TENTATIVE

Occ. Code 8717900

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES

            Positions in this title series manage and direct all aspects of the Department of Correctional Services Temporary Release Program.  Incumbents of these positions develop and recommend program policy for approval by the Associate Commissioner and implement and monitor Department procedures.  These positions coordinate all aspects of the program with other divisions in the Department, other government agencies, and the public.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, TEMPORARY RELEASE:   one position; assists the Director, Temporary Release in managing the daily operations of the Temporary Release Program; recommends policy and procedural changes to the Director, Temporary Release; and in the absence of the Director, Temporary Release, administers the Temporary Release Program.

DIRECTOR, TEMPORARY RELEASE: one position; directs and manages the operations of the Temporary Release Program; and oversees the implementation of any change in Temporary Release Program Policy.

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR TEMPORARY RELEASE

Implement program changes as directed by the Director, Temporary Release Program in response to legislative mandates.

• Assist the Director, Temporary Release Program to ensure program practices are consistent with controlling policy and legislation and the Commissioners directives.
• Direct subordinate staff in conducting all necessary background studies and research activities required by policy modifications or legislative changes.
• Provide program and technical support on behalf of the Director, Temporary Release to other departments, agencies, and the public.
• May appear before the legislature or major legislative committees in support of the department's position or actions for the Temporary Release Program.

Assist the Director in facility based reviews of Temporary Release Program.

·        Supervise Correction Counselors and other professional and clerical staff assigned to the Temporary Release Program.

• Review the processing of all Temporary Release participation requests and the preparation of transfer orders or denied notifications.
• Ensure that all participation requests are evaluated in terms of inmate eligibility and relevant program criteria.
• Review staff responses to inquiries on inmate participation in Temporary Release and work release placement at work release facilities.
• Represent the Department in litigation arising from disapproval decisions and other related matters which impact upon the Department.
• Schedule and assign training opportunities for all subordinate staff.
• Supervise the preparation and updating of the Temporary Release Manual and related Temporary Release Program rules and regulations.
• Recommend and implement new Temporary Release policies and procedures.
• Research more efficient use of program resources to expedite placements at Temporary Release facilities.
• Advise facility staff on criteria or procedure changes to Temporary Release rules, regulations and policies.
• Monitors all work release and day reporting facility activities to ensure compliance with Correction Law and with controlling rules and regulations.
• Discusses the Temporary Release Program with community leaders to address their concerns and to gain their active support.

Assists the Director Temporary Release Program to administer and manage the operational aspects of the Central Office Temporary Release Program.

• Plans and implements program objectives that ensure the continuous flow of inmates into program and expedite the review of all Temporary Release applications, and appeals of Temporary Release decisions.
• Provide technical assistance on the Correction Law and Departmental policies and procedures to all staff.
• Supervises the preparation of field staff monthly statistical reports of programmatic evaluations and analysis for Associate Commissioner and Commissioner.
• Coordinates the Temporary Release Program with other Divisions and government Departments, and the public.
• Resolves administrative or technical program problems presented by staff.

Supervise subordinate staff.

• Provide supervision, guidance, and oversight to subordinate staff, and intervene and resolve problems as necessary.
• Determine and oversee staff assignments. 
• Approve leave and track time and attendance.
• Review, monitor, and evaluate staff performance. 
• Complete performance evaluations.
• Identify training needs and arrange for provision of training.
• Manage and direct program activities by setting priorities and deadlines.

Assists the Director Temporary Release Program in Coordinating program activities supporting the actions of courts, Attorney Generals Office, Counsels Office, and Inspector Generals Office.

• Prepare affidavits and compiles documents for Attorney Generals Office to defend the Department's position.
• Request District Attorneys Office to prosecution of involuntarily returned absconders from temporary release.
• Prepare extradition requests for Governor's Office on those inmates who are in out-of-state custody.
• Prepare wanted notices and enters data on information systems that notify police agencies of absconders status.
• Respond to inquiries from Inspector Generals Office regarding absconders from Temporary Release.

Provide all necessary reports required or requested by the State Commission on Correction.

• Compile field staff data for quarterly reports to State Commission on Correction.
• Oversee production of the Temporary Release Program Annual Report for release to Commissioner, legislators and other Department officials.
• Act in all official capacities of the Director Temporary Release Program in the event of the absence of the Director.

DIRECTOR, TEMPORARY RELEASE

Recommend program changes to the Associate Commissioner for the Temporary Release Program in response to legislative mandates, and ensures proposed changes are implemented and contribute to the continued efficient operation of the program.

