CORRECTIONAL SERVICES COUNSELOR

This is professional work in the selection, placement, counseling and oversight of inmates assigned to correctional programs. The work requires knowledge of counseling principles, theories, practices and techniques usually gained through formal education and work experience. Contacts require skills in understanding and influencing others and are important in conducting interviews, obtaining social histories, and placing of individuals into programs. The work is performed following substantially diversified procedures and specialized standards; however, the incumbent has latitude to consider which procedures to follow and in what sequence to achieve the required job results. The counseling work involves differing situations requiring the use of judgment in searching for solutions or new applications within one's own experience. The work is performed in a correctional facility environment, where risks and hazards are generally known, predictable, and controllable; however, control of situations is occasionally limited due to working with inmates. Operates personal computers, copiers, and other standard office equipment. The physical demands of the work are minimal. The work is performed under limited supervision where the work assignments are subject to established procedures, practices, precedents, methods, techniques, and well-defined policies; the worker plans and organizes the work and determines own priorities; and the work is reviewed, usually after the fact, in terms of quality, volume, timeliness, and adherence to established methods, standards, and policies.

• Conducts interviews with inmates applying for admission into correctional programs including Work Furlough, Home Detention, Weekend Commitments, Community Service, Adult Basic Education, and Substance Abuse. 
• Investigates applicants' backgrounds, including criminal histories, economic needs, employment histories and institutional adjustments, to determine eligibility for programs. 
• Serves on committees/boards to select program participants. 
• Conducts orientations for new participants on program rules, policies and procedures. 
• Completes necessary information forms for participants' file folders. 
• Counsels participants to establish vocational, personal adjustment and educational goals. 
• Assists participants with job development, educational and other adjustment planning. 
• Arranges job interviews for program participants and approves potential employment, working conditions, methods of transportation and work schedules. 
• Conducts and/or coordinates training programs for program participants. 
• Reports and investigates disciplinary matters concerning program participants. 
• Monitors participants' progress in completing treatment plans and maintains contact with other community agencies and employers to coordinate referrals. 
• Provides information regarding programs to attorneys, employers, families, probation officers, community groups and other agencies. 
• Assists in planning correctional programs. 
• Assembles, analyzes and interprets data for program evaluations. 
• Demonstrates proficiency in the City of Jacksonville’s competencies. 
• Performs related work as required.

• Knowledge of the criminal justice system including the rights of inmates. 
• Knowledge of public and private social-service agencies and resources in the community. 
• Knowledge of research methodology. 
• Knowledge of counseling principles, theories, practices, and techniques. 
• Skill in conducting interviews and counseling sessions. 
• Ability to apply interviewing, testing and counseling techniques. 
• Ability to identify common behavior disorders and to relate them to actions or characteristics of inmates. 
• Ability to gather, interpret, and evaluate social history and related data. 
• Ability to apply institutional and program policies. 
• Ability to prepare reports. Ability to communicate effectively. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.

• Five year combination of education and/or experience in job placement, job development, vocational counseling or a related field.
• A Bachelors' Degree from an accredited institution with a major in counseling, criminal justice, sociology, psychology, or a related social science field with one year of the specified experience is preferred.

• The probationary period for this class is six months.  
• This classification performs safety-sensitive functions and is subject to pre-employment, random and other drug/alcohol testing programs as set forth in the City of Jacksonville's Drug Free Workplace Policy (0401).