This is counseling work interviewing, referring and aiding inmates in need of social services in the Prisons. An employee in this class interviews and screens inmates for possible drug or alcohol abuse problems and recommends and develops treatment plans. Work includes scheduling and conducting individual and group counseling session. Establishing and maintaining positive relationships with inmates, eliciting detailed personal history information and recommending appropriate courses of action are important aspects of the work. Work is performed under the supervision of a social work superior and involves conditions which can only be partially controlled.
GENERAL SPECIALTY
- Interviews inmates, and screens clients and referrals, to gather background information on family, social, education and medical life histories; determines inmate needs and problems; makes recommendations and referrals as necessary.
- Recommends treatment for inmates addicted to drug or alcohol; prepares evaluation of clients' problems; provides direction in setting short/long-term rehabilitation goals and objectives.
- Schedules and conducts individual and group counseling sessions; orients clients to the nature and scope of addictive disease treatment program (ADTP), and Prison rules and regulations guiding the program; provides insight on client's problem; educates clients in the consequences of drug or alcohol dependence; encourages clients to express their ideas and emotions; guides client discussion towards the establishment and reinforcement of behavior patterns; prepares client's case history and progress report; discusses client's problem with superior; may recommend client be discharged from the program; prepares program reports to be forwarded to the Prison and other criminal justice officials; keeps records of services provided; may discuss client problems with family and other social service workers.
- Refers inmates for job placement in a prison work program; prepares and submits recommendations for placement to the classification board and encourages inmates to participate in recommended social, educational and job training programs.
- Assists inmates in legal and court-related issues; reviews court summary sheets to explain to inmates their legal status; advises inmates in resolving social, financial, family and legal problems; contacts appropriate officials to arrange for conditional release of inmates; contacts attorneys to clear up unresolved inmate legal problems; orients and explains to inmates bail conditions and anticipated court proceedings; encourages establishment of more positive relations between and among inmates and prison staff.
- Contacts inmates' relatives and friends to attempt to resolve financial, medical, or other family problems or to engage them in treatment programs for the inmates; discusses family and inmate needs and refers family to appropriate social service agencies for aid; refers inmates to be discharged to community drug and alcohol treatment programs.
- Performs related work as required.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
KNOWLEDGE OF:
- the methods, practices and techniques of interviewing persons with social problems, and persons addicted to drugs or alcohol
- the social and psychological concomitants and factors contributing to the cause of criminal behavior and drug or alcohol addiction
- individual and group counseling methods and techniques
- the community resources available in the area of social services and the rehabilitation of drug and alcohol addicts
- case history preparation method
ABILITY TO:
- understand the behavior and attitude of persons with social and emotional problems, and persons addicted to drug or alcohol, and to deal with unusual behavior and avert hostile attitudes tactfully and effectively
- recommend and develop drug or alcohol addiction rehabilitation plans, and schedule and conduct individual and group counseling sessions
- prepare case histories and evaluations which are accurate and concise
- prepare recommendations for position appointment and encourage inmates to participate in recommended programs
- aid inmates in social services, legal and court-related issues
- present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing
- establish and maintain effective working relationships with inmates, families and associates
- speak and understand the designated non-English language for the Bilingual specialty
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE (The following statement represents the minimum training and experience standards which will be used to admit or reject applicants for tests. Applications submitted by candidates for this class will be reviewed based on training and experience requirements as approved on 7/93.)
EDUCATION
BOTH SPECIALITES
- Completion of two years of study at an accredited college or university.
AND
EXPERIENCE
- Two years of counseling experience in a program to rehabilitate drug addicts or alcoholics, one year of which has been in a correctional institution.
OR
EDUCATION
- Education equivalent to the completion of the twelfth school grade.
AND
EXPERIENCE
- Four years of counseling experience in a program to rehabilitate drug addicts or alcoholics, one year of which has been in a correctional institution.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE BILINGUAL SPECIALTY
- Sufficient training and/or experience to be able to converse effectively in the designated non-English language.
PHYSICAL AND MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS
-
Ability to physically perform the duties and to work in the environmental conditions required of a position in this
class.
PAY RANGE: EP17
Class Established:
CSC - 1/88 ; Ad Board - 2/88
Spec. Revision:
CSC - 7/93 ; Ad Board - 8/93
Spec. 5D09 was consolidated with this class:
CSC - 7/01 ; Ad Board - 9/01
CO/vp/sb
END OF JOB CLASS SPECIFICATION - 5A47