Correctional Counselor

State of Iowa•Coralville - 52241 - Johnson County, IA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Iowa Medical and Classification Center (IMCC) serves as the reception and classification center for all those entering the adult male institutional corrections system. IMCC is a multi-faceted facility that employs a diversified professional workforce providing comprehensive services to both offenders and patients. This position involves direct offender supervision and case management, performing a broad range of moderate to difficult professional casework involving incarcerated individuals. It includes providing individual case management and group facilitation in social, behavioral, educational, vocational, and related program planning, and participating in the development and implementation of specific plans and goals using evidence-based practices for rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.

Requirements

Four years of full-time work experience in providing individual and group guidance and related counseling services in the areas of social, behavioral, educational, vocational and related program planning; or performing correctional, law enforcement, or jail administration duties involving community reentry preparation, pro-social behavior modeling, or supervision of individuals in work assignments.
A total of four years of education and/or full-time experience (as described above), where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience.

Nice To Haves

Within a period of time after hire, as determined by the appointing authority, employees in this class may be required to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and endorsements.

Responsibilities

Provides individual case management and group facilitation in a correctional facility in the areas of social, behavioral, educational, vocational, and related program planning.
Participates in the development and implementation of specific plans and goals utilizing evidence-based practices for rehabilitation and gradual reintegration into the community.
Participates in disciplinary, classification, and pre-parole classification committee meetings involving assigned incarcerated individuals.
Reviews misconduct reports and determines, in conjunction with the review committee, the extent of disciplinary action.
Recommends incarcerated individuals for release based on behavior, attitude, and related factors.
Ensures that all institutional policies in regard to committee functions are followed relative to incarcerated individual rights, appeals, notification of hearings, and explanations relative to committee findings.
Continuously interacts with incarcerated individuals, utilizing behavioral techniques to assist in the development of problem-solving skills, facilitating behavior change, role-playing, providing positive reinforcement, and instituting corrective measures.
Serves as a change agent when working with incarcerated individuals to prepare them for successful community reentry.
Instructs incarcerated individuals in conditions of supervision, legal terms, legal documents, policies, and procedures.
Assists incarcerated individuals in the development of attitudes and skills necessary for successful adaptation to a pro-social lifestyle back in the community.
Obtains and reviews all pertinent records and reports including probationary reports, criminal records, and information concerning family, education, employment, health, and other personal matters.
Assesses personal individual needs, capacities, educational level, family circumstances, behavioral problems, and aspirations.
Conducts and utilizes assessments that identify risk, need, and responsivity for the purpose of developing effective intervention strategies targeted at improving institutional behavior and recidivism and development of case plans.
Manages computer system ICON information and data input.
As part of a multi-disciplinary team, develops incarcerated individual treatment plans and implements and supports those plans.
Observes incarcerated individual behavior/interaction and regularly communicates observations and perceptions with co-workers and other treatment staff.
Communicates and documents observations to ensure effective case management and consistent application of change principles.
Consults with other professional staff members in structuring rehabilitative services and activities for incarcerated individuals with strong counseling and guidance needs.
Develops treatment plans that require special emphasis and change to increase the possibility of reaching a desired level of adjustment and orientation.
Attends and leads training classes and seminars.
Provides Training of Trainers in programs and provides continuous quality improvement to other staff as designated.