Are you looking for a meaningful career where you can make a positive impact in people’s lives? Join us as a Jail Program Specialist at the Larimer County Jail, where you'll play a vital role in providing program services and supervision to inmates. Our team is dedicated to maintaining a safe and secure environment while offering opportunities for rehabilitation and support to those in our care.

As a Jail Program Specialist, you'll have the opportunity to exercise your leadership skills by supervising inmates, volunteers, and contract staff. You'll also ensure the smooth operation of inmate programs, oversee visitation services, and respond to inmate needs and grievances. Additionally, you will collaborate with other team members to manage inmate commissary services and develop new initiatives to meet community needs.

To excel in this role, you should possess strong communication and interpersonal skills, be adept at handling conflict situations, and have a background in human services, psychology, sociology, law enforcement, or a related field. Your ability to multitask, use various software applications, and maintain accurate records will be essential.

If you are ready to contribute your skills and expertise to a challenging yet rewarding environment, we encourage you to apply for this position and join us in making a difference in the lives of individuals within our community.

The following statements are illustrative of the duties and responsibilities of the job. The organization retains the right to modify or change the duties and responsibilities of the job at any time.

Essential Functions

• May exercise indirect supervision of inmates, volunteers, and/or contract staff.
• Provides supervision and escort of inmates, volunteers, and visitors during programs; provides backup security for jail deputies during breaks; responds to and resolves conflicts as appropriate; prepares inmate behavior reports and answers first line inmate requests.
• Inspects and secures inmate program area; inspects volunteers, visitors, and equipment; runs warrant checks on visitors and volunteers.
• Maintains records, statistics, and reports related to program.
• Enters data into computer systems or databases; looks up information in database; creates basic word processing documents and enters data into spreadsheets; uses email to communicate.
• Researches and responds to inmate grievances within a timely manner; responds to requests and complaints concerning program services from inmates, their families and friends, or the public.
• Works cohesively with other Program Services team members.
• Provides program and supervision coverage as necessary and required.
• Coordinates program services with other community resources; schedules, assists, and evaluates external service providers, assists in processing payments for services.
• Attends and/or directs appropriate meetings, workshops, and conferences.
• Escorts inmates to/from housing areas to various locations within the Jail Center.
• Exercises independent judgment in routine, daily dealings with inmates.
• Supervises inmates during programs, ensuring safety and security.
• Implements emergency procedures as necessary.
• Oversees inmate visitation services provided at the Jail Center.
• Acts as a liaison for visitation services to other related programs and the public.
• Provides administrative support for visitation services, maintains records, verifies accuracy of records, compiles data and statistics, prepares reports and recommendations, and coordinates the processing of appropriate paperwork.
• Evaluates effectiveness of visitation services; assesses the needs of the community and provides recommendations to meet those needs; develops new procedures for the agency; assists in the development of new services.
• Responds to requests for information; acts as a liaison between divisions within the Jail Center regarding visitation issues.
• Directs routine work; coordinates and plans various aspects of visitation services; researches new resources and techniques for improving inmate services; provides technical staff assistance to technical and clerical staff.
• Ability to multi-task by answering 3-6 phone lines during visitation registration periods.
• Uses time management skills to ensure 30-minute visits occur in a timely and prompt manner each visitation day.
• Coordinates inmate commissary services at the Jail Center.
• Acts as liaison with commissary services contractors.
• Assists in preparing and balancing commissary financial reports.
• Assists commissary contractors with delivery of commissary to inmates.
• Coordinates inmate haircut services by promptly responding to inmate requests for haircuts; acts as the liaison for the haircut service contractor; prepares weekly schedule for haircutting services; tracks indigent haircuts given and paid haircuts given; and supervises inmates and ensures security during haircut services.
• Assesses inmate needs and develops new services.
• Oversees tracking, inmate purchases, and distribution of reading glasses.
• Develops program curriculum, services, and lesson plans.
• Develops program services including classes, testing, tutoring, leagues, discussion groups, and related services; assesses inmate needs and develops curriculum; teaches inmates in a one-on-one, group, or classroom setting.
• Oversees unit budget, processes budgetary requests/expenses as necessary, tracks annual budget, and suggests budgetary changes to Jail Program Manager as required. Directs unit operations as needed, facilitates unit organization and job tasks, and provides unit leadership and support to Jail Program Manager.

Nonessential Functions

• When a local declaration of emergency or disaster is declared by the Board of Commissioners, all Larimer County employees may be required to work as a Disaster Service Worker.
• Performs other duties as appropriate or necessary for performance of the job.

Research indicates that individuals from diverse backgrounds, including women and people of color, may sometimes feel hesitant to apply for a position unless they have experience performing every task outlined in the job description. At the Larimer County Sheriff’s Office, we believe in recognizing the value of skills and perspectives that can be gained through unique experiences and backgrounds. We are committed to fostering diversity and inclusion, which we believe are essential to driving innovation and success. If you are passionate about our mission and eager to contribute to a dynamic team, we invite you to apply and showcase the qualities that set you apart. We are committed to providing equal opportunities for all candidates and look forward to reviewing your application.

• One (1) year of experience in a directly related field or in the performance of similar duties and responsibilities required.
• Bachelor's degree, or equivalent education, from an accredited college or university with major coursework in human services, psychology, sociology, law enforcement, public administration, or a related field required.
• Possession of a valid Driver’s License by date of hire required.
• Possession of CPR and First Aid certifications by date of hire required.

Benefits

For all temporary positions, sick leave and our Employee Assistance Program are available and other benefits may be available.

Larimer County offers the following for all Regular/Limited Term positions:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits.

• Flexible Spending Accounts / Health Savings Account

• Short and Long Term Disability.

• Employee Assistance Program

• Basic Life/Accidental Death & Dismemberment 

• Accident Insurance

• Critical Illness Insurance

• Retirement Plan 401(a) with employer match.

• 457(b) Deferred Compensation.

• Paid time off including vacation, sick and holidays. 

Click here to view information on Larimer County's Benefits. 

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Larimer County is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and prohibits discrimination and harassment in all employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity or expression, and sexual orientation), national origin, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military status, or any other characteristic protected by law or regulation.

The Sheriff’s Office prohibits possession of marijuana by employees under any circumstances and expects employees to comply with federal law.

Applicants must meet all of the following:

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States

• Cannot have a felony conviction

• No convictions involving domestic violence

• No use of illegal drugs within the past five years

**For Current Sheriff's Office Employees**

In order to be considered, you must get a Letter of Support from your chain of command and submit the Letter of Support with your application by 11:59 pm on April 14, 2024. Please use the following process for your Letter of Support:

1. Submit your Letter of Intent to your direct supervisor.

2. Your direct supervisor will then write a Letter of Support and route that Letter of Support through your chain of command.

3. Your next level supervisor/manager endorses your direct supervisor's Letter of Support.

4. Your mid-level manager then endorses your Letter of Support.

5. Your Division Commander then endorses your Letter of Support.

6. Submit your fully endorsed Letter of Support along with your application.