Correctional Behavioral Specialist I - Foothills Correctional Institution

State of North Carolina • Morganton, NC

2d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is located at Foothills Correctional Institution, Morganton, North Carolina, Burke County. The Institution provides closed custody housing in 712 single cells for male offenders. Foothills Correctional Institution also has a minimum custody unit that has 248 capacities. Work in this class involves administering, scoring, and supervising psychological tests to offenders in a diagnostic/mental health setting. Work also involves counseling with offenders to establish the necessary rapport and attitudes that facilitate valid test results. Work may also include gathering relevant social, criminal, and mental health background information necessary to adequately interpret test results and prepare reports. Employees typically also have an assigned supportive counseling caseload designed to aid offenders' adjustment to prison environment and their psychological functioning. Employees function as liaison with diagnostic and treatment staff and may serve on various committees relative to treatment.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in psychology or other human services field from an appropriately accredited institution with several classes in psychology, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Positions being recruited specifically for diagnostics will require at least one year administering and/or conducting psychological testing.

Nice To Haves

• Documented knowledge of crisis intervention and other supportive counseling techniques.
• Documented knowledge of psychiatric diagnostic categories and the various behaviors associated with each is essential to recognize those inmates that require more intensive intervention.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• Ability to organize and prepare accurate records, charts, and reports and to analyze such information.
• Perform crisis intervention and routine counseling functions to include suicide prevention and recognizing abnormal behavior and taking appropriate action in accordance with established procedures.

Responsibilities

• Administering, scoring, and supervising psychological tests to offenders in a diagnostic/mental health setting.
• Counseling with offenders to establish the necessary rapport and attitudes that facilitate valid test results.
• Gathering relevant social, criminal, and mental health background information necessary to adequately interpret test results and prepare reports.
• Assigned supportive counseling caseload designed to aid offenders' adjustment to prison environment and their psychological functioning.
• Function as liaison with diagnostic and treatment staff and may serve on various committees relative to treatment.

Benefits

• Employees can participate in health insurance options, standard and supplemental retirement plans, and the NCFlex program (numerous high-quality, low-cost benefits on a pre-tax basis).
• Employees also receive paid vacation, sick, and community service leave.
• In addition, paid parental leave is available to eligible employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level