Inmate Classification Counselor

An Overview

The Alexandria Sheriff's Office is currently seeking highly qualified applicants for the rewarding position of Inmate Classification Counselor. An Inmate Classification Counselor conducts interviews and assessments of people committed to Sheriff’s Office custody, who will be housed in the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center. During inmate assessment interviews, the Inmate Classification Counselor obtains biographical information to assess potential risk and conducts inquiries of computerized databases to verify inmate background information, which may be required by the courts, detention center staff, the magistrate’s office, the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney, and various other judicial/protective services agencies. Following the assessment of each inmate, the Inmate Classification Counselor makes recommendations on proper housing and referrals to designated providers of medical, mental health, and various other critical services as applicable. Additionally, classification counselors provide crisis intervention and short-term counseling to inmates experiencing personal or emotional difficulties, delivered in both individual and group settings. Assists inmates with adjustment to facility rules, housing unit expectations, and correctional routines, and supports the development of comprehensive discharge and reentry plans to facilitate successful reintegration into the community.

What You Should Bring

A thorough knowledge of the principals of sociology and psychology relating to adults, family and adult counseling methods and skills; detailed understanding of court procedures and laws; comprehensive knowledge of the function and practices of the court as they relate to clients; thorough knowledge of casework methods and client supervision practices; good knowledge of the principles and techniques of interviews; good understanding of pretrial and probation standards; good knowledge of corrections procedures, guidelines, and services; good understanding of the role of police, courts and the criminal justice system, commitment procedures and the constitutional rights of detainees; experience motivating justice involved clients, effectively guiding them toward positive behavior changes while maintaining a professional and supportive approach; skill in motivating clients to demonstrate positive behavior; ability to communicate clearly and effectively with individuals in stressful situations; excellent problem solving skills; excellent time management skills; excellent writing skills; excellent oral communication skills; excellent decision making skills; excellent computer skills; ability to be a team player and the ability to analyze attitudinal and behavioral problems objectively.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducts initial intake interviews with incoming inmates and provides facility, housing unit, and the Prison Rape Elimination Act orientations.
• Completes 30-day reviews and reclassifications to determine appropriate custody level and risk
• Provides counseling services to inmates concerning rules, regulations, and available services/activities.
• Provides crisis counseling concerning personal problems as required, either in an individual or group setting.
• Counsels inmates regarding matters affecting them that are external to the institution, including family matters and financial problems.
• Coordinates with other staff, such as chaplains, teachers, alternative program supervisors (work release, work detail, workforce), mental health professionals, and medical personnel regarding the adjustment, behavioral performance, and treatment needs of individual inmates on their assigned caseload.
• Develop plans based on individual needs.
• Determines loss of privileges when deemed necessary.
• Makes referrals to, and works closely with, substance abuse, mental health, medical, the chaplain, educational services, and other services as needed.
• Collaborates with outside agencies including courts, probation and parole, department of corrections, jails, federal facilities, housing authority, shelters, etc.
• Facilitates life skills and reentry groups with the female and male population.
• Appears in court for revocations, review hearings, preliminary hearings, and trials.
• Prepares and submits jail adjustment reports for various courts, the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney, and defense attorneys.
• Appears in Alexandria circuit, general district, and juvenile and domestic relations court to provide testimony and recommendations on client supervision.
• Reports compliance/non-compliance of a defendant/offender with court-ordered requirements to include but not limited to mental health, substance abuse, sex offender program, batterer's intervention, anger management, community service, shoplifting classes, drug testing/treatment, court cost, and restitution.
• Performs related duties as assigned.
• Notarizes documents for clients.
• Demonstrates an established pattern of good judgment.

About the Office

The Alexandria Sheriff's Office is responsible for operating the William G. Truesdale Adult Detention Center, providing courthouse and courtroom security, serving all court legal documents, executing court orders, transporting prisoners, executing arrest warrants, and ensuring public safety and law enforcement. All powers, responsibilities, and duties of the Alexandria Sheriff's Office derive from common law, the Virginia Constitution, the Code of Virginia, and the Alexandria Charter.

The Alexandria Sheriff's Office is a highly professional organization with 203 sworn and civilian personnel. The Office is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, the American Correctional Association, and the National Commission on Correctional Health Care. The Office has been honored by the National Sheriff's Association with the prestigious "Triple Crown Award" for achieving these national accreditations. The Office holds certifications from the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and the Department of Corrections and is certified under the Prison Rape Elimination Act.

At a minimum, applicants for this position must possess:

• Two years of college; some knowledge of operating methods of detention facilities, some knowledge of interviewing techniques; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.
• Ability to understand problems involving criminal behaviors.
• Ability to evaluate skills and potentials of inmates, ability to establish and maintain a cooperative working relationship with inmates.
• Good typing skills and/or familiarity with keyboard equipment, and good judgment.

Preferred applicants for the position of Inmate Classification Counselor will meet all minimum standards listed above and must:

• Possess a four-year college degree in criminal justice, psychology, sociology, or an equivalent combination of education and experience in a corrections or law enforcement setting.
• Notary
• VICN/NCIC certified
• Be mature, flexible, and able to command the respect and confidence of inmates and staff diplomatically.
• Have demonstrated experience providing case management services to offenders in a jail or prison setting, and experience working with special management populations, including mentally ill, sex offenders, and high-risk inmates.
• Possess the ability to clearly and effectively communicate with and motivate offenders under stressful conditions.
• Possess an excellent knowledge of correctional programs and guidelines.
• Possess established skills and abilities that can be used to motivate inmates or people in a correctional setting to reinforce positive behavior.
• An ability to conduct effective interviews with arrested and incarcerated individuals to determine potential risks and immediate needs of inmates.
• Demonstrates proficiency in utilizing computerized databases to retrieve and verify background information as required by the courts, detention center personnel, magistrate’s office, Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, and other judicial or protective services agencies.
• The ability to thoroughly and accurately prepare written recommendations of classification and reclassification status, and detention placement.
• Possess the proper judgment and ability to provide appropriate services and pre-release counseling/guidance to inmates regarding jobs, schools, and outside agencies that provide additional reintegration services.

This position requires a polygraph exam, drug screening, and local and federal criminal history checks as part of the applicant background investigation. The employee will be required to obtain and maintain Notary Public commission in the Commonwealth of Virginia.