Support Specialist

Great Falls Pre-Release Center•Great Falls, MT

13d•$21 - $24

About The Position

The Great Falls Pre-Release Center is a non-profit Community Corrections worksite consisting of three Counseling campuses. The campuses are minimum security and residential in nature, housing closely screened and selected for program acceptance, adult male and female felon offenders during their structured transition program for re-entry into the community. The Centers also operate a Jail Alternative program for adult male/female clients and a Community Service program involving adjudicated males and females. Provide residents and Community referrals (as applicable) with assistance which may satisfactorily prepare them for work or eventual discharge from the Center. Maintain status as a certified notary public. Serve on occasion as a point of referral for City, Justice, District, Federal courts and other agencies to place individuals who must perform Community Service or serve a Jail Alternative sentence. The Transition Center is designed as a structured pre-release program for adult male and female offenders who are within 24 months of parole eligibility or one year of discharge date. It allows residents participating in the program to re-integrate into the community while learning necessary life skills to maintain a crime-free lifestyle. The Center allows residents a period of time to establish employment and/or training, establish budgeting and money management skills, begin a savings plan, find housing and participate in counseling relevant to specific areas to aid in their transition into the community. The Transition Center has a five-phase program beginning at the orientation level. Each phase has a minimum time frame of participation with graduated levels of responsibility. The resident assumes his/her own case goals as they progress through the program. The Transition Center opened its doors as a male pre-release facility in March of 1984. At that time, the Center utilized the main floor for office space, kitchen and dining facilities, and a lounge area. the upper floor was used for living quarters. In 1990 the basement of the original facility was remodeled into office space, a conference room, TV room, hobby room and additional restroom facilities. In 1993 the Center undertook a major expansion which more than doubled the capacity and usable space in the Center. A women's program was added in October of 1996 with the purchase and renovation of building adjacent to the existing facility. In 1997 an expansion project involving the women's facility provided for an increase in service rooms and greater flexibility in programming. In 1998 the men's facility added to the wing completed in 1993 by extending that area to the South and increasing the Center by another 7500 square feet. Throughout the years, the Transition Center has taken pride in its visual improvements to the building and grounds. Landscaping efforts are ongoing as we endeavor to become an appealing addition to the neighborhood.

Requirements

High School graduate.
Three years’ experience in work involving general human services programs for the adult public or two years’ experience in work involving human services programs for adult felons is preferred.
Skills in organization and time management activities.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with local, state and federal officials and other community-based agencies.
Effective verbal and written communication.

Responsibilities

Assist residents in obtaining ID cards such as Social Security Card, valid driver’s license or other legal documentation as necessary for employment. Assist with legal papers such as court documentation, child support or establishing necessary credentials for obtaining rental property or complying with court ordered community service.
Conduct intake and enroll clients into Job Development Program as required by their Probation and Parole Officer and prepare them for appropriate Job Search and monitor progress.
Maintain professional working relationship with residents Probation and Parole Officer throughout referral time in program. Identify established pass/fail parameters and report to resident’s Parole and Probation Officer any infractions while assigned to the program.
Meet with assigned clientele to ensure proper Breath Analysis, Urinalysis, and scheduled meetings are accomplished according to established procedures. Monitor and clearly document all interaction between the Center and the individual with the referral agency.
Maintain professional relationship with City, Justice and District Courts, State Probation and Parole Office, Federal Probation Office, Intensive Supervision officers, other referring agencies and Great Falls Pre-Release Services, Inc.
Conduct intake interview with referred clientele. Determine eligibility for clientele and arrange placement in a non-profit agency. Monitor and clearly document all interaction between the Center and the individual with the placement location.
Administratively supervise client in completion of Community Service work. Prepare correspondence to referring agencies as needed to reflect compliance or non-compliance of Community Service. Maintain confidentiality of clients' personal information and status.
Prepare weekly, monthly and quarterly status reports as required. Collect and account for money as necessary to pay for required fees.
Perform intake of J.A.’s as necessary. Schedule individuals to complete their J.A. sentence. Assist in maintaining a schedule of all personnel assigned to the JA program including entry and completion dates.
Assist in the preparation of status reports as required. Collect and account for funds as required and assist in insuring all money’s are paid or billed to appropriate agencies.
Go into referrals homes and install/remove electronic monitoring equipment. Prepare correspondence to referring agencies as needed to reflect compliance or non-compliance of sentence.
Fill in for Community Service Coordinator in that individual’s absence.
Perform additional duties as requested or assigned.
Provide regular progress reports for Center Board of Directors.