Correctional Program Specialist

This is an “internal” posting for ODRC employees. External applicants will not be considered.

This position works under general supervision and requires working knowledge of correctional social programs and program techniques.

• Completes risk assessments and case planning utilizing ORAS (Ohio Risk Assessment System), OnBase and DOTS Portal for assigned caseload.
• Plans and conducts unit programming (social and rehabilitative) for incarcerated persons.
• Assesses programming efforts of participants upon completion.
• Interviews inmates for inclusion in programs.
• Makes appropriate referrals for programs and services within the institution.
• Coordinates activities with volunteers and/or community service providers.
• Maintains records of incarcerated people’s program participation.
• Communicates with stakeholders regarding incarcerated people’s status and program progress.
• Provides direct contact services for incarcerated persons assigned to a specific living unit and caseload.
• Writes reports and correlates data as needed to include release planning, parole board packets and classification.
• Approves or refers visitation applications and collects personal and family information.
• Responds to kites at the unit level.
• Assists in the administration of orientation programs for incarcerated persons in the unit.
• Coordinates and arranges for outside agencies and community service providers to augment existing institutional programming and services (e.g., OBB (Ohio Benefits Bank), VA (Veterans Administration) and ODJFS (Ohio Department of Job and Family Services)).
• Responds to correspondence from community agencies, families, and public inquiries.
• Obtains release of information reports when required for outside agencies.
• Monitors student interns and volunteers in the absence of the unit manager.
• Serves on various institutional committees (e.g., Classification, Rules Infraction Board).
• Directs the unit as assigned in the absence of the unit manager.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.
• Attends meetings and trainings.

A minimum of 76 hours of unit management coverage per week per unit, will be required from unit staff, excluding secretaries and unit officers, to include late nights and weekends. In order to achieve 76 hours of coverage, the Unit Team, when developing proposed schedules, must stay within the following guidelines:

• There should be at least 13 hours of unit coverage Monday through Thursday
• There should be at least 8 hours of coverage Friday through Sunday
• Schedules for week day coverage (Monday-Thursday) should not begin before 7:00 AM or end before 8:00 PM
• Schedules for weekend coverage (Friday through Sunday) should not begin before 7:00 AM or end before 3:00 PM
• There will be no unit coverage provided on holidays

• 18 mos. exp in social or behavioral science or criminal justice or human services; 6 mos. exp in one or more of the following: report writing, record keeping, interviewing, counseling or contact with social service agencies.
• Or completion of associate core program in social or behavioral science or criminal justice or human services; 6 mos. exp in one or more of the following: report writing, record keeping, interviewing, counseling or contact with social service agencies.
• Or completion of undergraduate core program in social or behavioral science or criminal justice or human services.
• Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.

• Job
  
  Skills:
  
  Counseling and Rehabilitation, Social Services, Risk Assessissment, Direct Support/Direct Care, Investigation, Technical Documentation, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Customer Focus, Time Management, Establishing Relationships