CORRECTIONS TRANSITION SPECIALIST

DOC-Administration; Homer (LA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections – Corrections Services in Homer, LA is seeking a Local Jail Corrections Transition Specialist. The role assesses offender risks, coordinates transitional services with local jails, and links offenders to rehabilitation programs to reduce recidivism.

The incumbent will work with Claiborne Parish Detention Center and travel to Union and Lincoln Parish facilities.

Qualifications

• Six years of experience in social services, corrections, psychology, counseling, nursing, teaching at the secondary level or above, or in the treatment/rehabilitation of offenders/inmates; OR
• Six years of full-time work experience in any field plus three years of experience in social services, corrections, psychology, counseling, nursing, teaching at the secondary level or above, or in the treatment/rehabilitation of offenders/inmates; OR
• A bachelor’s degree plus three years of experience in social services, corrections, psychology, counseling, nursing, teaching at the secondary level or above, or in the treatment/rehabilitation of offenders/inmates; OR
• An advanced degree in a social science field, social work, nursing, or education plus two years of experience in social services, corrections, psychology, counseling, nursing, teaching at the secondary level or above, or in the treatment/rehabilitation of offenders/inmates.
• EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION: Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.

Responsibilities

• Provides rehabilitative and reentry program instruction to state offenders in the assigned local jail (or jails). The programs offered should be based upon the needs of the offender population served, should be evidence-based and Department approved, and should be designed to reduce recidivism risk of participants.
• Ensures that program completion data is entered into the Department's data system in a timely manner, and that applications for Certified Treatment and Rehabilitative Program credit are submitted for offenders in a timely manner.
• Conducts assessments and interviews with state offenders in the assigned local jail (or jails) to identify recidivism risk and criminogenic needs to be targeted. Formulates case plans for offenders to ensure the offender's needs are met both pre- and post-release. Coordinates with Probation and Parole in the development of case plans and provides an updated discharge plan to Probation and Parole to ensure continuity of care and follow up on post-release referrals.
• Works closely with Sheriffs, Wardens, Clerks of Court and the courts to ensure that documentation for offenders needing initial Pre-Class calculation is collected in a timely manner so offenders can be made eligible for inclusion in reentry and transitional programs.

Skills

Assessment interviews

Program instruction

Interagency coordination

Case planning

Education

Bachelor's degree + 3 years experience in social services

Advanced degree in social science / social work / nursing / education + 2 years experience

Job description

Louisiana Department of

Public Safety & Corrections –

Corrections Services

www.doc.louisiana.gov

HEADQUARTERS OFFICES

Baton Rouge, LA

This position is domiciled at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center in Homer, LA.

At the Louisiana Department of Corrections, our mission is to promote public safety and strengthen communities through fair, professional, and responsive corrections services. We are committed to protecting the people of Louisiana with integrity, accountability, and a deep respect for the rights and dignity of all.

The Incumbent of this position serves as the Local Jail Corrections Transition Specialist for state offenders serving their sentence in an assigned local jail (or jails) and is charged with assessing offender risks and needs to insure proper placement of the offender and to offer rehabilitation programs to offenders in the assigned jail or jails. The Corrections Transition Specialist Is responsible for coordinating the process of providing transitional assistance services among staff from the assigned jail(or Jails), other local Jails offering reentry programs for state offenders, corrections institutions, the offender, and the community. The Department currently houses approximately 20,000 state offenders in local jails throughout the state. Approximately 11,000 of the 17,000 offenders released each year are released from local Jails.

This position will be primarily domiciled at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center in Homer, LA. It requires some travel between Claiborne, Union and Lincoln Parish Detention Centers.

Why work for DOC?

• Culture:DOC values and supports employees through numerous recognition programs, creating a sense of community, prioritizing internal promotional opportunities, clear communication, and professional development.
  • Growth:Professional growth is encouraged at DOC through numerous avenues.
  • Benefits:DOC offers a generous benefits package including; a defined benefit pension plan, health insurance that is also available post retirement, at least 10 paid holidays, sick and annual leave that rolls over from year to year, paid or time off accrued for hours worked over 40 per week, a deferred compensation plan, a flexible benefits plan, alternate work schedules etc. Alternative work schedules including 4/10’s MAY be an available benefit for certain positions upon meeting the policy requirements.

Please visit our website by clicking here to learn more about DOC, our facilities, and our mission.

Six years of experience in social services, corrections, psychology, counseling, nursing, teaching at the secondary level or above, or in the treatment/rehabilitation of offenders/inmates; OR

Six years of full-time work experience in any field plus three years of experience in social services, corrections, psychology, counseling, nursing, teaching at the secondary level or above, or in the treatment/rehabilitation of offenders/inmates; OR

A bachelor’s degree plus three years of experience in social services, corrections, psychology, counseling, nursing, teaching at the secondary level or above, or in the treatment/rehabilitation of offenders/inmates; OR

An advanced degree in a social science field, social work, nursing, or education plus two years of experience in social services, corrections, psychology, counseling, nursing, teaching at the secondary level or above, or in the treatment/rehabilitation of offenders/inmates.

EXPERIENCE SUBSTITUTION:

Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.

The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.

• Provides rehabilitative and reentry program Instruction to state offenders in the assigned local jail (or jails). The programs offered should be based upon the needs of the offender population served, should be evidence-based and Department approved, and should be designed to reduce recidivism risk of participants.
• Ensures that program completion data Is entered into the Department's data system In a timely manner, and that applications for Certified Treatment and Rehabilitative Program credit are submitted for offenders In a timely manner.
• Conducts assessments and Interviews with state offenders in the assigned local Jail (or jails) to identify recidivism risk and criminogenic needs to be targeted. Formulates case plans for offenders to insure the offender's needs are met both pre- and post-release. Communicates with Probation and Parole in the development of case plans and provides an updated case/discharge plan to Probation and Parole to insure continuity of care and follow up on post-release referrals. Works closely with Sheriffs, Wardens, Clerks of Court and the courts to ensure that documentation for offenders needing initial Pre-Class calculation is collected in a timely manner so offenders can be made eligible for inclusion in reentry and transitional programs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Employee will work withSheriffs, Wardens, Clerks of Court and the courts.
• Employee will work forDPS&C/Adult Reentry Corrections Services Claiborne Parish.

Position-Specific Details:

Appointment Type:JOB APPOINTMENT

• A job appointment is a temporary job lasting up to four years; however, should a permanent position become available, the employee may be converted to a probational appointment.
• This position may also be filled as a probational appointment if a non-temporary position becomes available in the recruitment process.
• If filled by probation, a permanent classified LA State employee, if selected, may be required to accept a probational appointment.

Other Important Information:

• IMPORTANT: In the supplemental questions section, applicants must authorize the HR Office of DPS&C-Corrections Services to contact prior employers to check references under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA), to be considered for employment, by answering ‘YES’ to the PREA question.
• Any degree, certificate, special license, or DD-214 must be verified by official documentation prior to hire.
• Any qualifying experience that is based on college credit/college hours should have an accompanying transcript for verification.
  • This Agency is a Drug Free Workplace.

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections - Corrections Services is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any non-merit factor including disability.

For further information about this vacancy contact:

Megan Coco

Human Resources Department

[e-mail]