Corrections Case Management Counselor

Major Functions

The County of Volusia is seeking an experienced Case Manager for the Corrections Division. This position is located in Daytona Beach, Florida, and will be responsible for evaluating and assisting inmates and providing social and rehabilitative services in a County correctional facility. The primary responsibility for this position will be inmate classification, maintaining inmate records, and inmate release planning. This position requires excellent customer service skills and basic computer skills. The candidate must have experience working in the criminal justice field. Bilingual (English/Spanish) is a plus.

Illustrative Duties

(NOTE: These are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performed. The omission of specific duties does not exclude them from the position.)

Depending on assignment

• Interviews inmates to gather pertinent information relative to their criminal, social, and psychological backgrounds.

• Reviews all sentence and non-sentence records for security classification purposes.

• Conducts individual adjustment counseling, crisis counseling, and resource referral.

• Prepares and coordinates inmate participation in rehabilitative, recreational, and educational programs.

• Provides institutional orientation for new inmates.

• Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with law enforcement, probation and parole agencies for purposes of mutual exchange of relevant information. When necessary, supplies information under legal guidelines to proper persons and agencies.

• Maintains files.

• Prepares written reports based on the results of investigation, including recommendations based on conclusions reached through documented and verifiable sources.

• Interprets and analyzes findings based on accumulated information.

If assigned as Disciplinary Hearing Officer (DHO):

• Responsible for conducting administrative hearings in which the administrative charges an inmate receives for violating an institutional rule is adjudicated in accordance with the guidelines established in the Florida Model Jail Standards (FMJS) and American Correctional Association (ACA) Standards.

• Determines extent of rule violation by evaluating physical evidence, testimony, written statements and written incident reports, and by applying established guidelines.

• Researches existing policies, procedures, rules, and regulations, administrative decisions, legal precedence, court decisions, and criminal procedures, pertaining to cases heard.

• Reviews reports, video footage, witness statements and any other evidence provided to determine the innocence or guilt of the accused and then decides the innocence or guilt based on the Preponderance of Evidence.

• Prepares and signs all hearing reports including final decision, supporting documentation and specified or recommended disciplinary guidelines.

• Schedules hearings by reviewing correctional officer violation reports; approves witness lists; coordinates schedule based on witness and inmate availability; assembles documents for hearing; prepares or directs the preparation of hearing files and notices; ensures that inmate is aware of legal representation rights.

• Reviews and studies division disciplinary actions such as privileges restrictions with correctional officers to ensure that ruling is properly executed.

• Recommends the appropriate level of sanction based on previous disciplinary issues.

• Maintains a matrix listing each disciplinary hearing and the sanctions rendered.

If assigned as Inmate Employment Coordinator:

• Responsible for reviewing prior work histories of inmates in an effort to identify any work skills an inmate may possess.

• Interviews inmates regarding any work assignments as required.

• Assigns work details to inmates based on division needs, while considering the knowledge, skills and abilities of inmates.

• Fills job vacancies with qualified inmates.

All assignments:

• Attends work on a continuous and regular basis.

• Responds to emergency situations.

• Must adhere to Federal, State, County and Local ordinances.

• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology or a related field plus two (2) years of experience as a counselor or equivalent in a federal, state or local corrections institution, judicial establishment or group rehabilitative counseling.

Three (3) years of experience as a certified correctional officer in a federal, state or local corrections institution may substitute for the required two (2) years of specialized counseling experience.

A comparable amount of education, training or experience may substitute for the minimum experience.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of interviewing techniques.

• Knowledge of investigating procedures.

• Knowledge of the criminal justice system.

• Knowledge of social and educational agencies available to develop and sponsor programs for inmates.

• Ability to establish rapport with inmates.

• Ability to conduct thorough background investigations.

• Ability to analyze and interpret findings.

• Ability to communicate, both orally and in writing.

• Ability to supervise activities and programs.

• Ability to relate to individuals and recognize personal needs.

• Ability to work under stressful conditions.

• Ability to interact effectively with others.

• Must be able to relocate to other county locations based upon operational needs.

ADA REQUIREMENTS:

Physical Requirements: Light work. Ability to see talk and hear, manual and finger dexterity.Visual acuity (peripheral vision, depth perception) to operate motorized vehicles. Ability to lift, carry, push, pull a minimum of 10 pounds.

Mental Requirements:Ability to write complex business letters, reports, evaluations, recommendations and summaries. Ability to speak publicly in a clear concise manner to relay information, directions, ideas and details. Ability to perform basic mathematical functions. Ability to read and comprehend reports, technical and professional manuals and journals, abstracts.

Environmental Requirements: Inside work. Ability to tolerate confined, secured areas.