Work Release Assistant Coordinator - Community Corrections - POLE III

To perform this position successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function of the position satisfactorily. The requirements listed in this document are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or ability required. Tippecanoe County provides reasonable accommodation to qualified employees and applicants with known disabilities who require accommodation to complete the application process or perform essential functions of the job, unless the accommodation would present an undue hardship.

Incumbent serves as Work Release Assistant Coordinator for the Tippecanoe County Community Corrections Work Release Program, responsible for supervising and directing assigned personnel, monitoring program participants, and coordinating Department operations.

DUTIES:

• Enforces Department regulations, including, but not limited to, ensuring proper completion of drug and alcohol assessments on participants and disciplining, and/or removing program participants as needed.
• Assists in overseeing day to day operation of the Work Release Program, while maintaining a safe and clean facility for the participants.
• Assists with supervising and directing assigned personnel, including assisting in interviewing applicants and making hiring recommendations, planning and making work assignments, assisting with evaluating performance and maintaining discipline.
• Serves as PREA Compliance Officer, responsible for reporting and documenting complaints or incidents filed. Following up on all investigations, a member on Sexual Assault Response Team, coordinating and reporting all findings to the PREA Coordinator.
• Serves as the American Correctional Association (ACA) Compliance Officer. Develops, provides training and implements policies and procedures to conform to the ACA Standards. Maintains quality assurance standards within the facility.
• Serves as Work Crew Coordinator. Works with other city and county officials to address their work crew needs. Coordinates work crew activities and assigns personnel to supervise participants while working. Serves as supervisor as needed.
• Prepares and processes payroll, including reviewing timecards, approving and/or denying time off requests, and verifying hours worked.
• Remains up to date on current best practices in the field of corrections and utilizing evidence based practices in daily operations.
• Prepares proper court documents for participants who abscond or violate the Work Release Program. Electronically files documentation with the appropriate Court.
• Testifies in court on criminal or civil cases and concerning Tippecanoe County Community Corrections, as required by order of court, following established Departmental policies and procedures. Reviews legal papers and court orders related to program participants.
• Serves as back up to Work Release Coordinator in their absence.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

I. JOB REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice or related area or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
• Possession of, or ability to obtain required certifications, such as First Aid, CPR, Taser, OC spray, and Evidence Based certifications. Ability to complete 40 hours of continuing education training per year. Ability to physically train in defensive tactics up to four (4) hours at a time.
• Ability to meet all employer and departmental hiring and retention requirements, including passage of a drug test, background check, and polygraph examination.
• Working knowledge of all programs at Community Corrections. May be called to Assists various law enforcement agencies with investigations and warrants concerning participants.
• Working knowledge of policy and procedures and basic understanding of Community Corrections Programs.
• Working knowledge of and the ability to properly use assigned Departmental uniforms and/or equipment, including metal detector, body scanner, mechanical hand restraints, portable breathalyzer, camera, radio, and video surveillance cameras, vehicles, supplies and other equipment.
• Working knowledge of standard English grammar, spelling and punctuation, and ability to prepare correspondence and reports.
• Knowledge of radio frequencies, codes, and procedures.
• Knowledge of legal requirements and standard policies, practices, and general operations of the facility, with ability to apply appropriate procedures to ongoing operations.
• Ability to communicate with incensed participants and deal with situations that arise using motivational interviewing and de-escalation techniques.
• Ability to properly use standard office equipment such as, computer, printer, calculator, and telephone.
• Ability to physically perform essential duties of the position, including, but not limited to, sitting/walking at will, walking/standing/sitting for long periods, lifting/carrying objects weighing more than 50 pounds, crouching/kneeling, bending at waist, close/far vision, reaching, handling/grasping/fingering objects, speaking clearly, hearing sounds/communication, and physically restraining inmates during emergency situations.
• Ability to effectively work and communicate orally and in writing with co-workers, other County departments, various law enforcement agencies, court personnel, attorneys, program participants and their families, and the public including being sensitive to professional ethics, gender, cultural diversities, and disabilities.
• Working knowledge of and ability to follow and make practical application of customary practices, procedures, rules, regulations, and personnel policies of the Department.
• Working knowledge of standard policies and practices of legal process, with ability to effectively apply and enforce applicable policies and procedures, complete required case reports, make recommendations to court, and apply and adapt procedures as cases demand.
• Working knowledge of and ability to utilize Evidence Based Practices and remain current on best practices in the correctional field.
• Ability to effectively prepare and complete all required forms and reports within established department deadlines.
• Ability to deal swiftly, rationally, and decisively with potentially violent individuals in precarious situations, and take authoritative action applying appropriate discretion and common sense.
• Ability to teach Evidence Based classes to program participants after retaining appropriate certifications.
• Ability to testify at legal proceedings and in court.
• Ability to perform essential functions of position without posing direct threat to health and safety of self and others in workplace.
• Ability to provide public access to or maintain confidentiality of department information and records according to State requirements.
• Ability to comply with all employer and department policies and work rules, including, but not limited to, attendance, safety, drug-free workplace, and personal conduct.
• Ability to understand, memorize, retain, and carry out written or oral instructions and present findings in oral or written form.
• Ability to work alone with minimum supervision and with others in a team environment. Often working under pressure and on several tasks at the same time.
• Ability to occasionally work extended, evening, weekend and/or irregular hours and travel out of town, sometimes overnight.
• Possession of a valid driver’s license and a demonstrated safe driving record.

II. RESPONSIBILITY:

Incumbent performs standard, recurring duties according to established department policies and legal procedures, making independent decisions and taking authoritative action in response to situational demands. Errors in decisions or work may result delays in other departments or agencies and/or endangerment to self and/or members of the public.

III. PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

Incumbent maintains frequent communication with co-workers, other County departments, various law enforcement agencies, court personnel, attorneys, program participants and their families, and the public for purposes of monitoring and evaluating participants, exchanging information, explaining policies and procedures, and supervising inmates. Incumbent's work frequently involves non-routine problem-solving to gain cooperation of law offenders in situations that may jeopardize the safety of the public and/or incumbent.

Incumbent reports directly to Work Release Coordinator.

IV. PHYSICAL EFFORT AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Incumbent performs duties in a detention facility and in the field, involving sitting/walking at will, walking/standing/sitting for long periods, lifting/carrying objects weighing more than 50 pounds, crouching/kneeling, bending at waist, close and far vision, reaching, handling/grasping/fingering objects, speaking clearly, hearing sounds/communication.

Incumbent is frequently exposed to the hazards associated with jail operations, such as violent individuals and communicable disease. No prolonged extreme physical demands are associated with normal duties or assignments.

Incumbent works with potentially dangerous, violent, and abusive program participants and must respond swiftly, rationally, and decisively in the situation. Incumbent is occasionally required to works evenings, extended, and weekend hours.