requisite score in the assessment, further follow-up is required as it relates to housing of the individuals in custody.</p> <p>The PREA Assessment Specialist assists the PREA Compliance Officer and the PREA Coordinator in completing the required PREA assessment upon intake within 72 hours of their arrival and again within 30 days of the IIC being detained.</p> <p>Key Responsibilities and Duties</p> <p>Administer the PREA intake and follow-up screening with individuals in custody.</p> <p>Assess the need for special housing based on their requisite score and advises the PREA Compliance Officer and/or the PREA Coordinator.</p> <p>Complete a criminal history check in CLEAR to identify the IIC's pending criminal charges and/or past convictions.</p> <p>Complete a check of internal system (Cook County Offender Management System - CCOMS) to determine if the individual in custody has any incidents or discipline.</p> <p>Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities</p> <p>Easily develops rapport with individuals in custody.</p> <p>Working knowledge of trauma victims and their behavior.</p> <p>Skill in recognizing mental illness and developmental disabilities.</p> <p>Knowledge of the LGBTQI population.</p> <p>Ability to quickly assess vulnerability and aggressiveness.</p> <p>Knowledge of basic methods of social work, insight into individual and group behavior, and familiarity with state criminal codes and procedures.</p> <p>Minimum Qualifications</p> <p>Master's degree in Criminal Justice, Public Policy, Social Work, or related field.</p> <p>One (1) year of professional work experience in a social service agency, criminal justice system, or local or state government.</p> <p>Ability to work within the Cook County Department of Corrections, including the ability to work directly with the IIC population.</p> <p>Ability to walk long distances or stand for extended periods of time throughout the course of the assigned shift.</p> <p>Excellent written and oral communication skills.</p> <p>Preferred Qualifications</p> <p>Three (3) years of professional work experience in a social service agency, criminal justice system, or local or state government.</p> <p>Knowledge of the Prison Rape Elimination Act Standards.</p> <p>Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook</p> <p>Experience in effectively interviewing subjects regarding information or incidents of a sensitive nature.</p> <p>Possession of bilingual language skills (English/Spanish).</p> <p>Previous internship at the Cook County Sheriff's Office.</p> <p>The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the many duties normally to be performed under a job title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee's normal line of work.</p> <p>Article EE, Civilian Selection Process, of the Sheriff's Employment Action Manual (SEAM), applies to this employment process and can be found at the following link:</p> <p>https://cookcountysheriffil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SEAM-Article-EE-Civilian-Selection-Process-updated-11-15-25.pdf</p> <p>Please note that there are no remote job opportunities, all positions are located onsite.</p> <p>All Cook County Sheriff's Office employees must apply on the internal employment page to be considered; the application may be accessed via the SheriffNet site on the Human Resource page.</p> <ul> <li>Note: All Internal Applicants are subject to Cook County Promotional salary rules if selected. </li></ul> <p>I Certify that no Political Reasons or Factors were considered in any decision I made or action I took related to this Employment Action. Further, I do not know of or have any reason to believe that anyone else considered or took action based on Political Reasons or Factors with respect to this Employment Action.</p> <p>EEO Statement</p> <p>The Cook County Sheriff's Office is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits all unlawful discrimination in its hiring and promotional process. The Cook County Sheriff's Office employment decisions will not be based on race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, family or parental status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.</p> <p>Benefits</p> <p>Health Insurance Program - Health insurance coverage includes medical, dental and vision care and is available for an employee and his/her eligible dependents.</p> <p>Holidays - Thirteen (13) Holidays are granted in each Fiscal Year. Employees who are active at the beginning of the fiscal year (December 1st) also qualify for a floating holiday.</p> <p>Sick Leave - Granted sick leave is earned and accrued at the rate of one (1) day for each month of service and may be accumulated up to one hundred and seventy-five (175) working days.</p> <p>Vacation Leave - Granted Vacation leave is earned and accrued, with employees having the opportunity to accrue fifteen (15) days within the Fiscal Year; Vacation leave accruals increase based on an employee's anniversary date of employment.</p> <p>Life Insurance - Basic term life insurance, equal to one (1) time the employee's annual salary, is offered to every employee at no cost and the employee may elect to purchase supplemental coverage.</p> <p>Pension Plan - Employees contribute into the Cook County Pension Fund and earn a prescribed percentage for each year of service; employees may be eligible for an annual annuity after ten</p> <p>(10) years of service and upon reaching a certain age based on when the employee started employment.</p> <p>Deferred Compensation Program - Employees may elect to enroll in a deferred compensation plan, a tax deferred plan which may be used as a supplemental retirement option.</p> <p>The 2025 Cook County Employee Benefits Overview can be viewed at:</p> <p>https://www.cookcountyil.gov/sites/g/files/ywwepo161/files/documents/2025-09/OE26.Employee Benefits Overview (EBO)_County.pdf</p> <p>Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace</p> <p>It is the policy of the Cook County Sheriff's Office to provide a drug- and alcohol-free workplace for all members.</p> <p>It is imperative that all Sheriff's Office members are capable of devoting constant and uninterrupted attention to the performance of all assigned duties without risk to safety and security for themselves, other members, or the public. To ensure the goals of this policy are met, all Sheriff's Office members shall be subject to drug and alcohol testing, whether mandatory, random, or based on reasonable suspicion.</p> <ul> <li>Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. * </li></ul> <p>This position requires successful completion of post-offer tests, which may include a background check, drug screen and/or medical examination. Falsification of any information in the application process will result in disqualification and ineligible for appointment to, or employment in, a position in the County service for a period of five years. For current Cook County Sheriff's employees, such falsification may result in discipline, up to and including termination, and ineligible for appointment to or employment in a position in the County service for a period of five years. See Cook County Code of Ordinances, Article II, Sections 44-54 Unlawful Practices Relating to Employees and Employment - Penalty, 44-56 Political Discrimination; Cook County Employment Plan, Section V.N. Pre-Interview License and Certification Verification; Supplemental Policy No. 2014-2.13 Ineligible for Rehire List; and Cook County Personnel Rules 3.3(b) (7) (8) (18).</p> <p>Sheriff's Employment Action Manual (SEAM)</p> <p>The Cook County Sheriff's Office hiring process is governed by the Sheriff's Employment Action Manual (SEAM) which prohibits employment actions from being influenced by any Political Reasons or Factors for Non-Exempt Positions. Cook County Sheriff's officials and employees who become aware of or receive a complaint that involves an allegation of Political Reasons or Factors being considered in the hiring process of Non-Exempt positions are obligated to refer the complaint to the Cook County Sheriff's Director of Compliance. If the Cook County Sheriff's Director of Compliance sustains allegations of Political Reasons or Factors being considered, the Cook County Sheriff's Office will disqualify the Applicant or Candidate from consideration for employment and disciplinary action will be imposed on any involved Cook County employees, if applicable."</p> <p>The advertisement of this position by any individual does not constitute an offer or promise of employment, promotion, or any other employment action and shall not influence the Cook County Sheriff's Office hiring decision.</p>