Job Code: 611500

Pay Plan: CLS Salary Administration Plan

Pay Grade: 20

Occupational Category: Human Services

Effective Date: 05/06/2003

Class Definition:

Specialized professional casework, counseling, unit program direction, or restorative services for the Department of Corrections providing services to offenders in a correctional facility or a field office. Duties include designing, administering, and monitoring services for a client's (or facility unit's) immediate and long range needs including some specialized living situations and treatment. Duties also include addressing the needs of victims and the community through restorative case planning. Incumbents must form working relationships with clients, act as role models, and work with other staff, community service providers, and community boards as appropriate; and may act as living unit coordinators within a facility. Supervision may be exercised over subordinate workers, para-professionals or trainees on a regular, temporary, or case basis in accordance with workload, unit responsibility, or institutional staffing needs. Liaison with other correctional units and human service agencies, both public and private, may be required. Duties are performed under direction of a program superior or director.

Examples of Work:

Plans, supervises and coordinates unit activities and programs for facility units, or for offenders in a field setting. Interviews family members, school officials, law enforcement agencies, vocational counselors, medical practitioners, special treatment program staff, victims, and others regarding assigned cases. Assesses offender's potential for improvement, stability or continued deterioration. Individually or as part of a treatment team, formulates case plans to help individual and family functions; and to develop living skills, educational, and vocational goals as appropriate. Evaluates individual progress and unit functioning. May coordinate and direct living unit activities consistent with established goals. May initiate emergency procedures to remove an offender from his current living situation and arrange appropriate placement consistent with good security and treatment practices. Develops recommendations for changes in individual or unit status. Provides counseling and supportive services to offenders, their families and others. Addresses institutional and community needs of offenders through case management in a facility or in a field office. Administers instruments and makes recommendations for the custody classification or pre-sentence and pre-parole investigations of offenders. Evaluates unit team staff as appropriate. Develops appropriate incentives for offenders. May investigate offender grievances. Helps implement programs for convicted and pre-release inmates, to include supervising work release and furloughs. Counsels and provides social casework services as necessary and as directed by the courts. Maintains records and prepares reports as directed. May help determine restitution to injured parties. May collect and account for fines and restitution under court order. May arrest and return to court custody violators on warrants issued by appropriate authority. Recommends court or parole board action on cases. Acts as a liaison for the Department with Community Boards and monitors compliance with reparative agreements developed by a Reparative Board. Performs related work as required.

Environmental Factors:

Work is performed in a field office or in a correctional facility. Significant interaction with potentially dangerous correctional clients is involved. High stress may be present, as is some danger of physical assault. Evening, weekend, and alternating shift duty may be required to provide necessary services or emergency coverage. Field travel is necessary and incumbents may be required to provide private means of transportation. Work related court appearances may be anticipated.

Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Working knowledge of security principles and practices.

Working knowledge of casework principles and practices.

Working knowledge of interviewing principles and practices.

Working knowledge of directive, non-directive, group counseling, and group dynamic counseling techniques. Working knowledge of cultural, economic, social, and psychological factors which influence correctional clients and other disadvantaged individuals.

Working knowledge of the principles of Restorative Justice.

Working knowledge of the principles of Victimology.

Awareness of the dynamics of institutionalized or convicted clients.

Awareness of supervisory principles and techniques.

Ability to develop and maintain effective casework plans, including follow through in the delivery of services.

Ability to organize time and resources to achieve deadlines and goals.

Ability to perform the role of client advocate.

Ability to maintain accurate casework records.

Ability to comprehend and respond to offenders' and victims feelings and needs.

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Ability to work effectively and take decisive action in a stressful environment.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Education and Experience


Special Requirements
n/a