TENTATIVE

Occ. Code 6183800

REGIONAL COORDINATOR RELEASE SERVICES, M-1

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

Positions in this title oversee the activities of the Departments day reporting/work release facilities.  Incumbents of these positions are also responsible for integrating pre-release programs and the Departments ASAT and CASAT programs with day reporting activities.

These positions are classified at the Department of Correctional Services (DOCS).  All incumbents at DOCS assist in the total care and confinement of inmates, sentenced to the custody of the Department and perform various duties and functions in conjunction with the overall operation of a facility and/or location to which they are assigned.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

REGIONAL COORDINATOR RELEASE SERVICES: full performance level; have control over programming for inmates in the work release and day reporting programs.

RELATED CLASSES

Assistant Director Correctional Guidance is a one-position class that assists the Director of Correctional Guidance in the design and implementation of policy on a Department-wide basis relating to all guidance activities.

Correctional Services Guidance Specialist is a one-position class that assists the Director of Correctional Guidance with program development, implementation, and monitoring activities of facility guidance programs.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

Provide assistance and recommendations to the Assistant Commissioner relative to the development of guidelines and procedures to ensure the smooth integration of inmates from confinement status to work release and day reporting status.

• Review existing program activities to ensure that they meet professional standards within the area of specialty.
• Identify roadblocks to program linkage that may exist either because of overall programmatic structure or because of practices specific to the individual correctional facilities within the region.
• Make recommendations to the Assistant Commissioner for program or procedural changes that will improve the overall quality of the program, ensure compliance with professional standards, and enhance the inter-meshing of program components.
• Chair working groups of professionals both from within the agency and from outside the agency aimed at developing and/or improving specific programs and processes.
• Make recommendations to the Assistant Commissioner for the modification of existing programming or procedures based on the activities and findings of the working groups.

On a regular basis, visit community-based programs within the assigned region to ensure that they are operating in accordance with Department standards.

• Review records and reports to determine compliance with policies and procedures.

• Interview staff and inmates to determine their perception of program effectiveness.
• Resolve onsite those problems that do not require a modification in policy, directive, or procedure.
• Evaluate the performance of staff and recommend additional training, reassignment, or removal.
• For those problems identified which are a direct result of policy or procedure deficiencies, recommend possible changes or the need for future study to the Assistant Commissioner.

Act as agency liaison with non-departmental resources and co-sponsors within the region.

• Conduct regular meetings with non-departmental groups to discuss program successes and failures.
• Identify specific problem areas in either DOCS or group policies and procedures and attempt to develop resolutions.
• Ensure that non-departmental resources with specific program obligations are obligations.  In areas of deficiency, either negotiate corrective action or brief the Assistant Commissioner on problems encountered and possible solutions.
• May negotiate the initial phases of contracts or memorandums of understanding with providing agencies and/or organizations that are specific to the region.  In Statewide situations, may perform similar activities, but in support of the Assistant Commissioner or other executive team staff.

Provide training or arrange for training of staff in the region.

• Work in cooperation with regional staff and the Training Academy in developing training programs required for proper program function or to update staff and management on operational changes brought about by changes in enabling legislation, departmental policy, or working relationships with outside organizations and agencies.
• Ensure that all staff within the region are released for training purposes and that they receive necessary training and orientation.
• Provide training centrally in areas of expertise and may provide regional training based on needs specific to the region.

Act as a community relations resource to explain program operation and goals to the public and may act as agency spokesperson relative to the specific incidents that have occurred within the region.

• In close cooperation with the agencys centralized Public Information Office, appear before organizations and groups to explain the goals and objectives of the program and its various components.
• When so designated by the agencys Public Information Office, may act as press contact relative to particular events that have occurred within the program.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Open Competitive: Professional New York State licensure as a psychologist and two years of post-licensure experience in the operation of rehabilitative programming for substance abusers.

Date:  8/09

NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.