• Ensure ongoing program practices are compatible with controlling policy and legislation.
• Ensure that Temporary Release Program goals are consistent with Commissioners directives.
• Direct subordinate staff in conducting all necessary background studies and research activities required by policy modifications or legislative changes.
• Develop policy recommendation responses to legislative proposals for review by the Associate Commissioner and Counsels Office.
• Provide program support for Counsel's Office sponsored legislation.
• May appear before the legislature or major legislative committees in support of the Department's position or actions for the Temporary Release Program.
• Review the impact of new or revised legislation, develops policy recommendations on behalf of the Commissioner.

Monitor subordinate staff and daily office functions at facilities using the Temporary Release Program.

• Approve work placement and work release at eligible facility programs for inmates in the Temporary Release Program.
• Provide direct supervision over Correction Counselors, Supervising Correction Counselors, the Assistant Director, and other professional and clerical staff assigned to the Temporary Release Program.
• Review the processing of all Temporary Release participation requests and the preparation of transfer orders or denied notifications.
• Ensure that all participation requests are evaluated in terms of inmate eligibility and relevant program criteria.
• Is responsible for all final inmate placement determinations.
• Supervise all responses to inquiries on inmate participation in Temporary Release and work release placement at work release facilities.
• Represent the Department in litigation arising from disapproval decisions and other related matters which impact upon the Department.
• Conduct performance evaluations for the Assistant Director, Supervising Correction Counselors, Correction Counselors and other professional and clerical staff assigned to the Central Office Temporary Release Program.
• Schedule and assign training opportunities for all subordinate staff.
• Supervise the preparation and updating of the Temporary Release Manual and related Temporary Release Program rules and regulations.
• Recommend and implement new Temporary Release policies and procedures.
• Research more efficient use of program resources to expedite placements at Temporary Release facilities.
• Advise facility staff on criteria or procedure changes to Temporary Release rules, regulations and policies.
• Monitor all work release and day reporting facility activities to ensure compliance with Correction Law and with controlling rules and regulations.

Determine which correctional facilities are eligible to participate in the Temporary Release Program.

• Review characteristics of inmates, availability of transport and community resources.
• Based on existing standards and policies, project the current and future degree of facility participation that can be accomplished now or in the future in the Temporary Release Program.
• Review proposed new facilities to determine if they meet the criterion of Temporary Release facilities
• Discuss the Temporary Release Program with community leaders to address their concerns and to gain their active support.

Administer and manage the operational aspects of the Central Office Temporary Release Program.

• Plan and implement program objectives that ensure the continuous flow of inmates into program and expedite the review of all Temporary Release applications, and appeals of Temporary Release decisions.
• Provide technical assistance on the Correction Law and Departmental policies and procedures to all staff.
• Respond to all inquiries regarding the Temporary Release Program.
• Supervise the preparation of field staff monthly statistical reports of programmatic evaluations and analysis for Associate Commissioner and Commissioner.
• Coordinate the Temporary Release Program with other Divisions and government departments, and the public.
• Ensure that all Temporary Release applications and appeals processed by Central Office conform to policy and procedure.  Authorize the removal of unsuitable inmates from the Temporary Release Program.
• Resolve administrative or technical program problems presented by staff.

Review facility staff work to ensure implementation and adherence to established policy and procedures.

• Supervise the ongoing review of cases and final determinations to ensure that policies are applied, the rules and regulations of the Temporary Release Program are met and decisions rendered by the Superintendent and Temporary Release Committee at facilities are not in contradiction with departmental policy.
• Supervise facility follow-up reviews to ensure compliance with new policies and procedures.
• Respond to questions from facility staff regarding policy and procedural changes.

Issue program participation determination for non-violent offenders.

• Review case files and summary recommendations prepared by subordinate staff.
• Perform a thorough evaluation of all available information to determine inmate suitability for participation in Temporary Release.
• Make a final decision to approve or disapprove inmate participation in temporary release programs.
• Provide notification of determination.

Coordinate program activities with courts, Attorney Generals, Counsels Office, and Inspector Generals.

• Prepare affidavits and compile documents for Attorney Generals Office to defend the Department's position.
• Request District Attorneys Office prosecute of involuntarily returned absconders from Temporary Release.
• Prepare extradition requests for Governor's Office on those inmates who are in out-of-state custody.
• Prepare wanted notices and enters data on information systems that notify police agencies of absconders status.
• Respond to inquiries from Inspector Generals Office regarding absconders from Temporary Release.

Provide all necessary reports required or requested by the State Commission on Correction.

• Compile field staff data for quarterly reports to State Commission on Correction.
• Oversee production of the Temporary Release Program Annual Report for release to Commissioner, legislators and other department officials.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR TEMPORARY RELEASE

Promotion:   one year of permanent competitive service as a Correction Classification Analyst, or Supervising Correction Counselor, assigned to a Temporary Release program at a facility, or in Central Office Temporary Release. 

DIRECTOR, TEMPORARY RELEASE

Promotion:  One year of permanent competitive service as an Assistant Director Temporary Release Program.

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.