Careers >> Community Corrections Agent
Community Corrections Agent
Summary
Title:Community Corrections Agent
ID:1134
Position Type:Full-time
Pay Grade:Grade 9 - Hourly $31.41 - $43.30, starting wage DOQ (open range scale)
Closing Date:Open Until Filled
Description

Job Summary

Provide investigative services to the court/releasing authority and supervisory and/or referral services to offenders in order to protect public safety and facilitate law-abiding behavior. Assist individuals in the areas of client rehabilitation efforts including chemical health, anger management, cognitive-behavioral skills, and mental health.

It is important to note that corrections agents do not have to know all that is in this description nor is this description inclusive of all possible duties. This is an example of what duties may be performed in order to show level of responsibilities.


Supervision Received

Employees working in this job class work under general supervision and usually receive some instruction with respect to details of most assignments, but are free to develop their own work sequences within established procedures, methods, and policies. They are often physically removed from their supervisor and are only subject to periodic supervisory checks.

 

Supervision Exercised

No formal supervisory authority.

 

Essential Functions

This position description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other essential and nonessential functions as assigned or apparent to meet the ongoing needs of the department and organization. Regular attendance and punctuality are essential requirements of this position.

 

  1. Prepare diagnostic, pre- and post-dispositional investigation reports on offenders to be used by the courts, correctional staff and releasing authority to make appropriate sentencing, case planning and releasing decisions.
  2. Complete validated and reliable risk assessments of offenders in order to determine/recommend appropriate supervision levels.
  3. Assess client needs, develop case plans, and coordinates with other agencies and professionals. Interviews clients utilizing motivational interviewing techniques to provide intervention recommendations focused on rehabilitation. Ensures referrals for services are evidence-based in corrections programming.
  4. Conduct direct service duties in the offender’s home, employment, school and/or treatment groups as applicable to case supervision. Maintain case records and documentation so they are in state/federal audit-condition ready.
  5. Investigate alleged probation and supervised release violation using interview, surveillance and search and seizure authority.
  6. Advise the Court and the Department of Corrections through written reports and expert testimony on the status of the case including violation reports, progress reports and discharges. As assigned, facilitates Cognitive-Behavioral Groups with a group of offenders and manages the statistical outcomes of the group. Cooperates and attends sex offender therapy groups as applicable for the caseload and co-facilitates groups as necessary.
  7. Presents information and training to ensure competency in current practice standards in corrections and job skills and attends training as necessary. Initiates custody of an offender who is a danger to themselves/others and/or a risk to abscond as noted by Minnesota Law and Policy Standards.
  • Performs other related duties as assigned or apparent

     

Minimum Qualifications

  • A Bachelor’s degree in Corrections, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Counseling, Counseling Psychology, Law Enforcement, Psychology, Social Work or Sociology.
  • Completed a 400 Hour Internship as a Community Corrections Agent or has equivalent experience in another state.
  • Valid Minnesota driver’s license required. Employment reference checks and a criminal background check will be performed as part of the pre-employment process.


Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required

Knowledge of:

  1. County and departmental policies, procedures, and practices.
  2. Federal, State, and local laws, rules, and regulations relevant to the work performed in this position.
  3. Interviewing techniques and skills in conducting interviews.
  4. Knowledge of the principles of human behavior dynamics.
  5. Knowledge of group dynamics and sex offender therapy.
  6. Knowledge of available community resources.
  7. Dynamics of mental illness and chemical dependence and domestic violence as they relate to correctional practices.
  8. Knowledge of computer systems including Word.
  9. Knowledge of, and sensitivity to cultural differences as related to rehabilitation of offenders.
  10. Data Privacy Rights and HIPPA requirements.

 

Skill in:

  1. Communication and interpersonal skills as applied to interaction with supervisors, staff, and the general public sufficient to exchange or convey information and to receive work direction.
  2. Typing skill sufficient to complete 60 net words per minute without errors.
  3. Skill in organizing and prioritizing work.
  4. Skill in reading, writing and speaking English proficiently.
  5. Skill in organization, time management and prioritizing work.
  6. Detecting non-verbal communication.
  7. Interviewing clients and collateral contacts.
  8. De-escalation of upset/angry clients and hostile situations.
  9. Self Defense Techniques
  10. Analytical and deductive reasoning.
  11. Assessment and coordination of offender needs/services.
  12. Collaboration of service providers.
  13. Maintaining professionalism in a variety of situations.
  14. Reacting to situations within the field and being able to maintain personal safety.
  15. Technology skills including operation of computers, copiers, scanners, cameras, field search software and recording equipment.

