Forensic Specialist

GENERAL OVERVIEW OF KEY ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. To provide support, education, counseling and guidance to case management staff and to consumers in with forensic issues.

2. To develop and reinforce mechanisms and resources to facilitate proper reintegration into the community and continued compliance with regulations.

3. To refine strategies for intervention with challenging clients and current and past legal issues.

4. To ensure a safe, secure and pleasant environment, in compliance with Agency policies and procedures and applicable regulations.

5. To implement the overall mission, values and beliefs of the Agency policies, procedures, and applicable regulations.

ESSENTIAL & CORE FUNCTIONS:

1. Provide assessment of clients at the point of entry into the forensic system to determine their needs pertaining to the legal situation.

2. Assist with transition to and from prison into the community and ensure the clients remain complaint with court orders after release.

3. Maintain appropriate relationships with prison social workers, attorneys, probation officers, and all other pertinent contacts within the legal community.

4. Maintain and submit all required documentation on a timely basis, including progress notes, personal goal plans.

5. Provide support for clients and families while they are incarcerated or going to court on criminal charges.

6. Serve as an advocate and encourage clients to assume a proactive role in their legal proceedings.

7. Provide out reach and follow up recommendations to case managers

8. Establish and maintain linkages wit relative resources

9. Attend all court dates scheduled for clients in their criminal matters

I0. Crisis Intervention, on call, handling all forensic emergencies.

11. Maintain contact with clients who are in prison and meet with them face to face a minimum of one time every 28 days.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Performs other duties and special projects as assigned.

PREREQUISITES & QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE POSITION:

1. Bachelor's degree or Masters Degree in Human Service/Social Sciences or related field with a minimum of 2 years' experience in Criminal Justice field; or any combination of experience, education or training that would provide the level of knowledge, skill and ability required.

COMPETENCIES & PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies to perform the essential functions of this position:

1. Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

2. Knowledge of multiple support systems for substance abusers and familiarity with recovery models.

3. Have good communication skills.

ORGANIZATIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY & RELATIONSHIPS:

1. The individual is to be supervised by the TCM Director.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

GENERAL SIGN OFF:

The employee is expected to adhere to all agency policies and to act as a role model in adherence to agency policies.

I have read and understand this explanation and job description.

Signature:  .                                                                   Date:                                              

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