Classification Specialist

Osceola County•Kissimmee, FL

About The Position

Under direction, the Classification Specialist conducts critical classifications of inmates housed in the facility for more than 48 hours to determine appropriate housing placement. The position helps inmates adjust to institutional life and identifies suitable self-help, therapeutic, educational, and vocational programs. Work is performed at the journey professional level and includes processing inmate movement throughout the facility, providing assistance and counseling, and evaluating special-management, violent, or at-risk inmates.

Requirements

Associate's degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology, or a closely related field.
One year of experience in criminal justice, corrections, and/or social work; an equivalent combination of education, training, and/or experience may be considered.
Must possess and maintain a valid Florida Driver's License.
Knowledge of adult inmate classification, housing placement, correctional facility operations, case management, rehabilitation, and court and probation systems.
Knowledge of applicable federal, state, and local rules and regulations, including court and case-management procedures and terminology.
Knowledge of community and social service resources and signs and symptoms of substance abuse.
Ability to work independently in office and correctional environments, prioritize and organize work, exercise sound judgment in inmate supervision, analyze issues, develop solutions, and investigate complaints.
Ability to communicate professionally and effectively verbally, in writing, and in presentations.
Ability to interact tactfully with people from different economic and cultural backgrounds and maintain effective working relationships with inmates, agencies, coworkers, management, security personnel, members of the judiciary, and the public.
Ability to work under stressful conditions and walk, sit, or stand for extended periods.

Responsibilities

Classify inmates according to applicable rules, guidelines, and regulatory requirements, and monitor or revise custody, housing, and program placements as appropriate.
Coordinate daily with Security Staff and advise the Classification Supervisor of problems or potentially problematic housing and placement situations.
Receive, research, and respond to inmate requests and grievances concerning classification, housing, and placement rules and regulations.
Screen inmates for trustee-worker eligibility and make assignments according to departmental policy and procedures.
Respond to telephone inquiries and concerns, resolving them directly, referring them to the appropriate person or department, or serving as a liaison to Corrections staff.
Assist and counsel inmates with institutional adjustment and personal or family problems; conduct counseling interviews and provide constructive approaches to individual concerns.
Determine inmate eligibility for programs and whether participation may support adjustment; coordinate education and work schedules to prevent conflicts.
Help inmates develop community re-entry plans and access community resources, and assist them in obtaining legal documentation through the approved research liaison.
Calculate sentences longer than five days, including gain time, to determine projected release dates.
Serve as a liaison with other facility departments regarding inmate placement information and feedback.
Attend and participate in classification meetings to keep current with trends, legislative changes, and safety issues.
Maintain department filing systems and detailed legal records, reports, logs, statistical data, inmate demographics, placement records, and case narratives.
Perform records-maintenance tasks for incoming and outgoing inmates, including file checks, next-day release calendars, movement and transfer lists, and commitments for inmates transferred to DOC.
Provide training and complete Daily Observation Reports for new employees as needed or assigned.
Perform other related duties as assigned or necessary.