SHERIFF’S OFFICE OF WORCESTER COUNTY

POSITION DESCRIPTION[1]

POSITION: Inmate Support Counselor II

BARGAINING UNIT: Professional Employees Job Grade: 20

I. GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Responsible for the assessment of both incoming and existing inmates to determine the appropriate services needed on an on-going basis; to develop and implement the appropriate treatment and rehabilitation program for inmates; to implement and administer case management and referral services for inmates for re-entry into the community.

II. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:[1]

• Conducts counseling interviews with new and existing inmates to develop and/or make adjustments to courses of action for treatment and rehabilitation and to assist them in achieving occupational or educational goals to overcome personal, social or family problems.
• Obtains and reviews information about inmates through records, interviews, and personal observation, to assess individual needs, to appraise interests and abilities and to recommend appropriate treatment plans, placements and security ratings.
• Develops working relationships with inmates by referring individuals to appropriate supportive services (e.g. medical, psychiatric, and vocational) as needed to aid in rehabilitation and to foster an atmosphere of cooperation between inmates and staff.
• Informs inmates of types and extent of services available, based on individual need, and reviews with inmate’s arrangements or activities necessary to attain desired goals.
• Provides support services to inmates by describing, explaining and answering inquiries concerning privileges, policies, and procedures; and to inform inmates of specific programs and services available through office hours at a minimum of (3) times per week.
• Confers with agency staff and professional specialists concerning available and appropriate programs and services and to exchange information, develop resources and resolve problems.
• Provides assistance for inmates in transition planning for reentry into society. (See attachment for further description of specific duties.)
• Performs case management duties for assigned caseload
• Serve as a member of classification boards
• Prepares classification reports on maximum security inmates to ensure compliance with established policy and procedures
• Utilizes OMS in order to update this information as needed.
• Maintains regular attendance
• Responsible for care and control of inmates during routine interaction with inmates in the housing units and while supervising inmate workers in their office areas. During an emergency response, if in the housing sector at the time the emergency occurs, responsible for reporting to their respective unit to assist in the emergency monitoring of inmate climate.
• Performs related work as assigned by the Sheriff’s Office

I. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A. Education and/or Experience: A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college in a relevant field is required; at least one (1) year’s relevant experience in social work required.

B. Special Requirements: Associates License (LSWA) preferred.

C. Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

• Knowledge of the principles, practices and techniques of counseling.

• Knowledge of interviewing techniques

• Knowledge of motivation and reinforcement techniques

• Knowledge of human personality traits and characteristics

• Knowledge of the types and symptoms of mental and emotional disorders

• Knowledge of the methods of general report writing

• General knowledge of principles and methods of correctional institution management including terminology.

• Knowledge of the factors, trends, and problems in providing counseling services to criminal offenders, inmates, or prisoners.

• General knowledge of the standard methods and procedures used for the security of buildings and property and standard methods and techniques of riot control.

• Knowledge of the laws, rules, policies, procedures, etc. governing assigned unit activities.

• Knowledge of the types and uses of agency forms.

• Knowledge of the types & availability of public & private organizations for providing services for the rehabilitation of ex-offenders, including psychiatric treatment, vocational & educational counseling, job placement, legal services & recreation.

• Knowledge of institutional specific policies and procedures regarding health, fire safety, and disorder management and other material presented at orientation.

• Knowledge of current computer programs used for classification and inmate tracking.

• Knowledge of CJIS, WMIS, and other related criminal justice systems.

• Knowledge of the terminology, codes and standard abbreviations used in connection with radio communications

• Ability to understand, explain and apply the laws, rules, policies, procedures, etc. governing assigned counseling activities.

• Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of data, to draw conclusions and to make appropriate recommendations.

• Ability to gather information by examining records, documents, and accurately record information provided orally, utilizing computer support systems.

• Ability to maintain accurate records and prepare general reports

• Ability to communicate effectively in oral expression

• Ability to establish rapport with persons from different ethnic, cultural, and or economic backgrounds

• Ability to motivate others and interact with people who are under physical or emotional disorders and recognize symptoms.

• Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential information

• Ability to adapt to varying work situations

• Ability to supervise, including planning and assigning work according to the nature of the job to be accomplished, determining training needs and providing or arranging for such training, motivating to work effectively, determining the need for disciplinary action and either recommending or initiating disciplinary action.

• Ability to be ambulatory inside a correctional facility

• Ability to defend oneself from assault

D. Physical Qualifications:

Ability to work in stressful prison facility and under pressure.

II. JOB ENVIRONMENT: Work performed in office and clinical settings within correctional facility. Possible exposure to communicable disease.

III. SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Director of Social Services.

IV. SUPERVISION EXERCISED: None.

SUPPLEMENTAL JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES RELATED TO

AFTERCARE OF THE RE-ENTRY PROGRAM

1. Maintains a caseload of offenders.

2. Works in collaboration with Re-Entry Services to assist with all aspects of Release Planning with offenders on caseload.

3. Completes reports documenting daily activities with client and community agencies, submit all necessary information to Regional Reentry Center.

4. Attends case conference meetings with Community Counselors (and offender) as required.

5. Serves as a liaison with residential programs, sober homes, and shelters. This includes but is not limited to, connecting with community agencies to assist in providing information on services.

6. Arranges and provides transportation as needed on day of offender’s release.

7. Assists in arranging and finalizing housing plan i.e. families, and programs.

8. Finalizes Universal Release Plan (In coordination with Regional Reentry Center).

9. Facilitates groups as directed. This includes but is not limited to, aftercare groups.

10. Assesses and meets with clients to address individual needs and make necessary referrals to community agencies.

11. Assist and refers clients in all aspects of obtaining a Massachusetts Identification Card, Driver’s license, social security card, birth certificate, food and clothing, employment and training.

12. Works closely with community landlords, public housing agencies and other housing agencies where client may obtain housing.

13. Refers client to Outpatient Substance Abuse services and/or Mental Health services by connecting with appropriate community agencies.

14. Maintains files on clients, update client progress notes, complete necessary reviews in order to maintain active or inactive files. Addresses any case management issues.

15. Assists inmates and parole with the parole process.

16. Attends all necessary trainings to receive information and complete mandatory 40 hours trainings.

17. Attends all required meetings.