Administrative Hearing Officer

Cook County

Sheriff

Job Code:   6007

Job Title:    Administrative Hearing Officer

Salary Grade:  24

Department: Department of Corrections – Individuals in Custody Disciplinary Unit

Bargaining Unit: Not Applicable

Position Details: Civilian (non-sworn) / non-merit ranked / internal & external candidates

FLSA Status:  Exempt

Probation Period: 12 months 

Designation – SEAM EE: Professional

Characteristics of the Position

General Overview

The Cook County Sheriff's Office Individuals in Custody Disciplinary Unit works as an unbiased entity that administers a hearing process to determine whether individuals in the Sheriff's custody have violated articulated rules within the Department of Corrections. Said hearing process operates fairly and with integrity to ensure compliance with due process requirements, which are encompassed in internal policy and state administrative codes. 

The Administrative Hearing Officer is responsible for managing the day-to-day individuals in custody (IIC) disciplinary process including but not limited to conducting and adjudicating IIC disciplinary infractions, imposing necessary and appropriate sentences/sanctions, ensuring the completeness of the IIC Disciplinary Report/Findings of Fact and Decision form(s), and ensuring due process requirements are met for IICs in each proceeding.  In addition, the Administrative Hearing Officer is responsible for conducting assessments and reviews of all Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC) operations and administration as directed by the Director of IIC Discipline and/or designee to ensure legal and constitutional compliance.  The Administrative Hearing Officer will review policies and procedures relating to all CCDOC operations and administration and to recommend changes when applicable.
 

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Conduct daily individual in custody disciplinary hearings in the Department facilities.

Interpret agency policy, directives and regulations for hearing officers, managing officials, program managers, facility staff and inmates of the Department.

Draft Department and agency policy, directives and regulations for review and approval by the Director of IIC Discipline.

Regularly review and familiarize themselves with the IIC Disciplinary Procedure, the IIC Disciplinary Code, and any additional Cook County Sheriff's Office policy related to IIC Discipline.

Coordinate with the other Administrative Hearing Officers in the scheduling of all IIC disciplinary hearings, ensuring that disciplinary hearings are held within the required timelines and in a reasonably private and secure setting in the division/unit.

Ensure hearings are conducted fairly, considering the weight to be given to the evidence supporting the charge(s) while recognizing the inmate's rights and applicable due process requirements.

Review all reports associated with an inmate's discipline prior to and after the disciplinary hearing for accuracy, completeness and compliance with the relevant department policies and procedures and administrative codes.

Listen to testimony and accepts evidence that is relevant to the existence of the code violation, issuing a determination of whether a code violation exists.

Document accurate summaries of all statements made by the IIC/any witnesses during the hearing.

Determine innocence or guilt of the IIC and whether restitution should be sought from the IIC based on statements, reports and other evidence provided.

Recommend the necessary and appropriate disciplinary measures for IICs guilty of breaking CCDOC rules and regulations.

Work with CCDOC to track all disciplinary and other findings resulting from the hearings.

Analyze the disciplinary measures imposed after a finding of guilt to ensure consistency throughout the Inmate Disciplinary Hearing Unit and proper administration of the sentences.

Make recommendations for operational, administration and process improvements based on regular inspections of CCDOC operations and interactions with staff and IICs.

Conduct reviews of CCDOC processes and procedures as directed.

Appropriately reports observed and alleged staff misconduct.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Intermediate proficiency in the use of office equipment, computers and data entry with the ability to apply these skills to his/her duties and responsibilities.

Ability to listen and communicate effectively and with tact and courtesy.

Excellent critical thinking, decision making and organizational skills.

Ability to identify and respond effectively to trends in data.

Ability to understand and apply due process principles and requirements to all aspects of the inmate disciplinary process.

Ability to satisfactorily prepare and complete various reports.

Ability to work well with others.

Ability to work in close proximity to individuals in custody in the CCDOC divisions.

Minimum Qualifications

A Juris Doctorate from an accredited institution.

Member of the Illinois Bar or admission to the Illinois Bar within one year of hiring date.

Ability to work within the Cook County Department of Corrections maximum-, medium- and minimum-security divisions.

Demonstrated ability to handle difficult and sensitive employee situations with refined judgement while maintaining confidentiality and adhering to data privacy laws and policies, AND/OR one (1) or more years of experience participating in administrative or similar type hearings.

Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience in the field of corrections.

One or more years professional experience scheduling and conducting IIC disciplinary hearings in a correctional setting.

Two (2) or more years of experience participating in administrative or similar type hearings.

One (1) year of experience conducting audits of the disciplinary process at correctional facilities.

Strong problem-solving skills, and the ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions based on accurate and timely analyses.

Exceptional interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.

Exceptional attention to detail and ability to produce high-quality work.

 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.

**Article EE, Civilian Recruitment and Selection Process, of the Sheriff's Employment Action Manual (SEAM), applies to this employment process and can be found at the following link:

Please note that there are no remote job opportunities, all positions are located onsite.

The Cook County Sheriff's Office prohibits all unlawful discrimination in its hiring and promotional process.

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.

*Note: All Internal Applicants are subject to Cook County Promotional salary rules if selected.

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.

EEO Statement

At the Cook County Sheriff's Office, we value and embrace you. It's our belief that diversity and inclusion is an essential component to our success as an organization. Accordingly, we are committed to provide a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. The Cook County Sheriff's Office policy applies throughout the employment relationship—including recruitment, hiring, training, advancement, separation, and day-to-day practices. The Cook County Sheriff's Office employment decisions will not be based on race, color and ancestry, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, family or parental status, disability, medical history, genetic information, or any basis prohibited by applicable law. Employment decisions will be based on an applicant's merit and qualifications, the position requirements, and our business needs.

Benefits

Health Insurance Program – Health insurance coverage includes medical, dental and vision care and is available for an employee and his/her eligible dependents.

Holidays – Thirteen (13) Holidays are granted in each Fiscal Year

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The 2025 Cook County Employee Benefits Overview can be viewed at Benefits

Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace

It is the policy of the Cook County Sheriff's Office to provide a drug- and alcohol-free workplace for all members.

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.

INCLUSION

We welcome you—the whole you. Your background, your culture, your ethnicity, your unique experiences, your way of looking at the world. We truly believe that your individuality helps us create a diverse, inclusive, and inspired workplace in which every ethnicity, nationality, religion, elder status, family structure and gender identity is embraced and valued. We also welcome your passion for making the lives of children, your co-workers, and our organization better. Because as different as we are, that's the common theme that will always keep us moving forward together. *Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship.* 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 Ineligible for Rehire List; and Cook County Personnel Rules 3.3(b

THE COOK COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER NOTE

As an internal candidate, should you be offered the position, salary allocations shall abide by the Cook County Personnel Rules. "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. 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. 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 Compliance Officer. If the Cook County Compliance Officer 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."