COUNSELOR, TRANSITIONAL

Job Description

Job Description

Overview

Are you looking for a career you can feel good about? We hire only those that strive to do their best. By joining our family, you'll receive the honor and recognition that comes with working for the industry's global leader in evidenced based rehabilitation.

Who We Are:

GEO provides complementary, turnkey solutions for numerous government partners worldwide across a spectrum of diversified correctional and community reentry services. From the development of state-of-the-art facilities and the provision of management services and evidence-based rehabilitation to the post-release reintegration and supervision of individuals in the community, GEO offers fully diversified, cost-effective services that deliver enhanced quality and improved outcomes.

Why Work for GEO:

• We believe that work is more than a place you go to every day. It is about being inspired and motivated to achieve extraordinary things.
• Employee benefits play an important role in making The GEO Group a great place to work. At GEO, we believe in the three pillars of employee wellbeing: physical, emotional, and financial. With comprehensive benefits and competitive wages, we trust that you will find all the resources you need here to be successful.

Responsibilities

Summary:

Provides inmates and detainees with the tools and knowledge to prepare for reentry into the community. Provides individual and group counseling in self-esteem, problem solving, relationships, and other related issues. Assists the inmate and detainee to secure direct communication with Day Reporting Center (DRC) Post Release Case Manager, substance abuse, educational, employment and/or other free world community social resources that can assist in successful reintegration into society.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide information on services provided at Jail In-custody Program and the Day Reporting Centers, Probation Service Centers, outpatient and residential treatment programs, and any additional transitional services developed by Community Supervision or the Counties.
• Establishes and maintains a network of community-based service providers that address the needs of returning citizens to improve successful reintegration.
• Providers should include state agencies, employment services, employers, housing resources, behavioral health providers and mental health providers.
• Identifies and recruits community-based service providers to ensure all returning citizens needs and geographies are addressed and met.
• Meets with returning citizens and Post Release Case Manager prior to release via conference call to review Transition Plans and connects returning citizens to needed services while at the jail and at the Day Reporting Center.
• Develops and maintains working relationships with state, county, and federal program administrators who can provide assistance to returning citizens upon release.
• Actively engages community resources to work with returning citizens emphasizing on the critical first months of release.
• Works to connect community resources and pro-social people with inmates prior to release via face-to-face meetings.
• Works to assist inmates/clients with obtaining eligible benefits and proper identification upon release.
• Acts as primary liaison between community providers and facilities.
• Assures timely communication and follow-up with City and County personnel in the best interest of the returning citizens successful reintegration.
• Schedules regular post release follow-up calls with returning citizens and monitors progress.
• Reviews opportunities for returning citizens transitioning into their communities through community-based services such as transition centers, community-residential centers, support groups, and community-based organizations.
• Conducts provider site visits to ensure fidelity and create a Company preferred provider list.
• Keeps current with latest reentry research and best reentry practices.
• Attends scheduled staff meetings, promotes communication and the proper flow of relevant information between administration, staff and inmates for both the Jail Reentry In-custody program and Day Reporting Center.
• Compiles statistical data as needed for reporting purposes.
• Communicates effectively and coherently to administration, staff, inmates, and the public, particularly in situations requiring tact, diplomacy, understanding, fairness, firmness, and good judgment.
• Provides general classroom guidance in the areas of career planning, social adjustment, personal management, general life/skills knowledge, and family reintegration.
• Communicates with returning citizens regarding the reality of their post-release activities and plans, defining terminology and identifying community resources.
• Assesses returning client needs and makes referrals to appropriate staff.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in social services, criminal justice or a related field of study preferred.
• Two (2) years’ experience working in a criminal justice, treatment or social services setting.
• Thorough understanding of evidence-based practices especially as it relates to successful reentry.
• Ability to read, analyze, comprehend and interpret technical procedures or governmental regulations, legal and non-legal documents, including the processing of such documents as medical instructions, commitment orders, summons and other legal writs.
• Ability to comply with the requirements of applicable regulations, laws, rules, procedures, policies, standards or contracts.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with others and handle difficult interpersonal contacts.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions; apply management techniques to problems of administration and devise workable solutions.
• Ability to efficiently work with computers and the necessary software typically used by the department.

GEO Reentry Services LLC.