Community Outreach Specialist - Re-Entry

Position serves as the police department's advocate for the development and implementation of programs designed to support individuals who are preparing for re-entry into the community. Responsible for the performance of professional and administrative work including the supervision of re-entry program activities.

Oversees the development, coordination, and implementation of re-entry plans and new initiatives for the department. Includes collaboration with community partners, officers and professional support staff assigned to other work groups. Additional assignments include assisting with the planning and coordination of departmental community engagement initiatives and assisting the other community outreach specialists assigned to the unit.1. Cultivate and maintain professional relationships with community partners such as the Cook and Kane County Probation Office or other county departments, educational institutions, and human services resources that are available to the community; provide a plan for the exchange and development of resources. City of Elgin Human Services Brochure

2.Collaborate with community partners to identify, create, and implement re-entry programs and services to include job training and opportunities, education, substance abuse treatment, mental health services, and other support services as needed.

3.Work with community partners to identify individuals that would benefit from re-entry support services.

4.Develop a plan to assess the specific needs of the individual and ensure a seamless network of appropriate support services for the individual; educate individuals on obtaining human services resources independently or with assistance, as needed.

5.Serve as the individual's community advocate and assist with navigating re-entry challenges to include providing guidance in the completion of forms and procurement of state identification cards, birth certificates, social security cards, transportation, housing, food, and clothing needs.

6.Develop written procedures and directives to ensure the proper oversight and management of the department's re-entry programs and initiatives; maintain case files, documentation, and statistics to evaluate the operational effectiveness of the department's programs; make recommendations to supervisors to enhance the overall effectiveness of re-entry services.

7.Provide community education on the department's re-entry program and services; collaborate with other work groups to determine opportunities for community education.

8.Work with Community Outreach Specialists and officers assigned to the workgroup with the planning and implementation of departmental community engagement initiatives such as National Night Out and other department sponsored events.

9.Maintain familiarity with the current trends in crime prevention and seek continued training relevant to community outreach and crime prevention; as appropriate, provide presentations on topics of interest to the community.

10. Coordinate and conduct tours of the police facility, when needed.

11. Through the public information officer, present community programs and news releases to the media outlets; provide updates to the respective department website pages.

12. The list of functions is not meant to be construed as being all inclusive. Duties may occasionally be deleted, or additional duties may be assigned permanently or temporarily, in order to accomplish departmental or city objectives.

Supervisory Status

Not applicable to position.Qualifications and Selection

1.Bachelor's degree in Health, Human, Social, or Behavioral Sciences, Criminal Justice or related field from an accredited college/university or an accredited Associate's degree in an above field with a combination of education and job experience in Social Services, Case Management, Corrections, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement or related field totaling five (5) years.

2.Knowledge and/or experience within the criminal justice system and challenges faced by individuals re-entering into a community is preferred.

3.Excellent communication, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.

4.Ability to work independently without close supervision and as part of a team.

5.Experience with diverse populations, people of varied ages and backgrounds.

6.Knowledge of community resources and aptitude for establishing partnerships with community partners and employers.

7.Ability to speak with the public courteously, tactfully, and impartially.

8.Comfortable with public speaking and event planning.

Elgin Police Department Job Description

Community Outreach Specialist /Program Re-entry Specialist Page 3

9.Possess skillsets necessary to assist with grant writing.

10. Possession of a driver's license.

11. Strong organizational and time management.

12. Demonstrative knowledge of computer applications.

"It is the policy of the Elgin Police Department to develop, support and advance the skills, knowledge and abilities of all employees through training," Standard Operating Procedure 33.1 Training. It is understood that budgetary conditions and class availability will determine when an employee receives the training outlined below.

Mandatory Training

1.Community Oriented Policing

2.CPR/First Aid/OC Certification

Suggested Training

1.Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)