Social Worker / Caseworker

About the role

Under general supervision, this position provides inmates with casework services and referrals to education and program service opportunities available in the Department and the surrounding communities.

Provides guidance on personal, classification, recovery and general legal matters. Identifies and resolves potential problems not immediately apparent to the inmate (e.g., discharge date calculation and canteen, classification, parole, or discharge issues).

Responsibilities

• Meets with inmates on a daily basis identifying and assessing personal, classification, parole, and programmatic issues affecting their sentence and their re-entry into the community.
• Maintains daily presence in the inmate housing units.
• Prepares inmates and reports for the classification process through individual interviews.
• Evaluates inmates regarding eligibility and suitability for movement to lower security.
• Refers inmates to program and support services including but not limited to recovery meetings, religious services, life skills and educational programs, medical and legal services.
• Affords assistance to inmates in their post-release plans relative to housing, employment, education, recovery and medical services available in the community.
• Facilitates Life Skills, Recovery and Violence Prevention groups as directed.
• Affords assistance in the supervision of volunteer treatment facilitators and works as part of a clinical/recovery team in the housing unit where assigned.
• Prepares case notes and maintains accurate and up to date records on all inmates assigned to his/her caseload.

Qualifications

• Considerable knowledge of community resources and programs available to assist inmates.
• Sensitivity to individual, emotional and behavioral patterns and the impact of cultural, racial, educational and economic factors in society.
• Working knowledge of institutional, educational, classification and therapeutic processes required.
• Considerable ability to conduct large and small recovery meetings; to listen attentively and work effectively with inmates; to maintain a harmonious relationship with staff, community agencies and clients; to maintain case records according to specific guidelines; to recognize specific educational and recovery needs; to maintain case loads as assigned and to keep detailed records, logs and files.
• Working knowledge of the bail process, court process and sentencing procedures is preferred.
• Bachelor's Degree in related major preferred.
• College-level courses in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Sociology or at least one year of full-time or equivalent part-time experience as a correction officer or caseworker providing services to prisoners or ex-offenders required.
• Certified Alcohol and Drug prevention counseling certification preferred where applicable.
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and written form.
• Thorough knowledge of Department policies and procedures is preferred.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred where applicable.

Essential Functions

• Regular, punctual and predictable attendance at assigned workplace and at scheduled meetings;
• Knowledge of, compliance with, and enforcement of Department policies and procedures;
• Compliance with security procedures;
• Obeying of moderately complex oral and written orders;
• Communicating effectively both orally and in writing;
• Able to independently initiate a project, execute the necessary steps, and complete in a timely and effective manner;
• Deal calmly and effectively with stressful situations, including emergencies;
• Exercise good judgment.

Minimum Physical Requirements

• Regularly sit or stand for 8 hours;
• Lift up to 5 pounds;
• Carry up to 5 pounds;
• Climb stairs occasionally;
• Walk short distances;
• Write and type.

Additional Functions of Position

Participation in mandatory training.