DIVERSION SPECIALIST

Diversion Specialist

Job Title: Diversion Specialist

Department: Dauphin County Prison

Salary: $20.00/hour

Essential Functions of Job:

• Conduct screening tools and/or assessments for individuals coming into the Judicial Center as part of the assembly line process.
• Coordinate with appropriate entities as part of the arraignment process and diversionary opportunities (Pretrial, Drug and Alcohol, CMU, Community Providers, etc.). This coordination may occur with community entities and/or staff at the jail.
• Coordinate any necessary community supports as appropriate if diversion occurs.
• Collaborate with criminal justice entities and human service providers as necessary for continuity of care.
• Conduct any follow ups as necessary with the individual and/or other team members.
• Maintains computerized and manual records and logs.
• Assist correctional officers and/or Law Enforcement with identifying someone that may need emergency mental health treatment, other community supports, and diverting away from the criminal justice system.
• Improve communication and coordination between and among human service providers, the criminal justice system and the larger community.
• Gather all necessary data and assist in preparation of reports.
• Review referrals with supervisor and/or other team members; Conduct follow ups as requested and deemed appropriate.

Other Duties of Job:

• Attend meetings, trainings, and seminars as required.
• Performs any other duties as assigned by the Diversion Coordinator.

Supervision Received:

• Receives supervision from the Diversion Coordinator.

Supervision Given:

• None

Working Conditions:

• Works indoors in adequate work space, lighting, ventilation and temperatures.
• Normal indoor exposure to noise, disruptions, stress, dust and dirt.
• Works outdoors as necessary.
• Travels as necessary to perform essential position functions.

Physical/Mental Conditions:

• Must possess ability to record, convey and present information, explain procedures and follow instructions.
• Must be able to sit for long periods throughout the workday, with intermittent periods of standing and walking and occasional periods of bending, twisting, carrying, pushing, pulling, stooping and reaching as necessary to carry out job duties.
• Dexterity requirements range from coordinated movements of fingers/hands for typewriter and computer, to simple movements of feet/legs/torso as necessary to carry out job duties.
• Sedentary work, with occasional lifting/carrying of objects with a maximum weight of ten (10) pounds.
• Must be able to cope with the physical and mental stress of the position.
• Must be able to move frequently throughout the workday as needed to carry out essential job duties.
• Must be able to pay close attention to details and concentrate on work.

Qualifications

A. Education/Training:

• A Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, public administration, social science, psychology/social work, or a related field preferred or an associate degree and any acceptable combination of education, training, and work experience in a related field.
• Must pass a criminal background check and receive applicable child abuse clearances prior to employment and, after hiring, become CLEAN certified.
• Skilled in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

B. Work Experience:

• Must possess knowledge in the Pennsylvania Crimes Code, Rules of Criminal Procedure, and the criminal justice community in the Central Pennsylvania area.
• Must possess interpersonal skills to interface with other members of the criminal justice community, mental health system and network of providers and Dauphin County government.
• One to two years of criminal justice and/or human services experience preferred. Or any acceptable combination of education, training, and work experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Knowledge of basic principles and practices of modern corrections.
• Knowledge of basic counseling and crisis-intervention techniques.
• Knowledge of individual behavior models.
• Knowledge of pertinent federal, state and local statutes, ordinances, and rules and regulations; knowledge of pertinent Prison emergency plans and procedures.
• Knowledge of pertinent procedures of District Justice Court; Public Defender's Office; and District Attorney's Office.
• Knowledge of community-based agencies and resources, public and private.
• Skill in identifying sources of interpersonal conflict and assessing need for further treatment or security intervention.
• Ability to communicate clearly, in oral and written English.
• Ability to understand and carry out complex oral and written instructions.
• Ability to assess and report upon individual and group behavior.
• Ability to work occasionally irregular hours, in an inherently stressful environment.
• Ability to exercise independent judgment, within established bounds.
• Ability to establish effective work relationships with persons of diverse culture and educational attainment, including (but not limited to) superiors; peers; security staff; inmates, their families, friends and advocates; public and private community-based and voluntary agencies; law enforcement and social-service professionals; and other interested persons.

Dauphin County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an inclusive workplace free of discrimination and harassment. Dauphin County prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.