CDOC - Community Programs Specialist III (Re-Entry)

Colorado Department of Corrections; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado Department of Corrections seeks a Community Programs Specialist III to support parolees’ re-entry through comprehensive case management, transition planning, and coordination with parole officers, education staff, and community partners.

You will develop individualized plans, facilitate group sessions, and analyze service delivery data to improve outcomes for offenders in the Denver area. Strong collaboration and documentation are essential to success in this role.

Qualifications

• Six (6) years of professional experience with a hard-to-serve/high-needs client population in correctional/human services.
• Experience in case planning, coordination of services, referrals, and data/documentation for re-entry.
• Ability to work with multi-agency teams and community resources to support re-entry goals.

Responsibilities

• Assess re-entry needs and develop individualized transition plans.
• Provide case management and instruction on housing, employment, and pro-social skills.
• Facilitate group modules using evidence-based curriculum and technology.
• Coordinate with Community Parole Officers, Education staff, and local agencies.
• Maintain data and records for chronology of re-entry planning.
• Attend multi-agency meetings to plan and implement Re-Entry goals.
• Build partnerships with community organizations to connect clients with resources.

Skills

Offender services

Case management

Criminal justice knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in a relevant field

Tools

Data collection tools

Job description

Department Information

This position is only open to Colorado state residents. This posting may be used to fill future vacancies in Denver Metro. The first opening is located at the Aurora Parole Office. If your goal is to build a career that makes a difference and builds greater public confidence in good government, consider joining the dedicated people of the State of Colorado. Our professionals strive to support state government and the citizens of Colorado. Customer service is a key component for every position in state government as is the focus on ideas and ways to redesign the delivery of services in making state government more effective and efficient.

• Distinctive career advancement opportunities throughout the state system;
• Strong, secure, yet flexible retirement benefits including PERA Defined Benefit Plan or PERA Defined
• Contribution Plan plus 401K and 457 plans. Member Contribution Rates . Correctional Officers I-IV qualify as "Safety Officers" and are eligible for increased PERA benefits;
• Medical and dental health plans;
• Short and long term disability coverage;
• Paid life insurance;
• 11 paid holidays per year plus vacation and sick leave;
• Wellness program, tuition reimbursement, training opportunities and more;
• Visit State of Colorado Employee Benefits. for more information;
• This position is compensated on a bi-weekly pay cycle.

Description Of Job

Community Re-Entry Specialists work within assigned parole offices. This position will assess the re-entry needs of individuals, develop and implement transitional plans, provide case management to parolees to set goals and remove barriers, build community resources/support, provide linkages to other agencies and organizations, and maintain/analyze data concerning service provision. The position works in close coordination with Community Parole Officers, Parole Release Case Managers, Education staff, state/local agency staff, community and faith-based organizations, and other individuals/groups providing services to offenders in order to enhance public safety.

The Primary Job Duties Include

• Assess re-entry needs, barriers and strengths using formal and informal assessment tools;
• Develop individualized transition plans based on assessed criminogenic needs and risks;
• Deliver individualized case management and instruction in areas such as housing, employment, repairing family support systems, identifying thinking errors, and developing decision making skills for pro-social change;
• Facilitate interactive group modules using evidence based curriculum and technology;
• Provide transitional services for high needs and homeless in release transition meetings;
• Work as part of the region/office or facility work team and become familiar with and adhere to all policies, processes, and procedures;
• Attend multi-agency case staffing and meetings with professionals to plan, develop, and implement Re-Entry goals and objectives;
• Develop partnerships and collaborate with community organizations and other agencies to connect individuals with resources and services specific to their re-entry needs;
• Maintain and analyze data, collect feedback and evaluate transitional service delivery and utilize information systems to maintain chronological records for re‑entry planning;
• Perform other duties as assigned or required.

Residency Requirement

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

This posting is only open to residents of the State of Colorado at the time of submitting your application.

Class Code & Classification Description

H1O3XX Community Programs Specialist III

Minimum Qualifications

Experience Only

Six (6) years of*professional experience* working directly with a hard to serve / high needs client population in a correctional / human services environment providing casework, coordination of services and identifying needs, and referring to appropriate resources as your primary assignment. (Experience MUST be described in detail on your application to receive credit. Any work experience less than full time will be prorated).

Experience may also include working with a hard to serve needs client population providing components of offender management exhibited by involvement and familiarity with processes that directly affect offender classification, programming, or daily living which provide progressive opportunities for appropriate placement to include involvement in: Internal Classification Committees (ICC), Classification Hearings, Job Placement and Supervision, Individualized Program Instruction/Tutoring, Multi-Disciplinary Staffing, Responding to Offender Grievances and Resolving Offender Issues, Offender Housing Placement and Movement, Intelligence Gathering and Processing, as well as Role Modeling Pro-Social Behaviors while maintaining Positive Professional Communications by providing the offender population with Crisis Intervention. Additional components may include aiding offenders in locating housing, help with acquiring employment, and community resources/ support to include regular meetings with clients, coordination of services and/or assessing client's needs and referring to appropriate program intervention. Experience may also include aiding clients with over coming barriers for stability in reaching re‑entry goals.

NOTE: Entry level officers and clerical support experience does not have the authority outlined in the minimum qualifications to perform components of offender management as it relates to classification hearings, ICC, Multi disciplinary staffing, vetting responses to offender grievances etc. Therefore, experience as an entry level officer and clerical support does not meet the definition of offender management as outlined in the minimum qualifications.

• Professional experience involves exercising discretion, analytical skill, judgment, and personal accountability and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, and sharing an organized body of knowledge that characteristically is: uniquely acquired through an intense education or training regimen at a recognized college or university; equivalent to the curriculum requirements for a bachelor's or higher degree with major study in or pertinent to the specialized field and continuously studied to explore, extend and use additional discoveries, interpretations, and application and to improve data, materials equipment, applications, and methods.
• hard to serve or high needs client population is defined as providing components of case planning exhibited by involvement and familiarity with processes that directly a impact stabilization and behavioral needs to include: Locating shelter, jobs, and community resources/support to include regular meetings with clients, coordination of services and/or identifying needs and referring to appropriate resources. Experience may also include, but is not limited to, helping clients overcome barriers for community stability. (Experience MUST be described in detail on your application to receive credit.)

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications, you MUST attach a copy of your unofficial college transcript to this application that include your name, name of the institution, degree, and date conferred (in pdf or jpg format). ONLY APPLICANTS WHO MEET THE MINIMUM AND SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS PROCESS.

Ensure that the “Work Experience