Correctional Program Specialist - 20021969

Who We Are… 
Guided by a single mission “To reduce recidivism among those we touch,” the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction believes that everyone is capable of positive change. Our staff embrace these core values and serves as role models for pro-social behavior conveying an attitude of dignity and respect in the treatment of others. 
 
What We Do… 
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction has been tasked with front line crime reduction through rehabilitative treatment and programming efforts provided in a safe, secure and humane correctional environment and effective community supervision. Our goal is to protect the public through helping individuals turn away from crime and become productive, contributing members of our communities, ensuring a safer Ohio for all Ohioans now and in the future. 
 
To learn more about our agency, please visit our website at www.drc.ohio.gov 
 
Are You Ready? 
We are thrilled to see that you are interested in beginning your career with the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction! Without a doubt, this will be the most rewarding and meaningful work you’ll ever find with a work family that is second to none! 

This is an internal posting. Only ODRC employees will be considered. 

What You’Ll Do:

This position works under general supervision and requires working knowledge of correctional social programs and program techniques.

•    Completes risk assessments and case planning utilizing ORAS (Ohio Risk Assessment System), OnBase and DOTS Portal for assigned caseload.
•    Plans and conducts unit programming (social and rehabilitative) for incarcerated persons.
•    Assesses programming efforts of participants upon completion.
•    Interviews inmates for inclusion in programs.
•    Makes appropriate referrals for programs and services within the institution.
•    Coordinates activities with volunteers and/or community service providers.
•    Maintains records of incarcerated people’s program participation.
•    Communicates with stakeholders regarding incarcerated people’s status and program progress.
•    Provides direct contact services for incarcerated persons assigned to a specific living unit and caseload.
•    Writes reports and correlates data as needed to include release planning, parole board packets and classification.
•    Approves or refers visitation applications and collects personal and family information.
•    Responds to kites at the unit level.
•    Assists in the administration of orientation programs for incarcerated persons in the unit.
•    Coordinates and arranges for outside agencies and community service providers to augment existing institutional programming and services [e.g., OBB (Ohio Benefits Bank), VA (Veterans Administration) and ODJFS (Ohio Department of Job and Family Services)].
•    Responds to correspondence from community agencies, families, and public inquiries.
•    Obtains release of information reports when required for outside agencies.
•    Monitors student interns and volunteers in the absence of the unit manager.
•    Serves on various institutional committees (e.g., Classification, Rules Infraction Board).
•    Directs the unit as assigned in the absence of the unit manager.
•    Performs other related duties as assigned.
•    Attends meetings and trainings.

A minimum of 76 hours of unit management coverage per week per unit, will be required from unit staff, excluding secretaries and unit officers, to include late nights and weekends. In order to achieve 76 hours of coverage, the Unit Team, when developing proposed schedules, must stay within the following guidelines:   
•    There should be at least 13 hours of unit coverage Monday through Thursday
•    There should be at least 8 hours of coverage Friday through Sunday
•    Schedules for week day coverage (Monday-Thursday) should not begin before 7:00 AM or end before 8:00 PM
•    Schedules for weekend coverage (Friday through Sunday) should not begin before 7:00 AM or end before 3:00 PM
•    There will be no unit coverage provided on holidays

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

18 mos. exp in social or behavioral science or criminal justice or human services; 6 mos. exp in one or more of the following: report writing, record keeping, interviewing, counseling or contact with social service agencies.

-Or completion of associate core program in social or behavioral science or criminal justice or human services; 6 mos. exp in one or more of the following: report writing, record keeping, interviewing, counseling or contact with social service agencies.

-Or completion of undergraduate core program in social or behavioral science or criminal justice or human services.

-Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.

Job Skills: Counseling and Rehabilitation, Social Services, Risk Assissment, Direct Support/Direct Care, Investigation, Technical Documentation, Collaboration, Critical Thinking, Customer Focus, Time Management, Establishing Relationships

• Application Procedures: 
• In order to be considered for this position, you must apply on-line through this posting website.  (We no longer accept paper applications.) 
• When completing your on-line Ohio Civil Service Application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined on this job posting. 
• We cannot give you credit for your qualifications, experience, education and training in the job selection process if you do not provide it in your on-line application.
• You can check the status of your application by signing into your profile on this website.
• We will communicate with you through the email you provided in your profile and job application.  Be sure to check your email often.

If you require a reasonable accommodation for the application process, please contact the Human Resources Office so proper arrangements can be made. Otherwise, you will be given specific instructions on requesting an accommodation if you are invited to an assessment and/or interview.

The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction is a tobacco-free workplace.

Pre-Employment Drug Testing:
All final applicants tentatively selected for this position will be required to submit to urinalysis to test for illegal drug use prior to appointments. Testing will also be performed for the presence of marijuana. An applicant with a positive test shall not be offered employment unless the applicant submits medical documentation of legally prescribed medications or a recommendation for medical marijuana.

Pre-Employment Background Investigation:
The final applicant selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check.  An individual assessment of an applicant’s prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.
The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction is prohibited from hiring:
 

• Individuals under a federal or state weapons disability if the position requires firearms certification/recertification and use;
• Individuals who have engaged in sexual abuse in a prison or other confinement facility; have been civilly or administratively adjudicated, or convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, implied threats of force, or if the victim did not or was unable to consent; 
• Individuals convicted of soliciting or providing support for an act of terrorism, terrorism, or money laundering to support terrorism; 
• Individuals who have been convicted of or pled guilty to a felony where a direct correlation exists between the position and prior criminal behavior.  

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.