Inmate Programs Specialist

County of Tulare; Visalia (CA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Tulare County Sheriff's Department seeks staff to coordinate inmate programs in Visalia. The role involves counseling, conducting interviews, and managing program resources to support inmate services.

The position requires an associate degree and two years' experience in social services or criminal justice, with strong communication and data reporting skills. Work location is Visalia, with full duties as described in the job posting.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Sociology, or related field.
• Two years’ experience interviewing or counseling in social services or criminal justice.
• Knowledge of community resources available to inmates and families.
• Ability to read and interpret program rules and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate inmate programs and services.
• Interview inmates to assess needs and placement into programs.
• Assist with grant research and funding contracts.
• Maintain statistical data and prepare program reports.
• Recommend program improvements based on data.

Skills

Interviewing

Counseling

Communication

Community resources

Group leadership

English grammar

Basic algebra

Reading ability

Education

Associate's degree in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Sociology or related field

Job description

This recruitment will establish an employment list to fill current and any future vacancies within the Tulare County Sheriff’s Department. The anticipated life of the employment list is six months. If interested in employment for this position for current or future vacancies, please submit an online application for consideration.

Current vacancies are with the Sheriff’s Department located in Visalia. The anticipated life of the list is six months.

Please note, our policy contains personal appearance standards which include prohibiting visible tattoos above the collar line or below the wrist. We ask that all applicants be able to meet this requirement.

• Conduct, organize and coordinate a variety of inmate programs/services such as post release referral counseling, educational resources, reading materials, volunteer services, community service providers and recreational activities.
• Interview inmates to determine the need for and placement into appropriate programs and monitor custodial participant’s progress and involvement.
• Assist with the research and preparation of grant applications and funding contracts.
• Collect and evaluate information, draw valid conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
• Maintain a variety of statistical data and prepare reports to demonstrate the effectiveness of the various programs.

For a full list of duties for this position, please click here.

Essential job duties may be assigned that are not listed above but are relative to this job classification. (Reasonable accommodation will be made when requested and determined by the County to be appropriate under applicable law.)

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum qualifications are used as a guide for establishing the education, training, experience, special skills and/or license which are required and equivalent to the following.

Education:

• Graduation from an accredited college with an Associate's degree in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Sociology or a related field.

Experience:

• Two (2) years of experience involving interviewing or counseling in a social services or criminal justice environment.

Knowledge of:

• Community resources available to inmates and their families.
• Group leadership methods and techniques for directing work.
• Instructional and recreational activities for adults.
• Social and emotional factors which influence human behavior.
• Basic algebra.
• Proper English usage, grammar, spelling and punctuation.

Skill/Ability to:

• Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds by respecting beliefs, interpersonal styles and behaviors of both clients and co-workers.
• Operate contemporary office equipment inclusive of computer, keyboard, and all applicable electronic equipment.
• Read, interpret, implement and explain program rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Collect and evaluate information, draw valid conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.

Conditions of Employment:

Candidates selected will be required to pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. Additionally, a background investigation may also be conducted, which may include a re-investigation every 10 years for some positions. An Employment Eligibility Verification using E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions. Some job classes may also require a physical exam.

College Cost Reduction Access Act

This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (CCRAA). Only student loan payments made after October 1, 2007 and in a qualified repayment plan are eligible. For more information you are encouraged to speak with your student loan service or visit: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER