Internet Safety Advocate

Cook County

Sheriff

Job Code: XXXX

Job Title: Internet Safety Advocate

Grade: 20

Department: Office of Public Policy

Direct Appointment

Characteristics of the Position

General Overview

Acts as a public-facing advocate on internet safety for children on behalf of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office. Develops and disseminates on behalf of the Office, best practices on how parents can protect their children while online, including traditional internet, smart phone apps or video gaming. Creates and maintains partnerships with external organizations, leaders and other parent advocates in the field. Stays current on new and existing internet threats and offers potential solutions to guide the Office’s work to protect youth and children from internet-based predators/scammers.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Solidifies the Cook County Sheriff’s Office as a reliable source for information on internet crimes against children and how parents can help protect their children.

Establishes concrete information on what games and apps are appropriate for children, how parents can set controls to protect their children (and the limits of those controls) and other specific best practices and actions parents can take.

Creates and presents educational content to schools, parent groups, etc., both in person and through online platforms.

Helps develop policy to address shortcomings in internet safety, including federal legislative changes and strong Office advocacy within the industry.

Liaison to Cook County residents, organizations, community stakeholders, public officials, and other parties on issues and solutions related to internet safety for children.

Researches, vets and meets with new and existing internet safety organizations to create partnerships, grow resources and generate new ideas for action in this area.

Collaborates with and assists Cook County Sheriff’s Police, Department of Public Policy, Communications and Executive Office staff with all issues related to internet safety and protecting children from online threats.

Responsible for advancing the Sheriff’s Policy Agenda; implements policy and communications strategies to effectuate the Sheriff’s Office’s vision and mission.

Develops and maintains confidential reports as requested by the Director of Public Policy and/or Chief Public Affairs Officer.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Established knowledge and credibility in the field of internet safety for children.

Excellent verbal communication skills, including experience in effective public speaking.

Ability to communicate (written and oral) effectively with staff and external stakeholders.

Ability to develop and deliver educational content while also supporting broader system-based solutions, including legislative proposals.

Ability to work with victims (specifically victims of internet crimes) in a professional and effective manner.

Exceptional organizational skills and attention to detail, along with the ability to create and write reports.

Ability to manage and adhere to strict deadlines, with regards to project implementation and time management.

Ability to develop a working knowledge of the operations of the Sheriff’s office as well as other public safety stakeholder operations.

Ability to work with diverse groups to achieve consensus.

Skilled in Microsoft Office.

Minimum Qualifications

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree, preferably in relation to specific duties and area of assignment; supplemented by two (2) years professional work experience of a relevant nature; OR, an equivalent combination of education, training and experience pursuant to acquiring the knowledge, skills and other proficiencies indicated herein.

Experience and knowledge in best practices to keep children and youth safe from internet predators.

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.

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.

**Article EE, Civilian Recruitment and Selection Process, of the Sheriff’s Employment Action Manual, applies to this employment process and can be found at the following link: https://www.cookcountysheriff.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/SEAM-Article-EE-Civilian-Recruitment-and-Selection-Process-10-17-19.pdf

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 international business. 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) times the employees 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.

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, dismissal after hire, and/or placement on the Cook County Sheriff’s Office Ineligible for Rehire List for a period of two (2) or five (5) years. For current Cook County Sheriff’s employees, such falsification may result in discipline, up to and including termination, and placement on the County’s Ineligible for Rehire List for a period of two (2) or five (5) 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).

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.”