CLASSIFICATION OFFICER 2 DEFINITION:
Under direction of a Supervising Classification Officer or other supervisory official in a State prison, juvenile detention facility, or county jail, applies state and federal laws department regulations governing the level of security, status, transfer, and involuntary commitment of inmates; classifies inmates using the Objective Classification System; coordinates inmate records, checks inmate progress, calculates sentence expirations, and prepares materials for use by the Bureau of Parole, State Parole Board, and other committees; does other related duties.
NOTE: The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. EXAMPLES OF WORK:
Interviews inmates at the onset of incarceration, explain the department classification process, and prepares care histories, case analyses, and classification summaries.
Organizes relevant information concerning inmates which is presented at weekly meetings of the Institutional Classification Committee including reports received from custodial, psychological, educational, psychiatric, social service, and other staff members.
Acts as secretary to the Institutional Classification Committee.
Provides recommendations to the Institutional Classification Committee regarding rehabilitation, institutional transfers, level of security required, psychotherapy and/or guidance, vocational training, and housing arrangements based on an evaluation of the data assembled on the individual inmate.
Participates in a systematic program of orientation for all new inmates.
Maintains an appropriate, complete, and accurate system of inmate records and maintains an inmate census.
Facilitates the regular and systematic classification review of inmates in accord with established procedures.
Participates in a program of prerelease training designed for the satisfactory readjustment of inmates.
Prepares inmate histories and other materials for the Institutional Classification Committee and/or Parole Authority.
Prepares the Objective Classification System scoring instrument, and interprets the scoring instrument to assist the Institutional Classification Committee in determining the most appropriate inmate level of security.
Reads and interprets criminal history reports and other law enforcement summaries to apply objective classification scoring criteria.
Calculates sentence expirations by applying allowances for work performed, minimum credits earned, and other factors.
Arranges for registration of potential parolees whose convictions fall within the parameters of community notification statutes.
Applies state and federal laws and department regulations governing the level of security, status, transfer, and involuntary commitment of inmates.
Provides recommendations regarding referrals for involuntary commitments of sex offenders.
May prepare data for submission to the Board of Institutional Trustees concerning inmates to be recommended for discharge from parole by the Bureau of Parole.
May prepare case material required by the State Parole Board, Governor's Office, courts, and other authorized agencies.
Confers with the superintendent on classification records and summaries, progress reports, reclassification, parole cases, and parole violators.
Makes arrangements for release of individuals scheduled for parole and discharge, and checks to ensure that warrants filed against inmates have been cleared prior to release.
Maintains liaison between interdepartmental institutions, State Parole Board, and central office.
Prepares correspondence in the course of official duties.
Prepares clear, sound, accurate and informative case histories and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
Establishes and maintains records and files.
Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
REQUIREMENTS:
NOTE: Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience.
Seven (7) years of professional experience in program delivery or development in providing education, habilitative, or social services for persons with emotional, social or behavioral problems, or experience in the review of records and classification of inmates which shall have included providing recommendations for vocational and other rehabilitation programs, and/or probation or parole work with inmates of a penal or correctional facility, including or supplemented by twenty-four (24) semester hour credits in a combination of any of the following areas: criminal justice, legal research, law, sociology, psychology, or other related areas of the behavioral or social sciences.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including or supplemented by twenty-four (24) semester hour credits in a combination of any of the following areas: criminal justice, legal research, law, sociology, psychology, or other related areas of the behavioral or social sciences.; and three (3) years of the above-mentioned professional experience.
NOTE: "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.
LICENSE:
Appointees will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES:
Knowledge of correctional and parole methods and practices.
Knowledge of the structure and operations of correctional and parole systems.
Knowledge of research and interviewing techniques.
Knowledge of the Objective Classification System and scoring criteria after a period of training.
Ability to read, interpret, and apply federal and state laws and regulations, policies, and procedures of the department regarding the level of security, rehabilitation, status, transfer, release, and parole of inmates.
Ability to organize and present material before pre-parole and classification committees and to prepare recommendations for their use.
Ability to interview inmates and prepare complete classification records, summaries, and social histories.
Ability to review assembled data pertaining to individual inmates and prescribe a recommended program of orientation and rehabilitation.
Ability to plan and carry out systematic reviews of the classification status of inmates.
Ability to plan and carry out programs of prerelease, pre-parole, and other training for inmates.
Ability to provide information in written and oral formats to boards and committees to facilitate their decision-making process.
Ability to prepare correspondence.
Ability to prepare case records, summaries, histories, and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
Ability to establish and maintain records and files.
Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication.
Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
