Correctional Program Specialist - 20021031 & 20080966

State of Ohio • Paris Township, OH

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Correctional Program Specialist works under general supervision and applies working knowledge of correctional social programs and program techniques. The role supports rehabilitative programming and direct services for incarcerated people assigned to a specific living unit and caseload at the Ohio Reformatory for Women.

The specialist conducts risk assessments and case planning using ORAS, OnBase, and the DOTS Portal; plans and delivers unit programming; assesses participants’ progress; interviews people for program eligibility; and refers them to institutional services. The role also coordinates with volunteers and community service providers, maintains participation records, communicates about individuals’ status and progress, and prepares reports and related data for release planning, parole board packets, and classification.

Other duties include reviewing visitation applications, responding to unit-level kites and correspondence, assisting with orientation, obtaining releases of information, monitoring interns and volunteers when the unit manager is absent, serving on institutional committees, and directing the unit when assigned. Staff provide a minimum of 76 hours of unit-management coverage per week per unit, including late nights and weekends. Coverage is scheduled under specified weekday and weekend time-window guidelines, with no unit coverage on holidays. The position is permanent and full-time.

Requirements

• Meet one of the stated minimum qualification pathways: 18 months of experience in social or behavioral science, criminal justice, or human services, plus 6 months of experience in at least one of report writing, record keeping, interviewing, counseling, or contact with social service agencies.
• Alternatively, complete an associate core program in social or behavioral science, criminal justice, or human services, plus 6 months of experience in at least one of report writing, record keeping, interviewing, counseling, or contact with social service agencies.
• Alternatively, complete an undergraduate core program in social or behavioral science, criminal justice, or human services.
• Equivalent of the stated minimum class qualifications is accepted.
• Clearly describe relevant qualifications, experience, education, and training in the online Ohio Civil Service Application.
• Final applicants tentatively selected must undergo pre-employment urinalysis drug testing, including testing for marijuana.
• The final applicant selected must undergo a criminal background check.

Responsibilities

• Complete risk assessments and case planning for an assigned caseload using ORAS (Ohio Risk Assessment System), OnBase, and the DOTS Portal.
• Plan and conduct social and rehabilitative programming for incarcerated people in the unit.
• Assess participants’ programming efforts upon completion.
• Interview incarcerated people for inclusion in programs.
• Refer incarcerated people to appropriate institutional programs and services.
• Coordinate activities with volunteers and community service providers.
• Maintain records of incarcerated people’s program participation.
• Communicate with stakeholders about incarcerated people’s status and program progress.
• Provide direct-contact services to incarcerated people assigned to a specific living unit and caseload.
• Write reports and compile data as needed for release planning, parole board packets, and classification.
• Approve or refer visitation applications and collect personal and family information.
• Respond to unit-level kites.
• Assist with administration of orientation programs for incarcerated people in the unit.
• Coordinate with outside agencies and community service providers to supplement institutional programming and services, including OBB, the VA, and ODJFS.
• Respond to correspondence from community agencies, families, and members of the public.
• Obtain releases of information when required for outside agencies.
• Monitor student interns and volunteers when the unit manager is absent.
• Serve on institutional committees, including Classification and the Rules Infraction Board.
• Direct the unit as assigned when the unit manager is absent.
• Attend meetings and training, and perform other related duties as assigned.
• Provide unit-management coverage as part of a minimum of 76 coverage hours per week per unit, 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, and optional deferred compensation through Ohio Deferred Compensation.

What This Job Offers

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