CORRECTIONAL CASE WORKER SPECIALIST TRAINEE

State of Nevada; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Vacation

Sick Leave

Holidays

Retirement

Job summary

State of Nevada in Nevada is seeking a Correctional Casework Specialist Trainee at NNTH to support employment and education opportunities for Community Trustees before release.

Responsibilities include employment coaching, liaison with partners, program coordination, and assisting with inmate movement and appointments within the facility.

Qualifications

• High school diploma and 3 years in correctional settings conducting casework and investigations.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Four years of journey-level Correctional Officer experience in Nevada State service.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct routine casework assignments within established time frames to determine need for reclassification of inmates.
• Participate in Disciplinary Committee hearings and review case files and evidence.
• Prepare parole progress reports and document inmate history and activity.
• Assist with movement, release, transfer and housing assignments for inmates.
• Provide guidance to inmates regarding rules, programs, and emergencies.
• Respond to inquiries from Attorney General’s Office and other agencies.
• Draft correspondence for Prison Administrators and review grievance logs.

Skills

Report writing

Communication

Teamwork

Data interpretation

Inmate interaction

Legal/regulatory knowledge

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree

Job description

• No Nevada state income tax.

Job Summary

The Nevada Department of Corrections has a vacancy for a Correctional Casework Specialist Trainee. This position is located at Northern Nevada Transitional Housing (NNTH). Incumbents provide employment and education opportunities to qualified Community Trustees to seek employment and earn money prior to release. In addition to the typical duties, Correctional Caseworkers at NNTH engage in employment coaching and guidance; act as liaisons with community partners and employers, coordinate programs and employment, and assist with appointments and movement of offenders outside the facility.

Essential Qualifications

Graduation from high school and three years experience in a correctional, parole and probation, or comparable setting conducting casework services and investigations and preparing detailed reports for the purpose of rehabilitation, program development, and program services of clients or parolees and probationers, or the institutional classification and disciplinary process of inmates, parolees, and probationers; OR Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; OR four years of journey level Correctional Officer experience in Nevada State service performing post assignments requiring substantial interaction with inmates such as serving on disciplinary committees, or working in lockdown units, general population units, etc.; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Job Duties

Conduct routine casework assignments within established time frames to determine need for reclassification of individual inmates; analyze case factors which contribute to classification decisions such as changes in legal status, progress in service of sentence, decisions of parole authority, achievements and infractions; make determinations based on the application of laws, rules or regulations and thorough analysis and verification of data contained in case history files, investigative reports, personal interviews and departmental reports; compare inmate status against classification criteria; explain, interpret and advise inmate on decisions which are based on Nevada Revised Statutes, court case law, administrative regulations, and institutional/facility procedures.

Serve as a member of the facility’s Disciplinary Committee by hearing cases regarding inmate violations of institutional and work release rules involving general or major infractions; review inmate’s case files, investigative reports, statements from witnesses, evidence, and inmate testimony. Determinations are made as to the guilt of inmates and severity of the violation. Disciplinary sanctions are based on the Code of Penal Discipline and are submitted to the Associate Warden of Programs for review and approval.

Serve as a member of the Institutions/Facilities Classification Committee involving the classification of inmates during their regular reviews, post Parole Board reviews, post Disciplinary Committee reviews and for special classification issues; present and explain data regarding inmates on assigned caseload and participate in the classification process. Committee decisions are based on the Caseworker’s presentation of inmate file material, inmates’ statements, and eligibility in relation to established classification criteria.

Prepare parole progress reports regarding inmate history and activity prior to and during incarceration period. Information is provided as to the inmate’s criminal history, legal status and history, progress in service of sentence, classification history, institutional achievements, adjustment, infractions and criminal status in other jurisdictions. Inmate is interviewed for relevant input for parole report and is notified of hearing date. Release plans are requested as well as letters of verification. Completed report is reviewed with the inmate and supervisor prior to submission to the Parole Board. Represent the department at Parole Board hearings to provide information and take file notes.

Assist inmate in obtaining work assignments during incarceration by assessing their ability to perform various tasks based on medical records, inmate file history, and personal interviews; make job assignment recommendations to Classification Committee; observe and evaluate work performance and ensure work time credits are properly received and documented.

Respond to inquiries concerning sentence structure and sentence credits of inmates; obtain information regarding inmate work status by reviewing work history reports, institutional file, work time forfeitures and credits, and applicable laws involving parole and discharge eligibility.

Monitor status of assigned inmate’s custody level on a daily basis by reviewing movement sheets to determine if any housing changes, disciplinary or protective custody actions have been taken; review incident reports, interview inmate and document findings in inmate file; ensure inmate receives due process and assistance; complete all required reports and forms for review by supervisor.

Provide guidance to inmates regarding institutional rules, appropriate behavior, program opportunities, personal or family problems, emergency situations, medical or psychological needs and complete appropriate referral forms; encourage behavior modification and performance expectations within institution and take appropriate action; chronologically document information received from inmate and any actions taken to ensure compliance with due process procedures.

