Correctional Case Worker

Salary: $38,974 - $58,500. This position is part of the Hiring Incentive Program, offering a $1,500 incentive upon completion of the probationary period (not available to current City employees).

About the role

Incumbents in this position provide guidance and support to inmates regarding institutional rules, behavior modification, personal issues, and access to available resources. Responsibilities include conducting interviews, evaluating and classifying inmates, reviewing case files, and maintaining detailed records.

Responsibilities

• Apply counseling principles and practices in a correctional setting.
• Maintain contact with community-based resources.
• Frequent visits in housing areas to interact with inmates.
• Assess and review inmate custody/housing classification.
• Orient and assess inmate needs.
• Obtain and record emergency contact information.
• Submit medical, psychological, educational, and various referrals.
• Establish and determine short- and long-term goals for inmates.
• Accurately record inmate interactions and services rendered in custody records.
• Refer and track inmate group counseling participation.
• Provide crisis intervention in acute emotional or physical distress situations.
• Review inmate disciplinary reports for adherence to due process.
• Conduct inmate disciplinary hearings.
• Maintain and update inmate custody records.
• Communicate with internal and external customers.
• Prepare and submit various forms and reports.
• Produce and maintain monthly reports.
• Maintain and handle confidential and sensitive information.
• Interact and communicate in work groups and committees.
• Query the Integrated Jail Management System.
• Electronically maintain logs.
• Conduct exit interviews.

Requirements

• Three years’ experience in a correctional, parole and probation, or comparable setting, conducting casework services and investigations and preparing detailed reports for program development and client services, OR an Associate’s degree in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Social Services, or a closely related field, OR an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license while employed by the City of St. Louis. Must present a valid driver’s license at the time of application.

Preferences

• A Bachelor’s degree in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, Social Services, or a closely related field.
• Experience in substance abuse counseling or similar rehabilitative activities in community outreach programs or a correctional environment.

Skills

• Data Utilization: Ability to perform basic data analysis, including reviewing, classifying, categorizing, prioritizing, and referencing data, statutes, and guidelines. Requires discretion in applying established standards.
• Human Interaction: Ability to provide paraprofessional-level counseling in areas such as social service referral and casework.
• Equipment Use: Ability to operate office equipment such as computers, telephones, fax machines, calculators, printers, and photocopiers.
• Verbal Aptitude: Ability to utilize advisory data and information, including detainee records, case notes, referral recommendations, incident reports, and non-routine correspondence.
• Mathematical Aptitude: Ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
• Functional Reasoning: Ability to apply principles of rational systems, interpret instructions, and exercise independent judgment to adapt methods and standards.
• Situational Reasoning: Ability to evaluate information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria.

Working Conditions

• Environmental Factors: Work is normally performed in an office environment with limited exposure to disease or irate individuals.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to lift files and office materials up to twenty pounds.
• Sensory Requirements: Ability to recognize similarities or differences in shapes and sounds to communicate clearly with detainees and others.

Benefits

• City residents who pass the examination and meet eligibility requirements receive a five-point preference on a scale of 100. An additional one-point preference is added for residents with other qualifying preferences.
• Veterans may receive preference points upon submission of a DD 214 Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.