Work Program Specialist I (#RP0650)
$20.47-$24.88 Hourly / $3,547.61-$4,312.15 Monthly / $42,571.43-$51,745.84 Yearly

Under general supervision, performs responsible interviewing, monitoring and clerical work in the inmate work furlough, alternative work and related programs; and does related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3, of the Civil Service Rules.

This is the first level in the Work Program Specialist series but requires journey level experience and skills in dealing with inmates, site coordinators and others and in processing and maintaining inmate records. Incumbents exercise independent judgment and action in carrying out the day-to-day activities of the program following established policies and procedures.

• Interviews and screens work program applicants; determines initial eligibility following established guidelines; may contact employers, other agencies and others to process applicants and determine eligibility.
• Advises applicants of program requirements and procedures; counsels applicants and participants on their rights and responsibilities.
• Supervises work program participants; contacts site supervisors to verify participation; conducts site inspections and audits to monitor compliance with the program.
• Investigates violations of program regulations and procedures; prepares documents to return to custody participants who fail to comply with program regulations and procedures.
• Maintains program records and files; computes and collects fees; issues receipts; maintains statistical and financial records; prepares and types a variety of correspondence, forms, and reports.
• Operates a variety of equipment including calculators, typewriters and computer terminals.
• Gathers and processes information from a variety of sources; furnishes information to inmates and the public to promote the program.
• May act as lead worker over others.

Either: Two years of general clerical experience involving substantial public contact, one year of which must be at a level equivalent to Senior Office Assistant in San Joaquin County service.

Principles and techniques of interviewing; basic mathematics; principles and techniques of maintaining statistical and simple financial records; personal computer systems and office computer software; methods of locating and verifying information and of using source materials; language mechanics public relations techniques; general psychology; cultural and normal and abnormal human behavior; general procedures and practices of an inmate custodial facility.

Collect accurate information from interviews and correspondence; gather, record and evaluate information; read, understand and apply written regulations and other job related material; understand and follow oral and written instructions; review work for accuracy and procedural conformance; deal tactfully and firmly with hostile and anti-social clients; establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; communicate effectively both orally and in writing; utilize advanced office procedures and equipment; ability to perform extensive keyboarding on one or more computer software programs; ability to input data at the rate of 40 words per minute.

Mobility – operation of a data entry device, repetitive motion, sitting for long periods, walking; occasional standing, pushing, pulling, bending, squatting, climbing; Lifting – frequently 5 pounds or less; occasionally 5 to 30 pounds; Visual – constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; frequent color perception and use of eye hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Hearing/Talking – frequent hearing of normal speech, hearing/talking on the telephone, talking in person; Emotional/Psychological - frequent decision making, concentration, public contact, and potential contact with hostile individuals; Special Requirements – some assignments may require working weekends, nights, and/or occasional overtime; Environmental – occasional exposure to varied weather conditions.

San Joaquin County complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and, upon request, will consider reasonable accommodations to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.