Correctional Program Specialist - 20021031 & 20080966

State of Ohio • Marysville, OH

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Correctional Program Specialist works under general supervision and applies working knowledge of correctional social programs and program techniques. The position provides direct services to incarcerated persons assigned to a living unit and caseload, supports social and rehabilitative programming, and coordinates with institutional staff, volunteers, community service providers, and other stakeholders. Duties also include risk assessment, case planning, documentation, release planning, visitation processing, and unit coverage. Unit staff must provide at least 76 hours of coverage per week per unit, including late nights and weekends; no unit coverage is provided on holidays.

The position is based at the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville, Ohio. It is a permanent, full-time classified position. The schedule is not specified, though unit coverage requirements include weekday and weekend hours within stated time windows.

Requirements

• 18 months of experience in social or behavioral science, criminal justice, or human services, plus 6 months of experience in one or more of report writing, record keeping, interviewing, counseling, or contact with social service agencies; or completion of an associate core program in social or behavioral science, criminal justice, or human services plus 6 months of such experience; or completion of an undergraduate core program in one of those fields; or equivalent qualifications.
• Working knowledge of correctional social programs and program techniques.
• Ability to meet unit coverage scheduling requirements, including late nights and weekends.
• Final applicants must submit to pre-employment urinalysis drug testing, including testing for marijuana.
• The selected final applicant must undergo a criminal background check.

Responsibilities

• Complete risk assessments and case plans using ORAS (Ohio Risk Assessment System), OnBase, and DOTS Portal for an assigned caseload.
• Plan and conduct social and rehabilitative programming for incarcerated persons.
• Assess participants’ programming efforts upon completion.
• Interview incarcerated persons for program inclusion and make appropriate referrals for institutional programs and services.
• Coordinate activities with volunteers and community service providers.
• Maintain records of incarcerated persons’ program participation and communicate their status and progress to stakeholders.
• Provide direct-contact services to incarcerated persons assigned to a specific living unit and caseload.
• Write reports and compile data as needed, including release planning, parole board packets, and classification.
• Approve or refer visitation applications and collect personal and family information.
• Respond to kites at the unit level and assist with unit orientation programs for incarcerated persons.
• Coordinate outside agencies and community service providers to supplement institutional programming and services, including OBB, VA, and ODJFS.
• Respond to correspondence from community agencies, families, and public inquiries.
• Obtain releases of information for outside agencies when required.
• Monitor student interns and volunteers in the unit manager’s absence.
• Serve on institutional committees, such as Classification and the Rules Infraction Board.
• Direct the unit when assigned in the unit manager’s absence.
• Attend meetings and training, and perform other related duties as assigned.
• Provide unit management coverage as part of the unit staff coverage requirement, including late nights and weekends; no unit coverage is provided on holidays.

Benefits

• Medical coverage
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after completion of the eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal leave, sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave
• Education and development opportunities, including employee development funds and Public Service Loan Forgiveness
• Public retirement systems, including OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS
• Optional deferred compensation through Ohio Deferred Compensation

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed