09/20/2006 46195

CLINICAL DIRECTOR, SEXUAL OFFENDERS ASSESSMENT BOARD

DEFINITION: This is responsible professional work in the development, management, and administration of the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board’s clinical policies and procedures.

The employee in this job is responsible for directing the clinical operations of the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board. Work involves the development, recommendation, and implementation of policies, procedures, and protocols related to the assessment of sex offenders. Work includes the responsibility for managing a professional staff responsible for pre-sentencing investigations and psychological assessments of sexual offenders, and providing direction to gubernatorial appointed Sexual Offenders Assessment Board Members. Work also includes remaining abreast of legislative developments and recommending policies to the Executive Director of the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board in response to legislative changes; ensuring the consistency of assessments through the development and implementation of a quality assurance program; providing expert testimony as needed; and serving as the resident expert of the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board for clinical matters. Work is performed with considerable independence under the general direction of the Executive Director of the
Sexual Offenders Assessment Board who reviews work through discussions and written reports for program effectiveness.

EXAMPLES OF WORK: Plans, organizes, directs, coordinates, and evaluates the clinical activities of the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board.

Recommends and implements policies associated with protocols regarding recommendations for post-release supervision.

Recommends and implements policies associated with specific risk assessment instruments to objectively measure or predict potential recidivism of the individual.

Recommends and implements policies associated with protocols regarding the identification of a sex offender’s level of risk.

Recommends and implements policies associated with polygraph protocol once a sex offender is in the community.

Recommends and implements policies associated with the use of Global Positioning System technology while sex offenders are in the community.

Recruits, hires, and maintains knowledgeable and competent professionals to serve as Sexual Offenders Assessment Board Members and recommends such persons for gubernatorial appointment.

Develops and implements a quality improvement process through an audit analysis system to ensure all assessors at the state and county level are using a standardized assessment.

Develops performance measures for counties to better comply with Federal mandates associated with sex offenders.

Develops and provides training on the application of assessment protocols, standards, and policies.

Coordinates investigations that include gathering, consolidating, and transmitting pertinent case information on convicted offenders for Sexual Offenders Assessment Board Members to utilize in assessment.

Provides independent expert assessment to the Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole.

Provides expert testimony regarding general forensic and clinical issues associated with sex offenders to the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

Communicates best practices, appropriate literature, reports and data to the Sexual Offenders Assessment Policy Board.

Performs the full range of supervisory duties.

May participate in the performance of subordinates’ work consistent with operational or organizational requirements.

Performs related work as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES: Knowledge of the principles and methods of psychology including statistical measurement of individuals and groups, diagnostic evaluation, psychotherapy, and the relationship between diagnostic findings and therapeutic methodologies.

Knowledge of the application of psychology to individual and group behavior.

Knowledge of mental illnesses and disabilities, their symptoms, treatment and social implications.

Knowledge of the principles and methods of psychological research and experimental design as applied to the field of psychology.

Ability to apply the standards and ethical principles related to the practice of psychology and other professional disciplines associated with the Sexual Offenders Assessment Board’s assessment programs and processes.

Ability to analyze and interpret legislation, regulations, and legal procedures and to make recommendations for the implementation of policy associated with such.

Ability to plan, organize, coordinate, and direct professional staff.

Ability to speak effectively.

Ability to write effectively.

Ability to present issues at seminars, training sessions, before community groups, and at legislative hearings.

Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with various internal and external entities.

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING: Five years of professional experience in corrections, probation, parole, law enforcement or other social work; and a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, criminology, or any of the behavioral sciences;

or

An equivalent combination of experience and training.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Possession of a valid license to practice psychology issued by the Pennsylvania State Board of Psychology;

or

Completion of a residency or training program in psychiatry which meets the certification requirements of the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology or the American Osteopathic Board of Neurology and Psychiatry; and possession of a valid license to practice medicine in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as issued by the State Board of Medical Education and Licensure, or the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners.