About the Agency

The Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission is a state agency that was created by the Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission Act in 2009. The Act provides for an eight-member commission, chaired by a former judge. The Commission began receiving claims in April 2011 and continued accepting them until the statutory deadline of August 10, 2014. In 2016, the legislature re-opened the filing period through August 10, 2019. The Commission is authorized by statute to gather evidence about claims of torture occurring in Cook County and then determine whether there is sufficient credible evidence of torture to merit judicial review. To evaluate a claim, the Commission's staff can serve subpoenas to compel the testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence, administer oaths, and use any measure provided for in Illinois civil and criminal codes of procedure. If a matter is referred to court, the Circuit Court will review the case pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Post-Conviction Hearing Act and the TIRC Act. Upon review, the Circuit Court may order an evidentiary hearing in order to determine whether relief (e.g., suppression of a claimant’s statement or a new trial) is warranted.

About the Position

Subject to administrative approval from the Executive Director of the IL Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission, serves as confidential secretary; performs highly confidential and sensitive secretarial and administrative duties. Assists in the coordination and control of activities and materials; types a variety of materials of complex nature including reports, letters, court documents, speeches, etc.

Job Responsibilities

1. Serves as private secretary to the Executive Director of the IL Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission (ITIRC}.

• Assists with the review and evaluation of proposed state and federal legislation.
• Coordinates legislative review and implementation process within the office.
• Researches materials and drafts responses to legislators, government officials and general public regarding sensitive and controversial matters brought to the Executive Director's attention, including Commission Personnel issues needing highest level of confidentiality.
• Researches sensitive issues needing immediate response and resolution by the Secretary.
• Develops operating policies and procedures for the Executive Director's Office and interprets such for staff.

2. Advises and instructs staff on changes in procedures affecting the preparation of correspondence and reports for the Executive Director's review.

• Serves as a resource to other office staff providing guidance and direction in resolving complex or technical problems and monitoring special project activities.
• Researches, gathers information, and independently performs special projects and studies within the Executive Director's Office, which are complex and sensitive in nature.
• Analyzes and interprets data.
• Develops and prepares special reports.
• Assists in obtaining and coordinating information from various areas of the agency, which is needed for presentations, etc., made by the Executive Director and other professional staff within the office.

Job Responsibilities (continued)

3. Serves as receptionist for the office.

• Assists in the coordination and control of activities and materials.
• Receives Executive Director's incoming mail, maintains daily mail log, reads, screens and directs mail to the Executive Director or appropriate staff requesting action.
• Sets completion dates for requested actions and follows-up.
• Screens calls and callers for the Executive Director and staff; determines which staff may supply necessary information; answers questions and makes arrangement to appropriate staff to meet and/or talk with caller; logs calls and follows-up to assure appropriate action was taken by staff in a timely fashion.
• Maintains office supplies and ordering for the Executive Director and Office.
• Schedules and facilitates claimant interviews with Executive Director and Staff.
• Either personally maintains or arranges with DoIT to maintain TIRC website; ensures compliance with Open Meetings Act by posting Commission meetings, agenda and minutes on website in timely fashion.
• Directs staff and participates in clerical and equipment setup for commission meetings, assisting the Executive Director, Commissioners and staff with necessary logistics; assists Executive Director by assisting Commissioners with technical aspects or facilitates DoIT’s assistance in those matters.

4. Utilizes a personal computer and word processing software to type a variety of materials of a complex nature including reports, letters, court documents, speeches, news releases, legislative proposals, statistical charts and tables, memos, travel vouchers, etc., for the Executive Director.

• Prepares routine correspondence on a regular basis and non- routine correspondence as assigned.
• Develops and updates spreadsheets and charts.
• Compiles and types minutes of meeting, testimony, etc.

Job Responsibilities (Continued)

5. Coordinates the Executive Director's schedule of appointments and travel arrangements with the office. Arranges travel itinerary for the Executive Director; cancels and reschedules appointments and/or meetings.

• Participates in agency-wide staff meetings.
• Gathers data or prepares special reports for presentation by the Executive Director.

6. Develops and maintains secure filing systems for the office.

• Confers with various administrative staff, and Executive staff regarding the development and improvement of clerical and secretarial procedures.
• Advises and instructs support staff on these procedures.
• Assists Commission support staff in the preparation of special projects assigned by the Executive Director when additional support staff is needed for completion of assignment.
• Operates various office equipment including copy machines, fax machines and related office equipment.
• Reviews, proofreads and edits all typed materials for correctness of grammar and spelling.
• Gathers background data and material for completion of assembling assignments.

Minimum Qualifications

1. Requires knowledge, skill and mental development equivalent to completion of two years of secretarial or business college and four years or secretarial experience or the completion of high school and six years of secretarial experience.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Prefers working knowledge of agency programs, rules and regulations.

2. Prefers ability to type accurately.

3. Prefers paralegal experience, training, certificate or degree.

4. Prefers thorough knowledge of principles of office management and ability to apply human relations skills to interaction with management, officials or government, private industry, and the public.

5. Prefers working familiarity with Microsoft Office software and Adobe Acrobat Pro.

Conditions of Employment

1. Drivers License

2. Occasional Overtime Required

3. Occasional Travel Required.