Corrections Transition Specialist

State of Louisiana • Homer, LA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections – Corrections Services is seeking a Local Jail Corrections Transition Specialist. This role is domiciled at the Claiborne Parish Detention Center in Homer, LA, and is responsible for assessing offender risks and needs to ensure proper placement and access to rehabilitation programs for state offenders serving sentences in assigned local jails. The specialist will coordinate transitional assistance services among jail staff, other local reentry programs, corrections institutions, offenders, and the community. The department manages approximately 20,000 state offenders in local jails, with about 11,000 released annually from these facilities. This position requires travel between Claiborne, Union, and Lincoln Parish Detention Centers.

Requirements

• Six years of experience in social services, corrections, psychology, counseling, nursing, teaching at the secondary level or above, or in the treatment/rehabilitation of offenders/inmates.
• OR Six years of full-time work experience in any field plus three years of experience in social services, corrections, psychology, counseling, nursing, teaching at the secondary level or above, or in the treatment/rehabilitation of offenders/inmates.
• OR A bachelor’s degree plus three years of experience in social services, corrections, psychology, counseling, nursing, teaching at the secondary level or above, or in the treatment/rehabilitation of offenders/inmates.
• OR An advanced degree in a social science field, social work, nursing, or education plus two years of experience in social services, corrections, psychology, counseling, nursing, teaching at the secondary level or above, or in the treatment/rehabilitation of offenders/inmates.
• Every 30 semester hours earned from an accredited college or university will be credited as one year of experience towards the six years of full-time work experience in any field. The maximum substitution allowed is 120 semester hours which substitutes for a maximum of four years of experience in any field.
• Applicants must authorize the HR Office of DPS&C-Corrections Services to contact prior employers to check references under the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) by answering ‘YES’ to the PREA question.
• Any degree, certificate, special license, or DD-214 must be verified by official documentation prior to hire.
• Any qualifying experience that is based on college credit/college hours should have an accompanying transcript for verification.

Responsibilities

• Provides rehabilitative and reentry program instruction to state offenders in assigned local jails, focusing on evidence-based programs designed to reduce recidivism risk.
• Ensures timely entry of program completion data into the Department's data system and timely submission of applications for Certified Treatment and Rehabilitative Program credit.
• Conducts assessments and interviews with state offenders to identify recidivism risk and criminogenic needs.
• Formulates case plans for offenders to address needs both pre- and post-release.
• Communicates with Probation and Parole regarding case plans and provides updated case/discharge plans for continuity of care and post-release follow-up.
• Works closely with Sheriffs, Wardens, Clerks of Court, and courts to ensure timely collection of documentation for Pre-Class calculations, enabling offender eligibility for reentry and transitional programs.

Benefits

• A defined benefit pension plan
• Health insurance that is also available post retirement
• At least 10 paid holidays
• Sick and annual leave that rolls over from year to year
• Paid or time off accrued for hours worked over 40 per week
• A deferred compensation plan
• A flexible benefits plan
• Alternate work schedules (e.g., 4/10’s may be available upon meeting policy requirements)

What This Job Offers

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