Client Services - Community Corrections - Pass Investigator

Department: Allen County Community Corrections FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Classification/Level: B2 Date: 02/2023 Under the direction of the Client Services Coordinator, the Pass Investigator approves and verifies all pass requests and verifications received at the Day Reporting Center and/or the Residential Facility.
This position is responsible for conducting supervised and observed (same gender) urine drug screens on participants under Allen County Community Corrections supervision and maintaining detailed and accurate records.
This position is covered as defined by The Board of Commissioners of the County of Allen Employee Handbook.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: • Reviews all requests from participants to leave their residence or ACCC Residential Services Facility for approval or denial, using established pass guidelines.
Contacts participants on a daily basis to notify if a request has been denied or approved and if approved the participant is given the exact times they are permitted to be away from their residence or ACCC Residential Services Facility along with any other special instructions.
• Investigates all pass and weekly schedule verifications received along with the electronic monitoring printout to ensure compliance and to verify the participant’s whereabouts are known during the entire time they were away from their residence or the ACCC Residential Services Facility; writes violation as needed for noncompliance and forward to the assigned case manager for disciplinary actions.
• Documents all pass requests, pass verification and schedule verification into the case management software (SRS) so that appropriate reports may be processed and the participant’s whereabouts can be tracked and verified in the future.
Documents pass, schedule and job search information into the assigned database daily so that other staff has the pertinent information regarding the participant’s whereabouts to ensure participant compliance.
• Receives, organizes, and reviews all participant requests to be away from their residence as outlined in the Performance Pass Program.
Staffs pass with appropriate case manager or supervisor once a determination has been made for final approval or in cases where the requested location does not comply with stated guidelines.
Notifies participant of approval or denial, enters pass request and verification, reviews verification and electronic monitoring printout for violations, writes any participant violations for non-compliance and forwards to assigned case manager.
• Returns phone calls to participants requesting information, requesting status information on submitted pass requests, request to leave their residence or the ACCC Residential Services Facility outside of the proper written notification time frame, and contacts other agencies regarding passes or issues that need immediate attention.
• Organizes and prioritizes all pass and schedule request received in a timely manner to ensure that Court appearances, medical and employment requests are processed immediately based on the date requested; determines which passes need immediate attention based on the date requested to leave, date submitted and location and reason requesting.
• Meets with participants on a daily basis for pass and schedule request needing immediate attention such as court appearances, medical attention and employment requests, answer questions participants have regarding pass policies and request.
• Performs orientation weekly for new participants to explain the pass and schedule policy and procedures in detail including requests to leave and job search passes, along with the appropriate way to complete requests forms and verification and the guidelines for requesting to leave their residence or the ACCC Residential Services Facility.
• Facilitates job search daily for participants who are unemployed or seeking other employment; approves times and locations participants are permitted while on job search; investigates verification; writes all violations as needed and forward to the appropriate staff member.
Enters job search attendance into SRS within approved guidelines and forwards required paperwork to the appropriate staff members.
• Access numerous computer databases to obtain information and verify and investigate pass requests and weekly schedule information.
• Responsible for conducting supervised and observed (same gender) urine drug screens on participants under supervision by Allen County Community Corrections on a frequent basis.
• Maintains detailed and accurate drug testing records, including chain of custody.
• Closely monitors and detects any potential devise or substance used to interfere with the drug test during collection of the sample, completes necessary documentation and Court affidavits, notifies the Field Division of Allen County Community Corrections, and follows internal policy and procedures.
• Manages the Resource Lab daily for those participants who are unemployed or seeking other employment.
(Day Reporting Center only) • Ensures that all participants who are scheduled to report for the Resource Lab are present and enter compliance or non-compliance into the appropriate databases.
Ensures that required paperwork is forwarded to appropriate staff members.
(Day Reporting Center only) • Effectively communicates with participants, family members and other agencies.
• Verifies participants works hours with employer before approving weekly schedule.
• Documents all approved weekly schedules into SRS case management software according to verified work hours.
• Documents information in the Communications staff database on a daily basis to ensure compliance in an accurate and timely manner.
• Reviews all approved pass requests with verification and Electronic Monitoring printouts/Residential Facility records to ensure compliance.
Writes violations as needed and forwards to the appropriate staff member.
• Testifies in Court regarding participant violations and/or observed drug screens as required.
• Performs all other duties as assigned, including overtime as required.
• Uses principles of evidence-based practices as a guide in interactions with program participants and in the development of department programs.
• Must model Pro-Social behavior at times and in all places.
REQUIREMENTS: • High School Diploma or GED • Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Affairs or related field preferred.
• Prior work experience in the Criminal Justice, Administrative, Data Entry field • Must have knowledge of and ability to apply evidence collection and preservation techniques.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills • The agency subscribes to the National Institute of Corrections’ Eight Principles of Effective Intervention (EBP), must be able to complete required Correctional EBP training programs and demonstrate competencies that focus on empirical recidivism risk reduction strategies.
• Strong computer skills with the ability to use Microsoft Office and other job-related software.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of all Department records and information.
• Working knowledge of standard operation of office machines and equipment including copier, fax, and telephone • Ability to type and file with standard knowledge of office procedures.
• Knowledge of evidence-based principles and practices.
DIFFICULTY OF WORK: The Pass Investigator performs work that consists of moderately complex, relatively standardized tasks, processes, or operations when conducting supervised and observed drug screens, maintain drug testing records, including chain of custody.
Documentation of job search, pass requests and weekly schedules are entered in an accurate and timely manner.
RESPONSIBILITY: The Pass Investigator is responsible for standardized practices, procedures or general instructions when preparing and maintaining the drug screen lab on a daily basis.
Closely monitors and detects any potential device or substance used to interfere with the drug test collection process and completes necessary documentation and Court affidavits.
Organizes, prioritizes, and documents all pass requests and weekly schedules ensuring all documentation is forwarded to appropriate staff members.
PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS: The Pass Investigator maintains frequent contact with other County employees, case managers, participants, referral agencies and the general public regarding answering general inquiries, verifying information and making referrals.
WORKING CONDITIONS: The Pass Investigator works in and out of an office setting with frequent contact with potentially dangerous, violent, and abusive program participants convicted of various misdemeanor and felony offenses.
There is some standing and walking with frequent sitting.
Some lifting of up to 40 pounds, bending, reaching overhead and kneeling is required.
Frequent mental/visual effort, attention to detail, detailed inspection and typing are to be expected.