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The Drug & Alcohol (D&A) Specialist position will provide drug and alcohol activities to incarcerated individuals within Lancaster County Prison (LCP) to include the Work Release program. In addition, this position will act as the liaison with the Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas, Adult Probation and Parole Services (APPS), the Lancaster Drug & Alcohol Commission and a variety of other agencies to provide drug & alcohol education and basic counseling services to inmates. This position will be responsible for coordinating D&A groups within the institution, assessments and referrals to in/outpatient services upon release. The D&A Specialist position will work closely with security and treatment departments to provide a variety of counseling/case management services to improve services and use information gleaned from inmates to address issues and assist in the classification process to ensure inmates are classified in a safe and appropriate manner.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
1. Ability to build relationships, share information and work cooperatively with a variety of organizations with the goal of providing drug & alcohol and basic counseling services to inmates and those reentering their communities.
2. Prepare and submit written inmate assessments to Lancaster County Court of Common Pleas, Adult Probation and Parole Services (APPS), the Lancaster Drug & Alcohol Commission and a variety of other agencies.
3. Coordinate, moderate and supervise inmate group D&A meetings within Prison, following guidelines of established practices and institutional security.
4. Serve as Prison contact person for outside D&A services including, but not limited to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA); ensure community volunteer rosters are accurately maintained.
5. Coordinate post-release treatment with appropriate County agencies based on funding availability.
6. Be familiar with community resources to include eligibility criteria and assist service providers in the orientation/evaluation process of inmates.
7. Work with prison administration and others to establish program goals; maintain computerized tracking tools to measure success of both internal and external D&A programming.
8. Assist, as directed, using motivational interviewing techniques to draft reports related to inmate issues while maintaining the integrity of any/all investigations.
9. Complete all required follow up activities to include written reports when Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) related incidents are identified. Forward all documentation to appropriate staff and administration.
10. Use basic case management/counseling techniques to assist inmates during the intake and orientation process. Assist inmates with problem resolution.
11. Perform written assessment of those on assigned caseload as directed.
12. Follow all prison safety and security procedures. Maintain institutional security and rehabilitative standards through classification guidelines.
13. Assist inmates with issues outside the institution that influence incarceration to include serving as liaison between inmates and a wide range of community volunteer programming and outside agencies such as Probation & Parole, Children & Youth, Public Defenders, private attorneys, etc.
14. Perform intake evaluations using established format and forward information concerning mental health, medical, drug & alcohol, or security issues to appropriate departments.
15. Encourage inmates on assigned caseload to participate in institutional and community based self-improvement programs for the purpose of Re-entry to community.
16. Provide Cognitive Based Training (CBT) instruction for programming related to treatment and/or re entry to increase inmate’s success when returning to the community.
17. Assist classification chairperson with classification process and related paperwork.
18. Review and maintain accurate files of inmate behavioral history and update inmate behavioral, disciplinary, and program records using in-house computerized inmate management system.
19. Review special status sheets, disciplinary board actions, and other reports as they pertain to housing assignments.
OTHER SPECIFIC TASKS OR DUTIES
1. Ability to use case management/counseling techniques to assist inmates with problem resolution.
2. Extensive interaction with inmate population required.
3. Assist other departments by supervising/coordinating additional programs as needed.
4. Attend all mandatory training (CPR, Suicide Prevention, etc.)
5. Serve as backup to other Inmate Services Department positions when vacancies occur due to vacation or medical leave.
6. Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor. The percentage of time spent on essential duties will vary as the needs of the job require.
7. Must be able to escort inmates to all areas of the prison when required.
8. Comprehensive report writing skills required.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
1. A bachelor’s degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice or a field directly related to criminal corrections; OR
2. A bachelor’s degree which includes or is supplemented by 12 college credits in criminology, criminal justice, sociology, social welfare, psychology, human services or other related behavioral/social sciences and one year of relevant professional casework/counseling experience with a public or private social services provider; OR,
3. Any equivalent combination of education, experience and training, equaling five 5 years, which includes 12 college credits in criminology, criminal justice, sociology, social welfare, psychology, human services or other related behavioral/social sciences that provides the required knowledge, skills and ability to perform essential functions of this job.
4. In addition to the above, one (1) year or more of experience working in the correctional/criminal justice system is preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
1. Ability to work under normal conditions of the job.
2. Does not pose a direct threat to the health and safety of the individual or others in the workplace.
3. Ability to work with minimum supervision.
4. Ability to quickly learn new skills as required.
5. Other qualifications to the above that may be found acceptable and appropriate.
6. Use of a computer using software such as Offender Management System (OMS), Microsoft Office and WordPerfect to complete required daily responsibilities. .
REQUIRED LICENSES/CERTIFICATIONS/CLEARANCES
Current Certified Alcohol & Drug Counselor (CADC) preferred.
Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) background check.
Pre-employment drug screening.
Criminal background checks.
Pennsylvania Childline clearance.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT
1. Must be able to sit for long periods throughout the day, with intermittent periods of standing, walking, bending, twisting and reaching as necessary to carry out job duties, throughout a correctional high rise facility.
2. Dexterity requirements range from simple to coordinated movements of fingers/hands; feet/legs; and torso as necessary to carry out job duties.
3. Medium work with occasional lifting/carrying of objects with a maximum weight of 25 pounds.
4. Must be able to cope with the physical, mental and emotional stress of the job.
5. Must be able to pay close attention to details and concentrate on work.
6. Maintain emotional stability during stressful situations.
7. Work is primarily sedentary in nature, no special demands are required.
8. Must be able to work in an environment that is not climate controlled.
9. Must be comfortable working with a diverse inmate population.