What are the responsibilities and job description for the PREA Coordinator position at Leon County Sheriff's Office?
The PREA Coordinator acts as a liaison and advisor to command staff and leadership on all issues related to the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA). Answering to the Captain of Detention Administration, this employee will maintain and assist the agency with PREA compliance, make weekly visits to housing facilities to monitor compliance, identify promising practices utilized by other agencies, review and revise policies and procedures as needed, and develop curriculum for and conduct required PREA training. The employee will ensure that all inmates receive PREA materials and are screened for sexual abusiveness and victimization and monitor all youthful inmates within the detention facilities. The employee will monitor all calls made to the internal PREA hotline, review sexual assault and sexual harassment allegations, collaborate with local rape crisis centers to provide advocacy services to victims of sexual abuse and coordinate plans to address victims' needs for medical and mental health follow-up. The employee will collect data and submit survey of sexual violence to the Bureau of Justice Statistics annually. The employee will be responsible for hosting the PREA compliance audits required by the Bureau of Justice Statistics and attending conferences for training and networking. The position exercises judgment and individual initiative in the performance of routine duties and emergencies, often without immediate supervision. The position adheres to the agency's core values of honesty and integrity, accountability, teamwork, trust and respect, and commitment to excellence. To be successful in this position, the employee must demonstrate competency in Florida Model Jail Standards, Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission standards, American Corrections Association standards, Detention Facility Custody Manual, officer safety, knowledge of the geographical layout of the Leon County Detention Facility, defensive and control tactics, conflict resolution, general communication skills (both written and oral), interpersonal skills, problem-solving, and team building skills.
- Oversees the installation of PREA-compliant policies and procedures.
- Oversees and assists all divisions with PREA compliance efforts.
- Reviews sexual assault and sexual harassment allegations.
- Assists investigators with interviews and reports.
- Conducts and documents all PREA training provided to all sworn and non-sworn personnel, volunteers, and contractors.
- Monitors all calls made to internal PREA hotline and ensures proper follow-up and documentation.
- Monitors youthful inmates as defined in the PREA standards to ensure proper housing sight and sound separated from adult inmates.
- Makes weekly visits to facilities in which inmates are housed to monitor PREA compliance efforts as outlined in the PREA standards.
- Collects data and submits survey of sexual violence to the Bureau of Justice Statistics annually.
- Conduct self-assessment PREA audits throughout the 3-year cycle,
- Host PREA audit for proof of compliance with the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
- Performs other duties as needed.
- Ability to communicate professionally both written and verbal communication.
- Ability to report to work timely, consistently and as scheduled.
- Ability to report to work in times of an emergency disaster as declared by local, state, or federal officials or agencies.
- Ability to work rotating 8-12 hour shifts involving day-time and night-time hours as well as weekends.
- Ability to perform all functions of the job classification without posing a direct threat to the health or safety of other individuals in the workplace.
- High School Diploma or equivalent is required.
- Bachelor's degree preferred.
- Must be a Certified PREA Auditor and maintain certification through the Department of Justice or obtain certification within one (1) year from employment date or next offered training by Department of Justice.
- Basic training program for Corrections approved by CJSTC preferred.
- Three (3) years of experience in auditing, monitoring, quality assurance, investigations, or similar experience with the facility type or set of PREA standards for jails preferred.
- Equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties.
- Must have a valid driver's license.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel is required.
- Ability to manage and interpret statistical data, formulate recommendations preferred.
- Must be able to lift, push, carry or pull a minimum of 25 pounds independently.
- Position has an increased risk of occupational exposure to hazardous and infectious materials.
- Must be available during times of emergencies or natural disasters.
- Position may require mandatory overtime as designed by administration.