Pre-Release Programming Specialist - Columbia, SC

Pre-Release Programming Specialist - Columbia, SC

Department: CLS Other

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Greenville-Spartanburg, South Carolina

ABOUT CONCORDANCE:

Concordance’s reentry program is designed to dramatically reduce recidivism by helping individuals with justice involvement lead meaningful, abundant, and joyful lives. Our holistic, evidence-based model offers a wide range of services—therapy, case management, yoga, behavioral health and substance use recovery groups, spiritual care, life skills, medical care, education, and job readiness. Our Care Team formally supports each participant for a full year, ensuring stability and long-term success.

Concordance, a national leader in compassionate and innovative reentry care, is now operating in Missouri, South Carolina, and Virginia.

POSITION OVERVIEW:

The Pre-Release Programming Specialist facilitates group programming interventions for individuals prior to their release. This role works directly with participants, preparing them for their release and long-term success. The Pre-Release Programming Specialist works to build rapport and trust with participants throughout the pre-release process.

FACILITATING PARTICIPANT PROGRAMMING:

• Conducting impactful group sessions with participants within a correctional facility or virtually
• Providing frequent, supportive communications to participants
• Preparing for sessions in advance to maximize effectiveness of interactions
• Evaluating participant progress and support needed
• Upholding the quality and fidelity of Concordance Re-entry Model curriculum when delivering group sessions
• Building a bond of trust with participants to ensure smooth transition to post-release services

COMMUNICATING WITH THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY CARE TEAM AND EXTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS:

• Documenting all sessions in electronic record system, including noteworthy participant interactions
• Working collaboratively with participants’ care teams, providing input on progress and flagging holistic participant needs
• When working within a correctional center, building strong, professional, positive relationships with prison staff and administration
• Attend team meetings and trainings
• Occasionally, help set up for Center events or move classrooms around, including but not limited to carrying and setting up tables and chairs.

REQUIRED TRAVEL:

• This role requires local travel to institutions to deliver in-person services, as well as one day per week to the Concordance office in Greenville, SC.

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES:

• Desire and ability to build relationships and engage with participants and their loved ones
• Collaborative attitude and excitement about working in a multi-disciplinary environment
• Able to resolve conflict in crisis situations, problem-solve, and provide triage support to participants over the phone
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience in tracking participant outcomes
• Availability to travel locally as well as working some evenings and weekends to connect with participants at times when they are available
• Ability to organize, prioritize and handle multiple work assignments
• Familiarity with common office equipment
• Passion for our mission

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND LICENSING:

• Bachelor’s degree in social service-related field (social work, psychology, counseling, coaching, criminal justice, sociology, or similar)
• Three years of relevant work experience
• Experience working with justice-involved adults or other vulnerable populations (preferred).
• Ability to pass DOC security clearance
• Valid Driver’s license
• CPR/Adult First Aid certification preferred

SKILLS AND

COMPETENCIES:

• 1-3 years of experience of adult instruction, counseling, coaching, and/or experience directly supporting a formerly incarcerated population

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the…