Parole Program Specialist (20022778)

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!

What You’ll Do:

• Requires considerable knowledge of parole and agency /or probation services, programs, and methods and procedures and thorough knowledge of reentry programming
• Serves as a parole program specialist and helps facilitate reintegration for individuals returning to the community, under direction of the Office of Reentry
• Connects individuals with communities, programs, and resources
• Staffs cases with ODRC staff to make proper referrals to service providers regarding recommendations
• Electronically documents contacts and interventions as necessary
• Assists Regional Administrator and Regional Reentry Administrator in forming partnerships among Adult Parole Authority, correctional institutions, and community partners
• Coordinates and facilitates video in reach process
• Coordinates community-based family engagement events
• Coordinate and facilitate pre-release activities as needed or requested
• Maintains communication with Adult Parole Authority and institutional Unit Management Chiefs and/or other designated staff to exchange information about reentry initiatives, programming delivery, continuity of care issues, and release planning and housing
• Guides and/or assists individuals in attainment of potential state and federal benefits to increase opportunities for successful reentry
• Assists during violations/sanction process as appropriate
• Responds to JPAY/GTL/KITE inquiries in a timely manner
• Gathers pertinent information regarding the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) to disseminate to community organizations to assist in the development of reentry services
• Establishes and maintains up to date community resources and information
• Provides minimal support and/or training to community entities regarding Citizen Circles and coalitions
• Participates in workgroups, committees, or task forces to identify and resolve problems and to improve delivery of services to staff and individuals
• Research information and collects data to facilitate decision making
• Collects information and prepares reports as required
• Implements agency directives as directed
• Responds both verbally and in writing to questions and/or concerns
• Attend staff meetings, training sessions and conferences
• Participates in the screening and interviewing process for regional parole staff
• Coordinates and/or facilitates community-based reentry approved programs
• Extensive travel throughout Ohio

What’s in it for you:

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

• Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the available Ohio Med plans.

Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance

• Dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums are free after completed eligibility period. Length of eligibility period is dependent on union representation.

Time Away From Work and Work/Life Balance

• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth/Adoption leave

Employee Development Funds

• The State of Ohio offers a variety of educational and professional development funding that varies based on whether you are a union-exempt employee or a union-represented employee.

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

• OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees. The employee contributes 10% of their salary towards their retirement. The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee’s salary. Visit the OPERS website for more information.

Deferred Compensation

• The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.

Technical Skills: Communications, Customer Service, Programming, Social Services, Training
Professional Skills: Public Speaking, Collaboration, Organizing and Planning, Establishing Relationships, Strategic Thinking

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.

Knowledge of speech or effective oral & written communication techniques; agency policies, procedures &/or regulations governing parole, probation & client related activities*; public relations; human relations; EEO, Affirmative Action policies; labor relations; employee training & development; personnel policies & procedures; social work interviewing principles; project/program management; supervisory principles/techniques; counseling; sociology (e.g., sociological aspects of deviance, criminal justice, penology, control & prevention of crime delinquency, basic criminology); social work (e.g., process of rehabilitation); psychology (e.g., educational & vocational appraisal, counseling psychology). Ability to deal with abstract variables & determine specific action; deal with complex problems requiring crisis intervention & resolution; write instructions regarding client programs; gather, collate & classify information about data, people or things; develop good rapport with inmates &/or clients; prepare & deliver speeches before specialized audiences & general public; handle sensitive inquiries or communications with officials & general public; define problems, collect data, establish facts & draw valid conclusions; develop complex reports & position papers; establish friendly atmosphere as supervisor; direct parole & probation field services operations &/or community correctional programs.

(*)Developed after employment.

Helpful Tips

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.

You Also Need to Know

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

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

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. (example: individuals convicted of a felony involving fraud, deceit, or theft from holding a position that has substantial management or control over the property of a state agency.)