Correctional Counselor

ABOUT THE POSITION

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department is accepting applications for Correctional Counselors to fill a vacancy currently within the detention facilities located in Banning. This position will provide programming and re-entry services to inmates; provide casework and counseling services to a variety of inmates; help inmates adjust to the institutional environment; to maintain order and direct the conduct of inmates in an inmate treatment program setting and counsel and assist inmates in a county correctional facility experiencing personal problems.

This is the journey-level class in the Correctional Counselor Series. Incumbents in this class are assigned caseloads of varying difficulty and are expected to work within a chain of command. Employees are assigned to work within correctional facilities within a chain of command throughout Riverside County. Incumbents may report to the Supervising Correctional Counselor for work assignments and direction.

This recruitment may be used to fill current and future vacancies countywide.

Please note that this position is not a remote position, nor would there be an opportunity to telework.

Meet the Team!

The law enforcement professionals of the Riverside County Sheriff's Office, with a staff of over 3,600 dedicated men and women, cover the expanse of over 7,300 square miles in southern California. The Sheriff's Office is dedicated to serving the citizens of its communities with integrity, professionalism, leadership, and loyalty and believes in service above self.

Who may Apply?

This recruitment is open to all applicants.

Applicants who are current County of Riverside Sheriff's Officemay be considered before other applicants depending on the volume of applications received

Qualified applicants may be considered for future vacancies throughout the County.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Assess inmates' criminogenic risks and needs; evaluate inmate transitional re-entry needs; create client transitional or case plans; refer inmates to county intra-agencies and community-based resources regarding eligibility for government benefits, educational, vocational, and rehabilitation programs; encourage inmates to participate in the institution's programs; evaluate individual adjustments and progress and make recommendations to supervisor(s).

• Coordinate case management with public and private agencies in recommending appropriate institutional programs and preparing inmates for eventual release; advise individuals prior to their release regarding necessary adjustments; assist inmates in identifying and obtaining social services for which they are eligible.

• Provide individual and group workshops which incorporate a variety of skill building opportunities including job search, career advice and certificate programs.

• Initiate and conduct individual, collateral, group, and family therapy sessions, including the design and implementation of individualized treatment plans; incorporate a variety of therapeutic techniques to address a wide range of issues in a correctional program environment, including depression, addiction and substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress management, problems with self-esteem, crisis intervention, job and career concerns, educational decisions, issues related to mental and emotional health, and family, parenting and martial or other relationship problems.

• Prepare and maintain records and reports; maintain records on inmate casework; prepare narrative and statistical reports.

• Cooperate with public and private agencies in recommending appropriate institutional programs and prepare inmates for eventual release; advise individuals prior to their release regarding necessary adjustments.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education:Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree, including 18 semester or 27 quarter units in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, counseling, social work, education, or closely related field.

Experience: Three years of providing direct client services to individuals experiencing social adjustment, behavioral or mental health problems. This experience must have included counseling, client assessment and evaluation, and involvement in one of the following: community organization, community education/outreach, vocational placement, patient advocacy, including resource referral and liaison with service providers, or probation, parole or rehabilitation work.

Knowledge of: Individual and group counseling methods and techniques; motivational interviewing techniques; therapeutic programs; the complexity of human situations that may arise during institutional confinement; human behavior in a detention or jail environment; community resources and referral agencies.

Ability to: Follow oral and written directions; counsel inmates under adverse conditions (restrictive jail environment, crises situations, lack of privacy, time constraints); practice safety and security measures within a corrections setting; meet with inmates individually and in group settings; establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers; learn criminal justice procedures; write clear concise reports; keep updated and accurate statistical and case records.

Other Requirements

License: (Depending on Assignment) Possession of a valid California, Nevada or Arizona Driver's License.

Pre-Employment

All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of both a pre-employment physical exam, including a drug/alcohol test, and a criminal background investigation, which involves fingerprinting. (A felony or misdemeanor conviction may disqualify the applicant from County employment.)

Probationary Period

As an Approved Local Merit System, the County of Riverside requires all new regular or seasonal employees to serve an initial probationary period, the duration of which is indicated in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, County Resolution, or Salary Ordinance. Temporary and Per Diem employees serve at the pleasure of the agency/department head.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

For more information regarding the position, please contact the recruiter Mary Miller at 951-955-3464 or via email at mmiller@rivco.org.