<p>Cook County</p> <p>Sheriff</p> <p>Job Code: 7909</p> <p>Job Title: Domestic Violence Specialist</p> <p>Salary Grade: 18</p> <p>Department: Department of Corrections Programs</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: 12months</p> <p>Designation - SEAM EE: Not Applicable</p> <p>Characteristics of the Position</p> <p>General Overview</p> <p>The Domestic Violence Specialist, under the direction of the Director, will serve as a clinician for Cook County Sheriff's Office (CCSO), Department of Corrections (DOC). The Domestic Violence Specialist will provide evidence-based intervention, education and supportive services to Individuals in Custody who have been charged with perpetrating domestic violence. The Domestic Violence Specialist will provide individual and group interventions, case management, and supportive services. He/she/they will administer assessment measures, develop and review treatment and care plans, as well as coordinate community linkages. This role focuses on accountability, behavior change, and reducing recidivism through structural programming, assessment and case coordination within the Cook County Department of Corrections.</p> <p>Key Responsibilities and Duties</p> <p>Facilitate group-based domestic violence intervention programs (e.g. Batterer intervention, cognitive-behavioral groups, healthy relationships curricula) following approved evidence-based models.</p> <p>Deliver individual counseling or brief interventions to address patterns of power, control, and abusive behavior.</p> <p>Collaborate with domestic violence agencies for support services.</p> <p>Educate participants on accountability, emotional regulation, communication skills, and nonviolent conflict resolution.</p> <p>Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities</p> <p>Conduct intake screenings and risk/needs assessments specific to domestic violence perpetration.</p> <p>Provide information and education to understand the dynamics of domestic violence to perpetrators.</p> <p>Provide safety planning.</p> <p>Engage in community networking activities to both increase access to services for individuals.</p> <p>Collaborate with domestic violence agencies for support services.</p> <p>Record relevant client demographics, service usage and referrals.</p> <p>Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal). Demonstrated ability to work independently and cooperatively.</p> <p>Demonstrated problem-solving approach to concerns and challenges. Proficiency in data collection and reporting.</p> <p>Capacity to work effectively with others of diverse ages, languages, races, ethnicities, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, mental/physical abilities, and socioeconomic status.</p> <p>Availability to work a flexible schedule.</p> <p>Highly preferred: Bilingual/bicultural; familiarity with community resources; crisis intervention experience.</p> <p>40-Hour Domestic Violence Certification from an ICDVP approved trainer.</p> <p>All other duties and responsibilities as assigned.</p> <p>Minimum Qualifications</p> <p>Bachelor's degree or higher in social services (or related field) and/or minimum two years of experience working in the field of domestic violence, offender rehabilitation, or behavioral interventions.</p> <p>Two (2) or more years of full-time professional paid experience in social work or community service with a public or private social agency adhering to acceptable standards.</p> <p>Excellent written and oral communication skills are necessary with a positive attitude.</p> <p>Proficiency in Word, Excel and PowerPoint and Microsoft Outlook.</p> <p>Ability to work any shift assigned, including days, afternoons, or midnight; must be capable of working holidays and weekends; must be capable of working mandatory overtime, as required.</p> <p>Preferred Qualifications</p> <p>Master's degree in social work (MSW), Mental Health Counseling (MS), or Psychology (MA) from an accredited college or University; LCSW or LCPC licensure.</p> <p>Five (5) or more years of work experience with domestic violence victims and issues</p> <p>Two (2) or more years of community experience, directly working and integrating into the social/community needs of the members; a minimum of one-year (1) experience working in the</p> <p>Domestic Relations field, with a working knowledge of Orders of Protection and Domestic Violence Services; and/or in a hospital/clinical setting with mentally ill patients.</p> <p>Knowledge of Motivational Interviewing.</p> <p>Domestic Violence 40-Hour Training.</p> <p>Perpetrator Abuse Intervention Program 20-hour training.</p> <p>A minimum of one-year (1) experience implementing a case management system and linkage to services.</p> <p>Possession of bilingual language skills.</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(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>