Transitional Case Manager (RCMC)

Location: Rapid City (RCMC) – Department of Corrections
Pay: $25.69 to $33.00 per hour, depending on experience
Schedule: Full-time, 40 hours per week

About the role

Assists offenders with community transition identified with a higher need for case management throughout the transition process. The Transitional Case Manager aids in developing release plans, such as housing assistance and program facilitation. They assist in eliminating reentry barriers by coordinating with Transitional Behavioral Health staff, Reentry Coach, and Transitional Parole Agent for appropriate interventions.

Responsibilities

• Conduct assessments to identify the needs of offenders in the transition process, with particular attention to the ORAS.
• Develop release plans that meet the individual needs of offenders.
• Work closely with unit case managers to identify risks with all parts of the release plan and brainstorm efficient release planning with the transitional team through the transitional meeting process.
• Connect offenders with community resources, such as housing, employment, and healthcare, to support their transition.
• Provide support to offenders to address mental health and substance use issues.
• Collaborate with Transitional Behavioral Health staff on all parts of the transitional process, ensuring components of the Reentry Case plan are met before release and finding a suitable placement.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records of offender progress and services provided.
• Act as the collection point for offender identifications and prepare a release folder for every offender upon release.
• Maintain a caseload of offenders identified to the reentry program and up to twelve months from release.
• Conduct regular follow-ups with offenders and provide ongoing support.
• Become proficient with the transitional checklist and ensure case management is completed in all portions.
• Facilitate Transitional Team meetings for assigned facilities.
• Become trained and certified as a Thinking for a Change (T4C) Facilitator.
• Conduct T4C, WORD, PREP, or Moving On facilitation of two concurrent groups (programming may change over time).
• Make referrals on inmate cases to various departments, agencies, or Department of Corrections programs when immediate needs must be addressed before completion of their initial transition plan.
• Maintain a community resource database that provides unit management staff information about community providers throughout the state.
• Assist offenders with assistance applications.
• Help offenders obtain vital documentation (state IDs, birth certificates, etc.).
• Process and set offender releases for assigned facilities.
• Work inside a prison facility, interacting with offenders.

Requirements

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Knowledge of community resources and services; individual program directives, custody classification, and community transition planning; community agencies and providers; program facilitation; offender programs and Department of Corrections philosophy.
• Ability to apply various interview techniques; maintain confidentiality; work independently and as part of a team; motivate inmates to participate actively in community transition; communicate information clearly and concisely; aggressively pursue relationships with community agencies; effectively manage a large caseload of inmates; employ effective positive persuasion techniques to obtain desired outcomes; organize multiple activities and meet deadlines.

Additional Requirements

• Attach a cover letter and resume to be considered.
• Eligible for Veterans’ Preference per ARSD 55:10:02:08.
• Successful applicant(s) will be required to undergo a background investigation. An arrest/conviction record will not necessarily bar employment.
• Successful applicant(s) will undergo an abuse and neglect screening.
• Offers of employment are conditional upon successful completion of a drug screening.
• Must verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The State of South Dakota uses E-Verify for employment eligibility verification.

Benefits

• $0 premium employee health insurance option.
• Eleven paid holidays.
• Generous vacation and sick leave accrual.
• Dental, vision, and other insurance options.
• Retirement benefits (Class A retirement under SDRS).