Respond to legal matters involving inmates within the facility by answering inquiries from the Attorney General’s Office and other agencies or institutions involving small claims, civil suits and/or criminal prosecution; conduct research to develop written response.

Conduct research and draft correspondence for Prison Administrators which may relate to inmate concerns regarding the staff or institutional programs and policy.

Prepare special reports for the Warden or Director involving removal or reinstatement of statutory good time credits for inmates involved in serious disciplinary infractions and submission of reports for transfer of inmates under the auspices of the Interstate Compact Agreement. Process, review, and maintain log book for inmate grievances; assign case numbers to grievances received and forward to appropriate party for written response; upon receipt, prepare written response to inmate and attempt to resolve grievance.

May coordinate the movement of inmates involving release, transfer and housing assignments by developing and reviewing appropriate documentation; ensure inmate records and/or property are gathered and transported with inmates and track their movement.

Perform related duties as assigned.

Under the direct supervision of the Correctional Casework Specialist III, incumbents receive training in performing all or part of the duties outlined in the series concept. This is the entry level for this series and provides for progression to the Correctional Casework Specialist I upon satisfactory completion of the probationary period, meeting the minimum requirements and with the recommendation of the hiring authority.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Ability to: write concise, logical, grammatically correct reports; speak on a one-to-one basis using appropriate vocabulary and grammar to obtain information and to explain policy; obtain and record information quickly and accurately; work as part of a team; convey accurate and precise data in a timely manner within established time frames; secure facts by personal contact and observation and checking records; interpret laws, rules, regulations and procedures for compliance; deal effectively with inmates of various social, cultural, economic and educational backgrounds.

Benefits Include

• Health Insurance: Medical, dental, life, and disability insurance programs for employees and their dependents/family are offered through the Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP).
• Vacation: Accrual of three weeks of annual leave each year.
• Sick Leave: Accrual of three weeks of sick leave each year.
• Holidays: 12 paid holidays per year.
• Retirement: Participation in the Nevada Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). Employees do not contribute to Social Security but will contribute to PERS if their position is at 50% or more full-time equivalency. For more information on how PERS service may impact Social Security benefits, visit the SSA publication.
• Deferred Compensation: The State offers a voluntary Deferred Compensation Program.
• No Nevada state income tax.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Eligible due to public sector employment.
• Longevity Payments Eligibility: Employees who have received a performance rating of "standard" or better and have completed eight (8) or more years of continuous service are eligible for longevity pay.

The State of Nevada is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to building diverse, inclusive, and innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. All applicants are considered without regard to race, color, national origin, religion or belief, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, domestic partnership, genetic information (GINA), or compensation and/or wages.

Additional benefits may apply to employees covered under a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), depending on their designated bargaining unit. For more information, visit the Labor Relations Unit (LRU).

For more details about your rights and responsibilities as a State of Nevada employee, please review the State of Nevada Employee Handbook (PDF).

State Holidays

• State Holidays The holiday schedule for State employees is established by the Legislature.

The Following Are Legal Holidays

• January 1.............................................. New Year's Day
• Third Monday in January.................. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday
• Third Monday in February................ Washington's Birthday
• Last Monday in May........................... Memorial Day
• June 19................................................ Juneteenth Day
• July 4.................................................... Independence Day
• First Monday in September.............. Labor Day
• Last Friday in October....................... Nevada Day
• November 11........................................ Veterans' Day
• Fourth Thursday in November........ Thanksgiving Day
• Friday following the Fourth Thursday in November...................... Family Day
• December 25........................................ Christmas Day

When January 1, June 19, July 4, November 11, or December 25 falls on a Saturday, the preceding Friday is the observed legal holiday. If these days fall on Sunday, the following Monday is the observed holiday. Eligibility for holiday pay is covered by the provisions of NAC 284.255

01

Do you have any of following?

• Graduation from high school and three years experience in a correctional, parole and probation, or comparable setting conducting casework services and investigations and preparing detailed reports for the purpose of rehabilitation, program development, and program services of clients or parolees and probationers, or the institutional classification and disciplinary process of inmates, parolees, and probationers.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.
• Four years of journey level Correctional Officer experience in Nevada State service performing post assignments requiring substantial interaction with inmates such as serving on disciplinary committees, or working in lockdown units, general population units, etc.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.
• None of the above.

02

A pre-employment criminal history check and fingerprinting are required. Persons offered employment in this position will be required to pay for these items. Can you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

03

Pursuant to NRS 284.4066, positions in this series have been identified as affecting public safety. Persons offered employment in these positions must submit to a pre-employment screening for controlled substances. Can you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No

04

A valid driver's license is required at the time of appointment and as a condition of continuing employment. Can you meet this requirement?

• Yes
• No
• Required Question