Community Corrections Senior Monitoring Communication Specialist

SENIOR MONITORING AND COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Under the direction of the Communications Coordinator, the Senior Monitoring and Communications Specialist assists in managing the personnel and daily operations of the Communications Division of Allen County Community Corrections (ACCC), directly supervises a minimum of fifteen subordinate staff to cover operations at all times (24 hours/day, 365 days/year), providing dispatch and safety services for full time and contract home detention officers and assists in the real-time supervision of approximately 500 serious and/or violent offenders on Home Detention, GPS Electronic monitoring, and Residential Services supervision, ensuring public safety.  This position is Covered as defined by The Board of Commissioners of the County of Allen Employee Handbook.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Ensures procedures are being followed during staff and offender communications and ensures that pertinent information is entered into designated electronic monitoring software systems and databases according to established protocols.
• Responsible for managing the training of new communication staff and provides assistance in developing and recommending revisions to training programs.
• Assists with the development of staff schedules as needed and at appropriate intervals to assure appropriate coverage and communicates all decisions among staff.  In the absence of the Communications Section Chief, approves requests for time off and ensures adequate coverage prior to approval of time.
• Conducts a determination of appropriate travel routes for offenders to and from their residence to approved locations on a regular basis and provides reports of findings to the Client Services Division for offenders who violate travel parameters or who were otherwise determined absent without authorization.
• Assists in the development of a quick reference guide for the procedural details of dispatching.
• Assists in the implementation of new and/or updated changes to policies and procedures and responds to ideas and suggestions from staff.
• Manages the transfer of the 8 Principles of Effective Practice in areas where applicable and ensures that staff members are implementing accompanying practices.
• Serves as on-duty expert resources person and primary staff compliance officer for all electronic monitoring duties, including training Monitor Technician dispatchers, troubleshooting equipment problems, and evaluating offender alerts.
• Assists in the management of detailed equipment inventory processes for all agency electronic monitoring equipment-coordinating repairs, ordering new equipment, reporting lost/stolen equipment, and working with the finance division to ensure proper invoicing from the vendor.
• Assists in ensuring strict compliance with State laws and regulations for Allen County Community Corrections (ACCC) regarding IDACS certification and use.
• Acts as a Monitoring and Communications Specialist in the absence of adequate staff to cover shifts and during heavy work periods.
• Serves as the Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) Security Officer for ACCC by ensuring strict compliance with state laws and providing access to all staff and vendors in the absence of the Communications Coordinator and Section Chief.
• On call 24 hours a day for communications, home detention officers and case managers to assist in decision making regarding concerns pertaining to electronic monitoring equipment and participant compliance in the absence of the Communication Coordinator and Section Chief.
• Assists in the development of the emergency evacuation and disaster recovery protocols assuring the continuation and seamless supervision of serious, violent, and high-risk offenders.
• Functions as a member of the senior staff to assist in the development of recommendations regarding agency operating policies.
• Recommends disciplinary actions to the Communications Coordinator and Section Chief.
• Performs all other duties as assigned, including overtime as required.
• Uses principles of evidence-based practices as a guide in interactions with program participants and in the development of department programs. 
• Must model Pro-Social behavior at times and in all places.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Affairs, Information Technology (IT) or related field with at least three years’ experience in criminal justice processes, legal terminology, or information technology
• Ability to obtain Public Safety Dispatcher, Proprietary Electronic Monitoring Systems and Computer Aided Dispatching Certification within six months.
• Ability to obtain Indiana Data and Communications System/National Crime Information Center (IDACS/NCIC) Full Operator Certification within six months.
• Ability to obtain certification in Motivational Interviewing and Interpersonal Communication
• Ability to serve as a Notary Public
• The agency subscribes to the National Institute of Corrections’ Eight Principles of Effective Intervention (EBP), must be able to complete required Correctional EBP training programs and demonstrate competencies that focus on empirical recidivism risk reduction strategies.
• Knowledge of electronic monitoring systems technology with the ability to test and troubleshoot problems with electronic monitoring equipment, system and software.
• Knowledge of standard and specialized police dispatching policies and procedures set forth by the Allen County Sheriff and Spillman Board in accordance with existing software, radio systems and equipment.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to ensure effective transfer of information and documentation.
• Proficient in the use of Spillman law enforcement information network systems, Case Management Software (CMS), electronic monitoring proprietary software systems and related hardware, SRS, Computer Assisted Facility Security System, Mapping Software, electronic monitoring equipment (CPS and RF), video surveillance system and Odyssey/JTAC, preferred.
• Ability to work at either ACCC location.
• Knowledge of evidence-based principles and practices. 

DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

The Senior Monitoring and Communications Specialist performs work that is broad in scope and of substantial intricacy when assisting in the development and recommendation of revisions to training programs.  Judgment is needed to ensure that procedures are being followed during staff and offender communications and that pertinent information is entered into designated electronic monitoring software systems and databases according to established protocol.

RESPONSIBILITY:

The Senior Monitoring and Communications Specialist provides substantial contributions when completing monthly audits to ensure compliance of existing policies, procedures, and system integrity.  Work is reviewed for soundness of judgment and conclusions.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

The Senior Monitoring and Communications Specialist maintains frequent contact with other County employees and offenders when assisting in managing the personnel and operations of the Allen County Community Corrections (ACCC) Communications Division.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The Senior Monitoring and Communications Specialist works in a call center setting with frequent sitting and the ability to move about freely and some lifting of up to forty pounds, bending, pushing/pulling, reaching over head, kneeling, crawling and mental/visual effort.  Very frequent typing, attention to detail, monitoring equipment, detailed inspection and proofreading exists. The Senior Monitoring and Communications Specialist is sometimes exposed to extreme temperatures, dangerous equipment, chemicals, and noise and hostile and/or violent program participants.

SUPERVISION:

The Senior Monitoring and Communications Specialist assists in supervising a minimum of fifteen non-supervisory employees and part-time employees including training and direct supervision of the Communications Division staff.

LICENSING:

Ability to obtain Public Safety Dispatcher, Proprietary Electronic Monitoring Systems and Computer Aided Dispatching Certification within six months.

Ability to obtain Indiana Data and Communications System/National Crime Information Center (IDACS/NCIC) Coordinator Certification within six months.

Ability to obtain certification in Motivational Interviewing and Interpersonal Communication

Ability to serve as a Notary Public

Ability to obtain certification in Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS)

Valid Driver’s License

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:

Communications Division Coordinator

HOURS:

Shifts and placement may vary depending on agency need; 40 hours/week as assigned; with the ability to be on call; overtime as required.

Salary : $28