PSCS Social Worker I, Criminal Justice

State of Maryland•Howard, MD

3d•Onsite

About The Position

If you are looking for an exciting career with great benefits, pension, generous leave, competitive salary, and the opportunity for advancement and professional growth, apply to join the DPSCS team today! The Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services (DPSCS) is seeking dedicated candidates to fill important roles within our department. We are one of the largest departments in Maryland with nearly 12,000 employees and a budget of more than $1 billion. In order to fulfill our mission of promoting safety, we have increased security at our institutions while leading the way in innovative restorative justice projects that will help offenders reintegrate into society upon release. As a member of the DPSCS team, you can have a fulfilling career, while also enjoying a wide range of benefits such as medical and dental coverage, paid time off (i.e. vacation, sick leave), becoming vested in the State pension, supplemental retirement options, and even joining the Maryland State Employees Credit Union. GRADE ASTD17 LOCATION OF POSITION Howard County 7555 Waterloo Road Jessup, MD 20794 POSITION DUTIES Patuxent Institution is a maximum-security state prison designed to provide remediation programs and services to male and female incarcerated individuals based upon current best practices. The PSCS Social Worker I, Criminal Justice position is the intermediate performance level of professional social work in this facility. The main purpose of this position is to provide direct social work services to incarcerated individuals in one or more programs. Such services may include, but are not limited to, the following: social history assessments; diagnostic interviews; mental status assessments; cognitive-behavioral group psychotherapy (the primary treatment modality); individual psychotherapy; crisis intervention; and release planning and supervision of incarcerated individuals in the community. Conducts social history assessments, diagnostic interviews, mental status assessments, and other types of assessments as assigned. Provides direct psychotherapeutic services to incarcerated individuals. Cognitive-behavioral group psychotherapy may include both process-oriented and more structured, didactic groups. Individual therapeutic services may be provided to a lesser extent, and may include both individual therapy of a long or brief nature, as well as crisis intervention services. Engages in release planning and/or supervision of incarcerated individuals in the community.

Requirements

Education: Determined by the State Board of Social Work Examiners under the licensing requirements for Social Workers.
Experience: None.
Employees are required to be licensed as a Graduate Social Worker (on or before June 30, 2018), Master Social Worker (on or after July 1, 2018), Certified Social Worker or Certified Social Worker-Clinical by the Maryland State Board of Social Work Examiners prior to appointment to a position in State service.
Applicants who do not have a license may also apply pending receipt of the required license. When the license is obtained, submit a copy to the hiring department.
Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.
Employees are required to meet mandatory standards for continuing education as determined by the hiring department. Employees who fail to obtain the required continuing education credits shall be subject to disciplinary action including demotion, suspension and dismissal.
Employees must complete an approved training program in group counseling techniques.
Employees may be required to complete the Level I Counseling course certified by the Maryland AIDS Professional Education Center.
Employees required to qualify for and successfully complete the Entry Level Training Academy operated by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions.

Responsibilities

Conducts social history assessments, diagnostic interviews, mental status assessments, and other types of assessments as assigned.
Provides direct psychotherapeutic services to incarcerated individuals.
Cognitive-behavioral group psychotherapy may include both process-oriented and more structured, didactic groups.
Individual therapeutic services may be provided to a lesser extent, and may include both individual therapy of a long or brief nature, as well as crisis intervention services.
Engages in release planning and/or supervision of incarcerated individuals in the community.

Benefits

health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at a low cost
Personal Leave - new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date)
Annual Leave - ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year
Sick Leave - fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year
Parental Leave - up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child
Holidays - State employees also celebrate at least twelve (12) holidays per year
Pension - State employees earn credit towards a retirement pension
Release time for job-related CEU training
Reimbursement of costs of licensure or certification as required by clinical specialty
Tuition reimbursement available through the Federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program