JOB TITLE: REGIONAL INSTITUTIONAL PAROLE DIRECTOR

JOB CODE: 46134

DEFINITION: This is responsible administrative and managerial work directing pre-parole activities in correctional institutions or facilities within an assigned region of the Board of Probation and Parole.

An employee in this job plans, directs, and controls the pre-parole inmate programming within county prisons and state correctional institutions. Work involves developing and implementing institutional parole policies and procedures in accordance with applicable legislation, Commonwealth directives, and Board of Probation and Parole policies; directing staff to gather all pertinent information on inmates in correctional facilities and to prepare eligible inmates to serve the remainder of their sentences in the community and to help reduce recidivism; authorizing or withholding the release of inmates from state correctional institutions or county prisons based on new information received that was not available to the Board at the time of the board interview; and meeting with superintendents at state correctional institutions to resolve issues of mutual concern regarding supervision and counseling of inmates in preparation for their release on parole or probation and to develop related procedures or policies. Work also involves supervising parole supervisors, parole agents, and paraprofessional or clerical support staff. There may be an element of physical danger involved in working with prison inmates or probation and parole violators. Work is performed independently under the general supervision of the Director, Office of Re-Entry and Quality Assurance, and is reviewed through reports and conferences for conformance with Board of Probation and Parole policies, procedures and regulations.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: (NOTE: The examples of work are representative of the work, but every position classified to this job may not perform all examples of work listed. Conversely, this is not an all-inclusive list of work examples.):

• Plans, directs, and controls a comprehensive program of pre-parole supervision in a region characterized by a large number of correctional facilities housing a large number of inmates requiring counseling and supervision prior to release.

• Directs institutional parole staff in the administration of pre-parole functions including counseling inmates, initiating pre-parole investigation requests, monitoring and reporting inmate violations, and coordinating inmate hearings.

• Develops, implements and coordinates regional program goals, objectives, policies, and procedures concerning the release of offenders on parole.

• Researches, organizes and evaluates data and submits summary reports and recommendations to the Director, Office of Re-Entry and Quality Assurance.

• Manages and coordinates activities between institutional parole offices and units within the region to include resolving operational issues and ensuring program activities and actions are consistent.

• Ensures institutional parole staff are adhering to all rules, regulations, policies and procedures.

• Makes decisions regarding complex, controversial, and sensitive inmate cases and situations.

• Coordinates administrative and technical support services between central office and the other regions.

• Establishes and maintains professional relationships with superintendents of state correctional institutions and other Department of Corrections staff, wardens, judges, district attorneys, law enforcement agencies, and community organizations to ensure the timely processing of cases eligible for parole consideration.

• Organizes and participates in seminars, conferences, and committee meetings with other law enforcement agencies.

• Authorizes instant urine tests for inmates.

• Performs public relations activities including speaking engagements at community and civic organizations.

• Develops budgetary recommendations for personnel and equipment needs.

• Develops staffing recommendations and proposals for the region.

• Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

• Employees in this job may participate in the performance of subordinates' work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

• Performs related work as required.

ENTRY LEVEL KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of the principles of criminology and penology.

• Knowledge of the principles and methods of probation and parole.

• Knowledge of social and economic resources available to offenders released on probation or parole.

• Knowledge of casework principles and practices.

• Knowledge of individual and group behavior of persons who have been involved in delinquent or criminal activities.

• Knowledge of interview and investigation methods and techniques used to obtain information from individuals.

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of employee supervision.

• Knowledge of counseling methods and techniques.

• Ability to analyze and evaluate written material.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

• Ability to communicate effectively orally.

• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

FULL PERFORMANCE KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: (NOTE: These are expected of an employee performing the work of this job at the full performance level. These may not be evaluated by the State Civil Service Commission or used for Civil Service examination purposes and are not position-specific performance standards):

• Knowledge of the principles, methods and practices of institutional probation and parole investigation, supervision, treatment, and counseling.

• Ability to secure information through personal contacts, observation and the examination of records.

• Ability to analyze, develop, and implement new or improved methods, techniques, and procedures.

• Ability to effectively plan and direct the work of subordinate staff at separate geographic locations.

• Ability to make decisions in accordance with applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

• Ability to interpret, evaluate and implement agency programs.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: (NOTE: Based on the Entry Level Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities):

• Two years as a Parole Supervisor;

or

• Five years and six months of professional experience dealing with offenders or offender programs, which included two years supervising professionals dealing with offenders or offender programs, in probation, parole, corrections, or law enforcement, and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, criminology, behavioral science, or a related field;

or

• An equivalent combination of experience and training which included two years supervising professionals dealing with offenders or offender programs in probation, parole, corrections, or law enforcement.