The Discharge Planning Coordinator (DPC) will assist inmates being released from the jail to successfully reenter the community. Discharge planning helps inmates build long term success plans while still incarcerated, meeting with inmates who will be discharged soon. The position will deal with many recurring issues such as substance use disorders, mental health issues, medical issues, intellectual difficulties and homelessness, to help avoid re-arrest. Ability to work closely with jail medical and mental health staff as well as organizations in the community to facilitate the transition from jail-based services to community based services upon release. 

• Meet with inmates one-on-one to coordinate discharge planning
• Create active and working relationships with a myriad of resources including:
  • Mental Health Court
  • State Hospitals
  • Jail staff
  • Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network (HOTBHN)
  • District Attorney’s Office
  • Jail Medical Staff, including psychiatrists, psychologists and nurse practitioners
  • Parole and Adult Probation Departments
  • County and District Courts
  • Local law enforcement agencies
  • Community resource partners
  • Veteran’s Administration (VA)
• Post discharge outreach and tracking of inmates and services
• Develop said tracking mechanism and procedure for following discharged inmates
• Perform assessment of inmates’ needs to develop an active discharge plan that addresses the identified needs, including medication and medical treatment, with desired outcome of reducing recidivism
• Develop housing options utilizing shelters, half-way houses, or nursing homes for seriously medically ill
• Attend weekly Special Housing Unit (SHU) meetings
• Oversee the State Hospital Clearinghouse list for McLennan County
• Coordinate with HHSC to facilitate admission and discharges to State Hospitals
• Assess current behavior and functioning through communication with jail staff
• Coordinate with HOTBHN Re-integration Services
• Create strong working relationships with the DA’s office, Mental Health Court, and other county and district courts to track court dates and case dispositions
• Create partnerships with local law enforcement agencies to identify high risk individuals
• Coordinate Emergency Detention Order (EDO) planning and mental health warrants
• Coordinate in-house services for inmates upon re-arrest
• Regular attendance and timeliness are required

LIMITATIONS AND DISCLAIMER: The above job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; it is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for the position.EDUCATION:
Required:

• Master’s degree in social work, psychology, counseling, or related field preferred

 
SKILLS – EXPERIENCE:
Required:

• At least two (2) years of experience in social services, chemical dependency, criminal justice or closely related field preferred
• Current and valid TX driver’s license and a safe driving record
• Applicant must be 21 years of age on /or before date of hire
• Must maintain personal loyalty to the Sheriff
• Ability to work in a hostile environment of inmates and their visitors without reacting in a negative manner and project a professional image at all times
• Exceptional skill in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with County staff, inmates, police departments and the public
• General knowledge of basic hardware and software and uses of a variety of different computer operating systems such as Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Outlook
• Keen attention to detail; careful and accurate data entry
• Ability to maintain high level of confidentiality and privacy
• A high level of self-direction, organization and work efficiency is a requirement

Preferred:

• Knowledge of inner workings of county and district courts, court processes and procedures
• Existing knowledge of community resources
• Knowledge of criminal justice procedures from arrest to case disposition
• Knowledge of Texas law related to 46B, 46C and state hospital placement
• Ability to communicate in Spanish

 
 Disqualifiers:

• Undesirable character or reputation
• A felony conviction or felony deferred adjudication against the laws of this state, another state, or the United States
• Conviction, including court-ordered community supervision or probation for any criminal offense above the grade of Class B Misdemeanor, or a Class B Misdemeanor within the last ten (10) years
• Arrested for DWI or DUI in the past ten (10) years
• Currently under indictment for any criminal offense
• Sold or manufactured any illegal drugs
• Conviction, guilty plea, or probation for any family violence offense
• Discharge from any military service under less than honorable conditions, or any other characterizations of service indicating bad character

All Employees 
o Must be committed to achieving excellence in assigned duties, always in service of the county and community
o Must have ability to earn and keep the trust of fellow employees and the community at large
o Must be approachable and ready to help fellow employees and the general public
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS: 

• Contact with “at risk” clients and persons accursed or adjudicated of misdemeanor and felony offenses, visitors and general public
• Work is performed mostly indoors in a 24-hour/7-day confined, security facility 
• Climate-controlled environment. Significant contact with the public, elected officials, department heads, and other County employees

 
PHYSICAL DEMAND REQUIREMENTS: 

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear
• The employee frequently is required to stand. The employee is occasionally required to walk; sit; use hands to find, handle, or feel objects, reach with hands and arms; stoop and kneel
• Must be able to safely lift 20 lbs.
• Although directed not to engage in physical contact with inmates, individual must be able to physically avoid combative or aggressive inmates and may occasionally become involuntarily engaged with combative inmates

 
HOURS / SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm (position can require overtime on occasion to support operational needs)