TENTATIVE

Occ. Code 8171200

EDUCATION COUNSELOR, GRADE 19

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

Positions in this title series are responsible for providing counseling service to aid inmates in making effective adjustment to facility education programs.  Incumbents work with inmates and staff to develop individual educational and vocational programs and ensure that these programs are directed toward inmate projected goals upon release.

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

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

EDUCATION COUNSELORS: take part in the assessment and analysis of the educational and vocational needs of inmates; work directly with inmates to ensure all issues are appropriately addressed so that inmates are better prepared to function in society in a post-corrections environment.

RELATED CLASSES

Correction Counselors apply social casework principles to the social, educational and vocational rehabilitation of inmates in correctional facilities.  Incumbents guide and assist inmates in their adjustment to their new environment, encouraging them to upgrade their educational and vocational skills and to modify their behavior in order to prepare them for eventual release into the community.

Facility Parole Officers apply social casework techniques to work on a variety of issues related to the release of inmates from correctional facilities, performing functions that include: the assignment and review of caseloads and interviewing of inmates; creation and implementation of discharge activities to help inmates with the release and reintegration into communities; preparation of summary reports for the Parole Board; coordination with community-based parole staff, the development of a final discharge and supervision plan; and any other administrative duties associated with the release of inmates from incarceration.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

Meet with inmates to gather information about background, interests, and abilities, and provide each inmate with information about a facility and its programs.

• Obtain and review all pertinent records and reports, including probation reports, criminal records, and information concerning family, education, employment, health, and other personal matters.
• Interview assigned inmates to assess their individual needs, capacities, educational level, family circumstances, behavioral problems, and aspirations.
• Prepare and present case analyses, recommending educational, vocational training, or work programs as appropriate.
• Discuss with inmates programs available at a facility and inmate abilities and desires concerning appropriate programming.
• Periodically conduct a portion of the basic orientation for a group of new inmates by orally explaining a facilitys rules, regulations, and programs so that each inmate can understand the institutions purpose, programs, and population.

Provide ongoing counseling and life skills to inmates, encourage them to remain in school, assist with positive behavioral changes, and assist with transitional planning for release or discharge.

• Assist inmates to set goals, meet learning objectives, and improve life skills.
• Meet with inmates periodically to discuss either each inmates progress and attitudes or any particular problem within a facility, and help with the identification and resolution of personal problems not directly caused or related to facility living.
• Guide inmates by the use of direct or indirect counseling techniques to identify adjustment and programming problems and to explore alternative solutions. 
• Establish a rapport with inmates to facilitate the effective use of counseling techniques to help each inmate through a self-motivation process. 
• Act as an intermediary between inmates and persons or agencies outside a facility to ensure that family or business matters are attended to.  In this capacity, may prepare correspondence for an inmate, search records, discuss matters with members of a family, obtain licenses, etc.
• Provide inmates with information concerning rights and requirements pertaining to veteran status, income tax, licenses, social security, retirement funds, etc., and ensure that inmates receive the benefits to which they are entitled.
• At appropriate times and with discretion, inform inmates of events concerning close relatives or friends which may be upsetting to the inmate and which may require very careful handling.
• Inform inmates of programs available along with any special services which may be used in solving a problem.
• Based on the findings, may refer inmates to a physician, psychologist, psychiatrist, or other professional for special help, testing, or diagnosis.
• Follow-up on all referrals to ensure that services were rendered.
• Record in a prescribed format the results of all meetings and referrals.

Coordinate interactions with teachers, administrators, and other relevant facility staff to ensure the needs of inmates are being met in a positive and effective manner.

• Provide support and technical assistance to various committees, act as a liaison with other program areas, assist with the development of education plans for each inmate, and coordinate plans with other professionals.
• Assist with testing services, including the administration of standardized tests required for accommodations and evaluation of student needs.
• Ensure all students are properly placed.
• Work with staff to make sure resources are available and training is provided on the skills needed.
• Instruct non-counseling staff in the techniques of counseling by providing appropriate reading material, assisting them, and providing critiques.

Evaluate, classify, and program inmates.

• Prepare special reports on inmates.
• Assist with reporting data collection, education plans, enrollments, monthly reports, and referrals.
• Maintain records and may participate in the update and review of facility procedures and internal controls for purpose of maintaining facility accreditation.
• May serve as a member of various facility committees and assist with inmate disciplinary hearings.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Open Competitive: Masters Degree in vocational, rehabilitation, vocational counseling, rehabilitation counseling, educational guidance, school psychology, or school counseling. 

Date:  7/09

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.