CORRECTIONS COUNSELOR II8126L1 Pay Grade: 24 25 DEFINITION OF WORK Summary This is work in managing and coordinating the development of inmate parole planning or in counseling difficult or recalcitrant inmates. Work involves offering guidance, counseling or assisting in the evaluation of inmates for the purpose of determining their potential for participation in programs or making recommendations concerning parole eligibility and management of unit teams. Standard Classification Factors Supervision Received - LEVEL B: "Under general supervision…" Employees working under general supervision usually receive some instructions with respect to the details of most assignments but are free to develop their own work sequences within established procedures, methods and policies. They are often physically removed from their supervisor and subject to only periodic checks. Difficulty - LEVEL B: Average… Where the employee is confronted with a variety of duties susceptible to different methods of solution which, in turn, places a correspondingly higher demand upon resourcefulness and concentration. Positions which require the analysis and evaluation of raw data and the rendering of conclusions would, in many instances, fall into this category. Complexity - LEVEL C: Work is of a standardized nature that may involve a variety of duties. Analytical thought becomes more important at this level due to increased data and changing situations. Tasks usually have several steps, some of which may not be directly related. Alternatives may exist for processes or methods to be used in solving problems. Workers at this level exercise a moderate amount of independent judgment. Work is controlled by routine review and reporting to or consultation with supervisors. When guidelines exist at this level, they tend to be more complicated or technical in nature requiring careful interpretation. Consequence of Actions or Decisions - LEVEL C: Consequences of actions or decisions at this level are limited in scope and effect as the work is reviewed occasionally. Errors may cause moderate inefficiency. Costs due to errors may be significant. Contacts - LEVEL B: The purpose of the contact is to plan, coordinate and advise on work efforts, interpret guidelines or instructions, elicit opinions or give guidance on the basis of facts to resolve common issues or problems when the information is not sensitive in nature or the individuals or groups are working toward mutual goals and have basically cooperative attitudes. Well developed communication skills are required. Physical Demands - LEVEL B: The work requires light physical exertion. The employee may be required to perform handling activities with lightweight or easily moved items (e.g. books, file folders, boxes of office supplies, small machine parts, etc.); perform moving activities for brief periods; operate light equipment; perform repetitive motions for brief periods; confined to a work area. Environmental Conditions - LEVEL C: The work environment involves hazards, risks or discomforts typical of working with or around machinery with exposed moving parts, irritant chemicals, heavy equipment or abusive or hostile clientele and patients. Exposure to disagreeable weather conditions and extreme levels of temperature, ventilation, lighting and sound are normal. Protective clothing or gear and specific safety standards or procedures may be required. Serious injury is possible. Supervision/Leadership - LEVEL B: Involves functional leadership responsibility. As a "senior worker", performing essentially the same or similar work as those overseen, responsibility includes training, instructing, scheduling and reviewing. As a "project leader" may be responsible for a phase(s) of a single project which includes planning, coordinating and reviewing the work of others. This level may also involve limited administrative responsibility such as participating in the evaluation of work performance. Distinguishing Features Differs from the Correctional Officer series which describes responsibility for security of the institutional rather than counseling and rehabilitation programs for the inmates. Differs from the Corrections Counselor I class which provides for work with a more general inmate population. Differs from the Unit Team Manager class in which the work is supervisory and administrative. EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED Counsels inmates having adjustment problems at the living unit, place of work or in other areas in order to identify factors causing problems; assists in organizing and formulating detailed plans for release or parole. Abstracts information from the SRDC psycho-social summary and other psychological and psychiatric findings and analyzes case data for presentation to the Unit Team. Reviews all pre-parole case material for accuracy, completeness and clarity of thought before distribution is made to field staff for investigation; specifically reviews those plans developed by counselors for inmates requesting parole out of state to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations established for Interstate Compact. Reviews all reports on inmates which include disciplinary matters and work performance and counsels inmates individually and with other unit team members. Recommends modification of an inmate's rehabilitation program in such areas as custody, program involvement, detail assignments, readiness for release on parole and transfers to other institutions, according to information obtained in counseling sessions. Implements and conducts group counseling sessions and programs for inmates with drug, alcohol and other identifiable problems. Advises and counsels inmates on the planning of their pre-release programs and conditions of their eventual parole; coordinates pre-release planning with state parole officers and state and local rehabilitation agencies. Participates in various institutional committee efforts such as Program Management Committee, Disciplinary Appeals Committee, Inmate Grievance Appeals Committee and unit teams as these functions relate to the pre-parole and pre-release planning responsibilities. Reviews all inmate requests for furloughs which require investigation of sponsor; makes recommendations regarding appropriateness of such furloughs to the Facility Administrator. Prepares necessary materials for sponsor investigation, forwards information to appropriate field service staff and coordinates the investigation process. Requests and coordinates post-furlough investigations when appropriate. REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES AND SKILLS Knowledge Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision. Knowledge of the principles and techniques of individual and group counseling of inmates in a correctional institution. Knowledge of modern concepts, principles, and practices related to the rehabilitation of criminal offenders. *Knowledge of attitudes, problems, and behavior of individuals under restraint. Knowledge of programs available for rehabilitation of prison inmates. Knowledge of interviewing techniques and methods. *Knowledge of English usage and written communication. Knowledge of general sociological and psychological factors effecting human behavior. Abilities Ability to review and summarize social, psychological, and inmates' personal background reports. *Ability to relate to and establish rapport with inmates of correctional institutions and to counsel them in their initial adaptation to institutional life. *Ability to work in a cellhouse within a correctional institution. *Ability to read and comprehend technical narrative material including manuals, handbooks, and instructional memoranda for application to daily work. *Ability to organize and clearly express information in a concise written form. *Necessary at Entry MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: A bachelor’s degree with major coursework in criminal justice, the social sciences, or the behavioral sciences, and one year of experience working with offenders in corrections, parole, or law enforcement. Additional experience may be substituted for the required education as determined relevant by the agency.Necessary Special Requirements: NC: 06/89 |