Correctional Specialist III (Work Release Coordinator), Grade 24

The Work Release Coordinator (WRC) position at the Pre-Release and Reentry Services (PRRS) Division directly supports the mission of PRRS to assist soon-to-be released offenders reintegrate into society by preparing and assisting them find employment shortly after their arrival into the program and by developing job opportunities for them to pursue. This front-line position works with PRRS participants individually, and as a group, to provide vocational guidance, job readiness and retention training, and job search skills. Many of these services are provided in the Pre-Release Center’s Job and Career Development Resource Center. In conjunction with other Work Release Coordinators, the position will play a key role in overseeing the appropriate usage of the Center by Residents and ensuring that the Center remains fully functional and updated with the latest resources.

The Work Release Coordinators will jointly coordinate a range of activities to assist program participants find and secure jobs. While program participants are largely responsible for identifying job position openings for themselves with the resources provided by PRRS, the WRC position ensures that potential jobs are legitimate and appropriate for individuals.

Work Release Coordinators must possess excellent communication and presentation skills as daily they engage community employers and providers of service and must effectively represent the program to encourage the hiring or PRRS participants. Additionally, they must have advanced knowledge of the local labor market and the workforce development systems that include one-stop career centers, colleges, training schools, union apprentice programs, and other job search/training resources.

Candidates for the position should demonstrate a familiarity with evidenced-based research and best practices in assisting individuals with criminal records find and secure jobs. They must be knowledgeable about local, state and Federal laws and regulations that might preclude opportunities for PRRS program participants due to criminal histories and must be up to date with programs that provide incentives for employers to hire such individuals.

The Work Release Coordinator position reports to the Reentry Services Manager and works closely with other WRCs and Case Managers to develop coordinated and structured regimens of work, treatment, education, and family support for PRRS participants. They are responsible for coordinating appropriate work schedules for program participants, confirming that participants are abiding by these schedules, and approving schedule adjustments and overtime requests from employers.

The WRC position works from Monday through Friday. Four of these days, the position works 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and the fifth day they work 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Generally, this position is covered by Employees’ Retirement System, Group JK. If the successful candidate is an internal employee, retirement plan coverage will be determined at the time the job offer is made.

Applicants are encouraged to carefully read substance abuse disqualification for this position prior to applying. Please copy and paste the following link into a new window to view and read this information:
http://www.dsd.state.md.us/comar/getfile.aspx?file=12.10.01.24.htm

Prior to appointment, all applicants must successfully complete a comprehensive background investigation, psychological evaluation, medical examination and drug/alcohol screen.

Additional Employment Information

OHR reviews the minimum qualifications of all applicants, irrespective of whether the candidate has previously been found to have met the minimum requirements for the job or been temporarily promoted to the same position. This evaluation is based
solely
on the information contained in the application/resume submitted for this specific position/IRC.

Montgomery County Government is an equal opportunity employer, committed to workforce diversity. Accordingly, as it relates to employment opportunities, the County will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities, in accordance with the law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email to
special.accommodations@montgomerycountymd.gov
. Individual determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made in accordance with all applicable laws.

Montgomery County Government also provides hiring preference to certain categories of veterans and veterans/persons with a disability. For more information and to claim employment preference, please refer to the Careers webpage on
Hiring Preference
.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience:
Three (3) years of experience in community based corrections or in other human services work emphasizing treatment/counseling, at least two of which must be equivalent to that of a Correctional Specialist II.

Education:
Possession of a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

Equivalency:
Excess education may be substituted for required experience, but excess experience may not be substituted for the Bachelor’s degree, as the educational requirement is stipulated by the Maryland State Training Commission.

LICENSE:
None.

CITIZENSHIP AND AGE:

Individuals appointed to this position must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age on the date of appointment, and be either a citizen of the United States or resident alien.

Preferred Criteria

Resume must include information specific to the preferred criteria listed below. Make sure that your resume references your knowledge, skills, and abilities as they relate to the preferred criteria. Ideally, the preferred criteria should be addressed in a separate section in your resume.
The system only allows for one document to be submitted so your preferred criteria must be part of the resume.

1.
Experience providing reentry services to court-involved population;

2.
Experience assisting a court-involved population with employment, including assessment and job readiness support and training.

3.
Experience in job development strategies using the regions workforce development system, such as knowledge of the local labor market and local stakeholders.

4.
Demonstrated experience in human relations to effectively work with persons with histories of antisocial behavior including persons charged with or convicted or serious crimes.

5.
Demonstrated experience in working effectively with the community as an advocate for clients and as a respected representative of the agency.

If selected for consideration for this position, you may be required to provide evidence that you possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities indicated on your resume.

All applicants will be reviewed by OHR to determine whether or not they meet minimum qualifications for the position.
All applicants who meet minimum qualifications will be reviewed and rated by subject matter experts based on the Preferred Criteria.
Based on the results of Preferred Criteria evaluation, applicants will be rated and placed on the Eligible List as either “Qualified” or “Well Qualified.” The highest rated applicants will be placed on the Eligible List and may be considered for interview. Employees meeting minimum qualifications who are the same grade will be placed on Eligible List as a “Lateral Transfer” candidate and may be considered for interview.
Note:
In the event there are 10 or fewer minimally qualified candidates, all will be placed on the Eligible List as Qualified and Hiring Managers will be required to interview a minimum of five candidates. For “seniority” jobs (as shown in Article 8), resumes will be reviewed and rated by subject matter experts based on the Preferred Criteria.

Minimum Salary

59367

Maximum Salary

98402

Currency

USD