Community Engagement Outreach Coordinator; General Sessions Court Judges

Position Summary

This position is responsible for assessing and responding to the needs of the Recovery Court Program and building strategic relationships in the community that provide needed services to participants.

Pay Grade: 51

Salary Commensurate with Experience and Education

• Four (4) years of experience working with substance use disorder and/or mental health disorder clients; AND
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in criminal justice, social sciences, psychology, education or related field; OR
• An equivalent combination of related education and/or experience.
• PROOF OF EDUCATION, TRAINING AND/OR EXPERIENCE IS REQUIRED.

• Develops relationships with the local criminal justice system, community services and substance use disorder and mental health providers.
• Develops community resources and coordinates existing resources for adults with substance use disorder who are incarcerated in the local jails or are at risk of incarceration.
• Identifies, screens and assesses persons with substance use disorder and facilitates continuity of care.
• Develops program plans and carries out specialized programs for clients, coordinates transition plans for adults with a substance use disorder being released from the criminal justice system that includes referrals and linkages back into the community.
• Collaborates with clients and family members to work toward the attainment of recovery goals and to avoid further contact with the criminal justice system.
• Works with other agencies, individuals and groups in promoting the welfare of clients in the program.
• Develops and collaborates with other agencies to develop linkage plans for clients.
• Conducts follow-up activities with the persons when released from jail into community programs and services to ensure successful integration into the community from incarceration.
• Fosters a better understanding of the needs and rights of persons with substance use disorder and the needs and requirements of the criminal justice system through education and training activities.
• Partners with clients to develop an individual plan of services and support that enable each client to live as independently as possible in the community.
• Advocates for individuals with substance use disorder who are incarcerated or are at risk of incarceration to assure the protection of the clients’ rights and privacy.
• Submits quarterly reports on the activities of the Project.
• Works with the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (TDMHSAS) personnel to develop performance measures for the Project and ensures compliance and plans for future community projects that will address criminal justice and mental health needs.
• Attends and participates in network meetings and training as scheduled by TDMHSAS.
• Performs other related duties as required or directed.

• Thorough knowledge of the criminal justice system.
• Thorough knowledge of substance use disorder systems procedures and provider agencies to assist the addicted.
• Ability to work with treatment professionals to develop transition plans for clients.
• Ability to coordinate and direct activities of agencies associated with the provision of services.
• Ability to establish and maintain the system of records and compile composite reports.
• Ability to exercise good judgment in evaluating situations.
• Ability to make presentations.
• Ability to cooperate and work with other departments and service providers.
• Ability to deal with clients, co-workers and the public with courtesy and tact.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.

• Work may require attendance at meetings and activities after regular business hours.
• Work will require local and out-of-city travel to training and conferences.

This position is subject to a background check for any convictions that have a substantial relationship to potential job duties. Only convictions that are substantially related to potential job duties will be considered and will not automatically disqualify the candidate.

All employees hired after September 1, 1986, must be residents of Shelby County and shall continue to reside in the County as a condition of their employment. The residency requirement shall not apply to certain public safety/civil service employees. This means exemption from this policy is in effect for the following departments and positions: (1) Sheriff Deputy Patrol Officers, Deputy Jailers and Dispatchers, employed by the Sheriff Department, (2) Correction Officers employed by the Division of Corrections, (3) Firefighters, Paramedics and Dispatchers employed by the Shelby County Fire Department.

The residency exemption for public safety/civil service employees does not include Appointed positions with Sheriff’s Office, Division of Corrections or the Fire Department.