Correctional Counselor

About the role

Iowa Medical and Classification Center (IMCC) serves as the reception and classification center for all those entering the adult male institutional corrections system. IMCC operates a medium security general population unit and the only licensed forensic psychiatric hospital in the state, providing inpatient psychiatric and evaluation services to non-adjudicated patients.

Responsibilities

• Provides individual case management and group facilitation in areas of social, behavioral, educational, vocational, and related program planning.
• Develops and implements specific plans and goals using evidence-based practices for rehabilitation and gradual reintegration into the community.
• Reviews misconduct reports and recommends incarcerated individuals for release based on behavior, attitude, and related factors.
• Ensures compliance with institutional policies regarding committee functions, such as disciplinary, classification, and pre-parole classification meetings.
• Interacts with incarcerated individuals using behavioral techniques to assist in the development of problem-solving skills, facilitating behavior change, and preparing them for successful community reentry.
• Assists in the development of attitudes and skills necessary for successful adaptation to a pro-social lifestyle back in the community.
• Reports and documents observations and communications with co-workers and other treatment staff to enhance an effective team approach.
• Consults with other professional staff members to structure rehabilitative services and activities for incarcerated individuals with strong counseling and guidance needs.
• Attends and leads training classes and seminars; provides Training of Trainers in programs and continuous quality improvement to other staff as designated.

Requirements

• Four years of full-time work experience in providing individual and group guidance and related counseling services in the areas of social, behavioral, educational, vocational, and related program planning.
• Four years of education and/or full-time experience, where thirty semester hours of accredited college or university coursework in any field equals one year of full-time experience.

Qualifications

• Knowledge and understanding of core correctional practices.
• Ability to interact with incarcerated individuals using behavioral techniques to assist in the development of problem-solving skills, facilitating behavior change, and preparing them for successful community reentry.
• Ability to communicate and document observations to ensure effective case management and consistent application of change principles.
• Ability to develop treatment plans that require special emphasis and change to increase the possibility of reaching a desired level of adjustment and orientation.

Skills

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a multi-disciplinary team.
• Proficiency in using computer systems for managing and inputting data.

Benefits

The State of Iowa participates in E-Verify, a federal program that helps employers confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. Employees may be required to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) and endorsements within a period of time after hire.