Case Worker/Social Worker

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Under general supervision, provides inmates with casework services and referrals to education and program service opportunities available in the Department and the surrounding communities;
2. 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); and
3. Performs related duties as assigned. 

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

1. At the Jail, works under the general supervision of the Director of Social Services, the Substance Abuse Program Supervisor, or the Social Services Supervisor.
2. At the House of Correction, works under the general supervision of the Director of Social Services, the Substance Abuse Program Supervisor, Women's Program Supervisor, or Social Services Supervisors. 

          
SUPERVISION EXERCISED: 
                 None
 
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 
    1. Provides casework services to inmates. 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.
    2. Prepares inmates and reports for the classification process through individual interviews. Evaluates inmates regarding eligibility
        and suitability for movement to lower security.
    3. 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. Assists inmates in their post-release plans relative to housing, employment,
        education, recovery and medical services available in the community.
    4. Facilitates Life Skills, Recovery and Violence Prevention groups as directed.  Assists in the supervision of volunteer treatment
        facilitators and works as part of a clinical/recovery team in the housing unit where assigned.
    5. Prepares case notes and maintains accurate and up to date records on all inmates assigned to his/her caseload.
    6. Flexibility and ability to learn and perform new duties and skills as assigned.
    7. Performs such duties as the Sheriff or designee may assign from time to time.

QUALIFICATIONS:
    1. Considerable knowledge of community resources and programs available to assist inmates.
    2. Sensitivity to individual, emotional and behavioral patterns and the impact of cultural, racial, educational and economic factors
        in society.
    3. Working knowledge of institutional, educational, classification and therapeutic processes required.
    4. 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.
    5. Working knowledge of the bail process, court process and sentencing procedures is preferred.
    6. 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