Waukegan, IL – State’s Attorney’s Office Diversion/Deflection Coordinator

SALARY: Up to $85,000/yr – Depending on Qualifications
DEPARTMENT: State’s Attorney
OPENING DATE: 07/01/24
CLOSING DATE: 07/31/24 11:59 PM

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
Are you looking for a challenging role within an organization that provides rewarding compensation, an excellent benefit package and career growth opportunities? If so, Lake County Government is the place for you. Comprised of nearly 3,000 employees, it is our goal to positively serve the residents of Lake County while working with a purpose. Our employees take pride in the work they accomplish while truly respecting a collaborative work environment.

The individual chosen to serve as Lake County State’s Attorney’s Diversion Coordinator will be an experienced attorney, social worker, counselor, former probation officer, former law enforcement officer, or other professional who has experience with the criminal justice system. Under the direction of the State’s Attorney’s upper administration, the Diversion Coordinator will work closely with prosecutors, police, treatment professionals, community-based organizations, court personnel, bar associations, and criminal defense lawyers to help build local capacity to provide restorative justice outcomes to defendants from all backgrounds. Typically, criminal defendants from privileged groups have taken advantage of their access to financial resources and health insurance to engage in “up-front rehabilitation” without the involvement of courts or formal probation. When defendants from under-served communities are not able to engage in such “up-front rehabilitation,” they receive criminal convictions, formal probation sentences, and sometimes, incarceration. This is exactly how class and racial disparities have perpetuated themselves in our justice system. The mission of the Coordinator will be to use evidence-based approaches to bring restorative justice to non-violent offenders from all backgrounds and to break the cycles of racism and classism in Lake County’s court system that have been tolerated for too long.

This is a grant-funded position, and the grant will pay up to $85,000 annually plus benefits.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Will take inventory of all area rehabilitation programs that do not require formal court sentencing;
• Will work with leaders of these programs to develop evidence-based rehabilitation modules (“modules”) that appropriate defendants can perform after a referral from prosecutor or police;
• Work with and train prosecutors and defense attorneys to refer appropriate defendants to rehabilitation modules;
• Monitor defendants who enter into these modules to ensure participation and compliance with SAO diversion rules (e.g. seek employment or education; avoid arrests);
• Develop and maintain a case-tracking system that monitors whether defendants who engage in modules re-offend in the future; and
• Educate and engage the broader community (including law enforcement) on the importance of restorative justice and up-front rehabilitation.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS ABILITIES AND EDUCATION REQUIRED:
• Outstanding communication skills are mandatory in a job that will range from talking to low-level
offenders to police officers to court personnel; • The ability to engage in coalition-building with a wide variety of stakeholders;
• Have extensive understanding of the Illinois criminal justice system and, specifically, pre-disposition docket culture;
• Professional experience in the Illinois criminal justice system or similar justice system or other government/public service environment;
• Have demonstrated experience providing strategic community planning services within Lake County or a similar environment;
• Have genuine and trusted relationships with community residents, stakeholders, and law enforcement entities, or the proven ability to establish such relationships;
• Have a physical presence in Lake County and the ability to travel countywide as needed per a flexible schedule;
• Be experienced at coordinating and convening community groups and agencies;
• College degree or higher is required; and
• Be effective at encouraging strong, collaborative working relationships across providers in such disciplines as substance abuse treatment, violence prevention, mental health services, career counseling, and youth development.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

Physical Requirements
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear.
• Employee must be able to lift stacks of file folders weighing up to 30 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Lake County offers a competitive salary and benefit package. We also offer flexible working hours, and a comprehensive wellness and training program. Visit our Prospective Employee page to get additional information on why you should work for Lake County!

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background screening, and drug testing.

Lake County is committed to being a diverse and inclusive workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

APPLICATIONS MAY BE FILED ONLINE AT:

Diversion/Deflection Coordinator
18 N. County Street 3rd Floor Waukegan, IL 60085
847-377-3000