Salary/Grade: $38,824.22 annually, depending on experience
The purpose of this position is to protect the rights of juveniles in the custody or care of the state operated juvenile corrections facilities by ensuring allegations of abuse and neglect are investigated. The position is also responsible for reporting the findings of these investigations to all interested parties as laid out in state statute.
Responsibilities include:
Conduct confidential interviews of victims, witnesses, program staff, supervisory personnel, counseling/mental health personnel, medical personnel and chemical dependency counselors;
Review documentation: DOC administrative files on juveniles, disciplinary records, DOH medical records, educational records, mental health records;
Analyze the information gathered;
Prepare concise, well-written reports of the facts ascertained;
Review DOC rules, regulations, policies, and operational memoranda and apply them to the facts to determine whether violations exist;
Meet with the program residents as a group to inform them of the JCM position including how to contact, what the responsibilities of the position entail, and the expectations of the outcomes of investigations;
Provide written notification to every custodial parent and/or guardian of the newly committed juvenile of the JCM’s existence, job responsibilities, how to contact JCM, etc.;
Receive and investigate allegations from parents or guardians;
Provide training to all DOC staff at the STAR Academy during the new-hire pre-service training on the JCM position and report writing (pre-service and in-service);
Prepare a semi-annual report to the Governor, Secretaries of Corrections and Human Services, Government Operations Audit Committee, the Corrections Commission, and members of the Legislature;
Provide testimony as requested at the Government Operations and Audit Committee and the Corrections Commission on the activities of the JCM;
Provide an immediate written report with complete details to the Governor, Secretaries of Corrections and Human Services, as well as the Government Operations and Audit Committee when either abuse or neglect is substantiated including any testimony required by that determination;
Receive and review all reports of abuse from mandatory reporters in the Departments of Corrections and Social Services relating to juveniles in the juvenile corrections systems and conduct investigations if the abuse occurred during the juvenile’s residence in the DOC program;
Prepare and maintain case files of investigations conducted and all correspondence;
Take telephone calls reporting complaints and allegations against DOC staff regarding the treatment of juveniles committed to DOC from parents, guardians, and interested parties. Then determine an appropriate course of action or make referrals to the proper individuals to resolve the issue in question if the problem is not within the scope of the JCM’s jurisdiction;
Maintain confidentiality in all interviews, reports, and testimony;
Make recommendations for revising or updating STAR Academy policies;
Develop documents explaining the role of the JCM for distribution to new STAR employees and guardians;
Conduct other requested investigations;
Perform any other tasks as assigned.
This position is exempt from the Civil Service Act.
The Ideal Candidate Will Have:
A background in investigation, report writing, and public speaking is preferred.
Knowledge of:
Familiarity with the corrections system. The JCM is responsible for determining whether abuse or neglect exists within the juvenile corrections system. Making this determination requires an understanding of the corrections system and what actions are within the authority of the employees within the system.
Ability to:
The ability to conduct thorough investigations. Position conducts investigations into allegations of abuse and neglect of juveniles housed in the corrections system. Many of the juveniles interviewed have significant criminal histories, mental health and chemical dependency issues, sexual abuse histories, extremely manipulative behaviors, and criminal thinking patterns. It is necessary to consider all of these factors when assessing the validity, veracity, and trustworthiness of the information gathered.
The ability to communicate effectively orally and through written reports. This position requires direct reporting to the Governor, Secretaries of Corrections and Human Services, Government Operations and Audit Committee, Corrections Commission, and the Legislature. The JCM must be able to create well written semi-annual reports as well as in follow up to investigations that will be distributed to each of these entities. The JCM may also be called on to testify.
VETERANS’ PREFERENCE ELIGIBLE
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