Community Corrections Specialist

JOB OVERVIEW

GENERAL PURPOSE:
Under the general supervision of the Community Corrections Director or designee, supervise and monitor pre-trial and sentenced defendants in the community.  Perform a variety of skilled technical and administrative work requiring moderate decision making and independent judgment.

SELECTION GUIDELINES: 
Formal application, rating of education and experience, interview, reference checks, successful completion of a national criminal background check, successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen, and other job related tests or checks as may be required.

DISCLAIMER
The job description is current as of the date signed.  Any omission of specific statements does not exclude them from the position if they are similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, supervisors, County employees, attorneys, law enforcement, judges, employers, other agencies, and the general public.
• Supervise defendants released on bond or serving a sentence of incarceration in the community utilizing guidelines set up by the Court.
• Create and maintain records of client contact and activities
• Administer drug and alcohol tests for clients of the program.
• Conduct, score, and interpret assessment and evaluation tools.
• Coordinate and consult with social service agencies, community groups, private practitioners, clergy, and law enforcement agencies regarding defendants' needs.
• Attend bond settings and other Court hearings as required by the Director.
• Prepare and provide accurate and timely reports and offender assessments to the Director, Counsel, District Court and County Court Judges.
• Obtain criminal histories, background and collateral information on defendants. 
• Coordinate with other Law Enforcement Agencies to monitor compliance with conditions of bond.
• Maintain files on House Arrest/Work Release applicants to include background checks, charge information, job status, etc. and provide information to superiors for future determination of program eligibility.
• Process House Arrest/Work Release and Re-Entry Assistance Program(RAP) applications; submit for approval or denial to the Director or designee and appropriate judge.
• Monitor inmates that are on the Community Corrections programs by completing physical checks, phone checks, employment checks etc.
• Install and monitor clients' electronic monitoring equipment; maintain computer and surveillance of electronic monitoring equipment.
• Collect, receipt, and document monies owed by program participants.
• Carry out duties in conformance with Federal, State, County, and City laws and ordinances.
• Report to assigned worksite with regular, predictable, and consistent attendance.

Peripheral Duties

• Serve as member of various employee committees, as assigned.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Community Corrections Director.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree* in Criminal Justice, Human Services, Law, Social Work, or related field required.
• Two (2) years' bona fide work experience in direct supervision of offenders required.
• Current certification in Preliminary Breath Testing preferred.
• Must be able to type a minimum 40 net words per minute (nwpm).
• Bi-lingual Spanish desirable.
• ?*Approved experience beyond required may be substituted for up to four (4) years of stated education.

Special Requirements

• Must have and maintain throughout employment a valid Drivers' License, as well as meet eligibility requirements of "acceptable driver standards" as defined by the County.
• Must obtain within six months of employment and maintain certification in Preliminary Breath Testing (PBT).
• Must obtain Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) and/or Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) within six months of employment and maintain certification throughout the course of employment.

Necessary Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Considerable knowledge of modern law enforcement/criminal justice principles, procedures, and techniques
• Working knowledge of assessment methods and techniques
• Working knowledge of referral resources and processes
• Working knowledge of principles of human services
• Working knowledge of, and ability to use, computers and Microsoft Office software
• Working knowledge of current office practices and procedures
• Knowledge of social work, criminal justice system and procedures
• Knowledge of proper English usage, including spelling, grammar and punctuation
• Skill in executing effective customer service practices
• Effective communication skills with a diverse group
• Ability to understand and follow instructions
• Ability to work under pressure with frequent interruptions
• Ability to maintain and protect confidential and sensitive information and situations
• Ability to exercise sound judgment in evaluating situations and in making decisions
• Ability to use independent judgment in performance of duties
• Ability to work under pressure and/or frequent interruptions
• Ability to navigate stressful situations while maintaining composure
• Ability to prioritize work and carry out assigned projects to completion within time constraints
• Ability to perform tasks with attention to detail and a high degree of accuracy
• Ability to communicate effectively, in English, both verbally and in writing
• Ability to operate standard office equipment including, but not limited to, multi-line phone, computer, typewriter, printer, 10-key calculator, scanner, fax, copier, tape recorder, personal electronic devices, monitoring equipment, and drug testing tools
• Ability to use and skill with drug testing and electronic monitoring equipment

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to sit/remain stationary, and operate/manipulate equipment (e.g. use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls).  The employee is occasionally required to walk/move about, stand/remain upright, as well as reach, bend, and stoop.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or maneuver up to 25 pounds.
• Required sensory abilities include vision, smell, hearing and touch. Visual abilities, correctable to normal ranges, include close, distance, and color vision as well as the ability to adjust focus. Communication abilities include the ability to talk (i.e. verbal exchange) and hear (i.e. exchange information accurately) normal ranges.  While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally will be exposed to outside weather conditions, and to temperature variations, wet and/or humid conditions.
• Work is typically performed indoors in an office setting along with secure detention facilities and courts. Incumbents may travel the local area to observe program participants and may be exposed to outside weather conditions or unpleasant conditions, such as wet and/or humid conditions and airborne particles. Work hours may include evenings, weekends, call-ins, and holidays.  Work may be fast-paced when dealing with multiple priorities and time constraints.  The noise level is typically moderately quiet in the office, and moderate to loud in the field.