SENIOR VOCATIONAL COUNSELOR CORRECTIONS  
  DEFINITION:
  Under the direction of the Supervisor of Educational Programs' or  other supervisory administrative officer in a State department, does  the complex field and/or office work involved in assisting in the  planning of individuals vocational rehabilitation programs for  inmates; establishes and/or coordinates the inmate Work Release  Program and performs vocational counseling, training and related  services; 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:
  Organizes assigned field, office, investigational and vocational  counseling work, analyzes complex counseling problems and develops  effective work methods in accordance with established Department of  Corrections procedures.
 Provides various application forms used to record information in order  to determine eligibility for furloughs, Community Residential and  Treatment Centers, Work Release and other employment opportunities and  determines primary eligibility.
 Interviews and/or supervises the interviewing of applicants who are  administratively responsible for the above mentioned programs.
 Aids in the selection of various rehabilitation programs available.
 Provides or oversees the provision of appropriate and timely  vocational and rehabilitation information, counsel and guidance of  inmates.
 Supervises other staff members or a specialized unit of service as  assigned.
 Provides or supervises the arrangements for appropriate training and  needed surgery, treatment or other related physical restoration  services.
 Gathers and supervises the compilation of extensive vocational and  other information and study materials for classification Committee and  arranges them in usable form.
 Talks with prospective employers on the subject of employment  possibilities and opportunities.
 Makes or supervises the necessary contract with community resources,  including service groups, public and private agencies, educational  organizations and employers' groups.
 Prepares correspondence.
 Provides counseling and guidance to inmates, and sees that appropriate  rehabilitation and vocational information is available.
 Prepares detailed reports concerning individual counselees.
 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.
Six (6) years of professional experience in guidance and counseling, educational placement, vocational placement, social work, personnel (to include interviewing for employment placement) or related field; one (1) year of which shall have been involved in an employment counseling and placement program for inmates or ex-offender.
OR
Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience; one (1) year of which shall have been involved in an employment counseling and placement program for inmates or ex-offenders.
OR
Possession of a master's degree in psychology, sociology, education, guidance and counseling or rehabilitation; and one (1) year of professional experience in an employment counseling and placement program for inmates or ex-offenders.
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 the psychological, economic, vocational training and  other problems of ex-offenders.
 Knowledge of vocational opportunities.
 Knowledge of the particular vocational choices likely to be suitable  for ex-offenders.
 Knowledge of the problems involved in the social rehabilitation, care,  custody, and treatment of persons deprived of their liberty.
 Knowledge of the techniques used in group activities and individual  personal counseling.
 Ability to read and understand information of vocational opportunities  of all types in New Jersey and of the education specialized training,  aptitude, capabilities and degree of physical strength, flexibility  and dexterity required for the more common occupations.
 Ability to read and understand knowledge study materials, information  and other resources available in the Department of Corrections,  pertaining to furloughs, work release, and classification.
 Ability to organize assigned field, office, investigational and  vocational counseling work and develop effective work methods.
 Ability to utilize vocational counseling, guidance and other  techniques in a program of vocational rehabilitation and to keep  current with trends of thought in the occupational guidance field.
 Ability to assign, instruct and supervise the work of various staff.
 Ability to determine and comprehend the individual vocational  limitations of persons whose employment would be hampered by ex-  offender status.
 Ability to interview and supervise the interviewing of persons who may  be emotionally upset and antagonistic, to establish and maintain  cooperative working relationships with such persons and the general  public and to work effectively with applicants, subordinates, superior  officers, employees and with that portion of the public interested in  or concerned with the placement of offenders and ex-offenders in the  community.
 Ability to communicate with inmates, prepare evaluations of their  education, training, work experience, aptitudes, physical dexterity,  strength and flexibility and to help plan feasible and appropriate  courses of vocational training.
 Ability to interest employees in the training and employment of  inmates.
 Ability to prepare reports.
 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 after reasonable  accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation  cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship,  such persons may not be eligible.
 CODES: 21/P21 - 61867           MCK            4/16/03