OFFENDER EMPLOYMENT SPECIALIST
GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES:
Develops job opportunities for offenders under supervision and oversees their placement in positions in the community. Assists offenders with job seeking and retention. Performs related work as required.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS:
An Offender Employment Specialist is responsible for assessing interests, aptitudes and barriers of offenders and developing an employment plan in addition to placing them in appropriate jobs in the community. The work also involves the counseling of offenders during job search periods and after employment with a view toward instructing them in proper appearance, grooming/hygiene, and behavior while job seeking and after employment is obtained. Incumbents are also responsible for guiding offenders under supervision towards employment situations that match the offender’s employment plan. The Specialist maintains communication with the workplace, the offender and correctional staff to assist in employment retention and intervention. Acts as a liaison between the offender, the employer and the Department. The work is performed under the general direction of a Residential Manager or other supervisor.
Incumbents will possess or will obtain the OES (Offender Employment Specialist) certification during the first six months in this class.
EXAMPLES OF WORK: (illustrative only)
- Administers and interprets employability assessments, interest inventories and aptitude vocational or educational tests in relation to career development needs of the client.
- Provides instruction to clients on such topics as: barriers to client employment, resume writing, job search, interviewing techniques, work-related behavior and attitudes, and assertiveness.
- Assists clients with personal adjustment to education, training, job or career placements.
- Applies skills to assist clients in career and education decisions.
- Helps clients modify attitudes and patterns of behavior that interfere with job placement and retention.
- Interviews clients to determine placement suitability for specific occupations or career paths and helps to create client-driven advancement plans.
- Researches jobs, industry requirements and worker characteristics to determine job functions and worker traits.
- Promotes and develops OJT training opportunities for clients.
- Instructs clients in resume writing, job search and interviewing techniques.
- Conducts events (job fairs) that bring employers into contact with groups of offenders.
- Documents employment data on each client by using ICON.
- Assists clients in determining vocational strengths and weaknesses and in determining occupational interests and direction.
- Maintains pool of job-ready clients for spot and temporary employment. Verifies employment of clients and follows up as appropriate.
- Receives and posts incoming job orders and other job announcements.
- Compiles, prepares, and disseminates monthly statistical reports required by the Department regarding employment, school, training activities, and other areas.
- Maintains contact with Probation/Parole Officers regarding client progress and/or activities through written follow-up and/or oral reports when appropriate.
DESIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Some knowledge of job development and placement techniques.
- Ability to use communication skills to create an environment in which clients can receive assistance with job placement and career planning.
- Ability to provide instruction to groups and to effectively lead them in activities.
- Thorough knowledge of at least two theories that can be used to assist offenders with job choice, career planning and transition.
- Knowledge of a variety of kinds of assessment tools and techniques that can be used with offenders.
- Thorough knowledge of the employment market in the assigned district. Good general knowledge of underlying principles and practices of community corrections operations and/or the ability to readily acquire such knowledge.
- Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with clients, business representatives, employees, and the general public.
- Ability to keep records and make reports.
- Thorough knowledge of principles related to the counseling of clients for placement purposes.
- Ability to deliver talks before lay and professional groups.
- Ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university; or
Two years of college and two years of human services experience; or
Satisfactory completion of 18 months experience as a Probation/Parole Officer I; or
18 months experience in the workforce development field.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT:
Ability to travel to various work sites, possession of or ability to obtain a valid driver’s license, and ability to be insured under the district’s auto insurance coverage.
Must satisfactorily complete 32 hours of Offender Employment Specialist classroom training within the first six months of employment in the Offender Specialist class.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Ability to communicate with the offender population, criminal justice and related agency staff, and other involved parties in individual and group settings.
- Ability to assess offender characteristics and circumstances and organize internal as well as external resources to address offender risk management and treatment plans.
- Ability to document observations, assessments and other related information in offender case files within specified time frames.
- Ability to comprehend critical information and complex issues to make decisions within established policy guidelines, time frames and legal parameters.
- Ability to travel to various work sites and participate in various work activities such as conducting available chemical substance use tests, court/administrative hearings and other related community functions, as required by the duties of the position.
- Ability to utilize available technology in the performance of job duties.