HERNANDO COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
AL NIENHUIS, SHERIFF
JOB TITLE: RE-ENTRY GED SPECIALIST
BUREAU: JUDICIAL SERVICES
SUPERVISED BY: SERGEANT OR DESIGNEE (RE-ENTRY SUPERVISOR)
PAY GRADE: 16N CREATED: 2/28/2024
FLSA STATUS: NON – EXEMPT REVISED: 10/4/2024
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CLASS:
Under the supervision of the Re-Entry Coordinator, the Re-Entry GED Specialist assists with recordkeeping, instructional assistance, and interaction and communication with students, staff, volunteers, and representatives from other agencies. Re-Entry GED Specialists work with a variety of incarcerated individuals. Inmates need the services necessary for successful transition back into the community from incarceration. The services include, but are not limited to, education, job readiness, job placement, substance abuse education, and life skills.
[NOTE]: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work performance. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS
- Provide career guidance and mentorship to participants as needed.
- Assist in conduction program participant intakes., eligibility verification and documentation.
- Administer evidence-based education and employment skills assessments.
- Utilize assessments results to establish a participant’s career plan, to include employability skills, interests, and identified career pathways.
- Provide instruction in job seeking, application procedures, resume writing, interview preparation, and job retention skills.
- Assist in conducting outreach with local businesses and community service groups and in executing recruitment processes consistent with the program goals.
- Engage in employer site visits, community organizations and businesses throughout Hernando County to market the Re-Entry program, develop potential placements for participants, and identify emerging beneficial employment skills.
- Provide guidance and monitor individual participant employment and career development activities as outlined in the inmate’s case plan in order to track their process towards attainment of identified employment goals.
- Maintain individual participant case plans for employability skills development, job placement, and post release job retention support.
- Collaborate with the business community for appropriate job placement activities.
- Collect data for employers related to employment opportunities including job requirement and skills.
- Assist program participants with obtaining and completing forms and documents necessary for transition (i.e. transcripts, birth certificates, state identification, and Social Security cards).
- Assist participants with restoring government assistance opportunities prior to release, as necessary.
- Accurately track, input data, and maintain comprehensive case files (physical and electronic) of program participants.
- In conjunction with the offender and community resources, develop an individualized case plan to increase likelihood of obtaining work skills, meeting social needs, and reducing recidivism.
- Track recidivism rates for program participants.
- Maintain responsibility for assessing program participants’ capacity for developing personal employment goals, improving employability skills while incarcerated, and supporting career development post-release.
- Prepare forms and reports related to placement activities and prepare other reports, as required.
- Represent the Hernando County Sheriff's Office on the Public Safety Coordinating Counsel in accordance with Florida Statue 915.26
INMATE SELECTION
- Process electronic service request to identify and recruit suitable program participants from the current inmate population. The selection process is determined by such factors as: sentence imposed, criminal history, and inmate interview. All selections are made on a case-by-case basis.
WORKFORCE PROGRAM (in partnership with CareerSoruce)
1. Certified Production Technician (CPT):
The Re-Entry GED Specialist, under the direction of the Re-Entry Coordinator, acts as the site coordinator and proctor for the Certified Production Technician (CPT) test, which includes.
- Order testing materials.
- Collect and make copies.
- Complete Site Coordinator worksheet with every testing day.
- Keep track of all CPT testing, grades and certifications.
2. Computer-Based Programs:
Provide inmates with training, testing and certificates upon completion from CareerSource for the following programs
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Excel
- QuickBooks
- Mavis Beacon
- Resume Writing
GENERAL EDUCATION DEVELOPMENT (GED):
- Provide inmates with computer-based training trough Aztec, which includes lesson plans and flashcards.
- Assists with logging inmates in the Pearson Vue program to schedule testing.
- Proctor the GED test.
INMATE PARTICIPATION:
- Inmates are expected to attend class on scheduled days, excluding extenuating circumstances (visitation, medical visits, etc.). Inmates participating in these programs are expected to maintain an adequate level of cleanliness and remain disciplinary-free. Inmates who fail to meet these requirements will be removed from the program.