 

Ability to:

  1. Present a positive attitude in the workplace, promote a spirit of teamwork and cooperation, and be able to treat others with respect, honesty, and consideration.
  2. Maintain confidentiality.
  3. Communicate with diverse populations in order to effectively supervise the conditions of the Court and releasing authority in a manner focused to reduce recidivism.
  4. Remain objective and make sound decisions.
  5. Testify in Court including under hostile cross examination.
  6. Motivate clients toward socially acceptable decision making focused on their rehabilitation.
  7. Establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, the Court, Law Enforcement, schools and the public to ensure public safety and efficiency.
  8. Analyze complex situations and evaluate for potential improvement and de-escalate hostile situations when necessary.
  9. Manage time productively, meet deadlines and comply with all laws in an effort to reduce offender recidivism.
  10. Effectively apply casework knowledge and skills to maximize the client’s benefit.
  11. Establish and maintain accurate and systematic records, access, navigate and manage the complex computer systems.
  12. Express ideas clearly.
  13. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
  14. Work independently, and make critical decisions in the field with limited direction.
  15. Travel and work non-traditional hours as necessary to be effective in the position.
  16. Assess possible problems during visitations/client appointments and take appropriate actions.
  17. Maintain composure under stressful situations.
  18. Read and interpret court orders, legal documents and state statutes.


Language Skills
High Level Skills - Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial situations of clients, legal documents and national crime database criminal history reports. Ability to respond to common inquiries and complaints from clients, their families, regulatory agencies, the Court, County Attorney’s Office, or members of the community. Ability to write reports and correspondence for the Court and Hearings and Release Unit. Ability to justify warrants to the releasing authority.

 

Mathematical Skills

Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

 

Reasoning Skills

Very High Skills – Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of complex instructions and/or recognition of clients

 

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should be proficient at using assigned software which may include:

County Payroll Software E-time, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Publisher, Access, PowerPoint, CSTS, MGA, Statewide Supervision Software, Odessey, Adobe, Internet and other job-related software.

 

Ability to Travel

Frequent travel is required to offender homes, employment, facilities/jails, prisons, foster homes, and throughout the state of Minnesota for training, meetings, staffings, court hearings and assessments/investigations.

 

Competencies

To perform the job successfully, an individual should consistently demonstrate the following competencies (definitions attached or available upon request):

Ethics, attendance/punctuality, safety and security, dependability, analytical, design, problem solving, project management, technical skills, customer service, interpersonal skills, oral communication, written communication, teamwork, leadership, business acumen, diversity, organizational support, sound judgment, motivation and change management, planning/organizing, professionalism, quality management, adaptability, critical thinking skills, initiative, and innovation.

 

Work Environment

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

While traveling and making home visits, may be exposed to a variety of situations including unclean houses, potential for walking into drug lab sites, unstable structures, dangerous dogs, cigarette and/or smoky areas, rotting garbage, sewage, disease, volatile clients, snowy/icy roads, and remote locations without cellular service.

Susceptible to worker burn-out and compassion fatigue.

 

Equipment and Tools

Computer or laptop, copier, fax, telephone (land and cellular), printer, 10-key calculator, shredder, scanner, Cat 5 network cables, USB flash drives, Kensington locks, router, signature pad, air card, digital camera, digital scales, county-owned vehicles and personal vehicle (requires proof of insurance on file).

 

Physical Activities/Requirements

Climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, carrying, use of fingers, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Must have the ability to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee performs light work, exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Working safely is a condition of employment. Aitkin County is a drug-free workplace.

 

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed by employees assigned to this job classification. This is not an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. Aitkin County reserves the right to amend and change responsibilities to meet organizational needs as necessary. This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee.

 

Reasonable Accommodation Notice

The County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

 

04/25/2017


Our Vision: We strive to be a county of safe, vibrant communities that place value on good stewardship of local resources.

Our Mission: Aitkin County’s mission is to provide outstanding service in a fiscally responsible manner through innovation and collaboration with respect for all.

Our Core Values: Collaboration, Innovation, Integrity, People-Focused, Professionalism

This opening is closed and is no longer accepting applications
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