PROGRAM COMPLETION/INMATE RELEASE:
- Work alongside CareSource staff to complete a portfolio for each program participant prior to the inmate being released, to include: resume, job leads, resource guide, bus pass information, and any additional information requested to assist in overcoming barriers.
- Complete application for Crescent Clinic and/or BayCare for inmates to continue to get medications needed. Work with the Medical Unit to get inmate medical records sent over to Crescent Clinic and/or BayCare for a prompt appointment upon release.
- Assist with case management of program participants upon being released to include follow-up on employment status, homeless programs, Workforce Innovation, and Opportunity Act (WIOA) schooling opportunities, etc.
- Provide clothing, if needed, upon release.
- Provide a variety of resources to inmate participants upon release.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS:
- Meet with business owners, community partners, and other entities for possible participation in the program.
- Attend community partner meetings associates with the Re-Entry Program to assist inmate with barriers upon release.
MOBILE DMV:
As part of the Hernando County Sheriff's Office commitment to reducing recidivism, there is a collaboration with FLHSMV to ensure that inmates have a government issued photo ID when they get released. Mobile DMV comes to the Detention Center and provides services to the inmate population while they are still incarcerated. In an electronic service request is received, the inmate shall be added to the Mobile DMV list for the next visit.
- Inmates interested in receiving a photo ID shall submit an inmate service request on the Mail Guard kiosk to the Re-Entry GED Specialist.
- The Re-Entry GED Specialist will check the inmate’s property listed in JMS to confirm inmate doesn’t have a photo ID.
- If there is a photo ide list in the inmate property, the Re-Entry GED Specialist will respond to the request.
- If there is no ID listed in the inmate property:
- Re-Entry GED Specialist shall check to see if the inmate is Real ID Compliant in DAVID.
- If the inmate is REAL ID Compliant, they will be added to the list for the next Mobile DMV visit. The inmate will need to complete an Address Certification Form or a Homeless Affidavit.
- If the inmate is not Real ID Compliant, we are unable to assist them currently. The Re-Entry GED Specialist will relay that information to the inmate via the electronic service request.
REPORTS:
- Provide monthly, weekly, and daily reports as necessary.
- Prepare a review list of current inmates that are attending relevant programs for Re-Entry meetings.
- Maintain logs of student progress, behavior, and areas of concern.
OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE DUTIES:
- Coordinate with security staff for inmate movement, inmate restroom breaks, inmate count procedures, etc.
- Schedule inspirational keynote speakers for inmate participants.
- Responsible for the proper control and use of security keys or and security equipment assigned.
- Inspect, inventory, and account for all necessary equipment issued to conduct class (laptops, headphones, GED books, etc.).
- Perform additional duties as directed by higher authority.
REQUIREMENTS:
- Be familiar with facility and inmate handbook policies concerning inmates for the purpose of control of contraband, weapons, and prohibited items.
- Immediately report any inmate infraction/breach of policy which occurs at any time within the purview of the Re-Entry Program.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Training and Experience
- Possess a Valid Florida Driver License.
- Posses a High School Diploma or equivalent.
- Possession of a bachelor’s degree and teaching experience is highly preferred.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of the application of Agency Detention Directives.
- Knowledge of first aid practices.
- Knowledge of CPR.
- Ability to understand oral and written instructions.
- Ability to react quickly and calmly in an emergency.
- Ability to work closely with others in a team.
- Ability to prepare and present clear, accurate, concise and objective written and oral reports.
- Ability to work constructively within a team environment and deal courteously with peers, officers and the public.
- Ability to work with at-risk individuals that can require high levels of assistance or support
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL SKILLS:
- 20/20 Vision (Corrected).
- Ability to walk unassisted.
- Hearing: normal language level (assisted/unassisted).
- Manual dexterity.
- Normal color perception.
Equal Opportunity Employer
