INMATE ADVOCATE PENAL INSTITUTION
Inmate Advocate Penal Institution sits in the competitive class of New Jersey's local-government civil service, so reaching it runs through testing and an eligible list instead of a straight hire.
It lists a bachelor's degree as the baseline, with an experience-based path open to those who do not hold the degree.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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Inmate Advocate Penal Institution is a local service title. It is filled by the counties, municipalities, authorities and other employers that have adopted civil service under Title 11A, not by State departments. Those employers set pay by ordinance or contract rather than from a State salary schedule, which is why most local titles carry no salary range here.
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Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the direction, receives, investigates and provides recommendations to resolve the complaints of penal and/or correctional institution inmates to ensure their rights are protected; does related work.
Examples of work
Conducts and supervises the conduct of investigations of inmate complaints and provides recommendations for corrective action. Intervenes to prevent official error, abuse and neglect of inmates. Attempts to identify and address potential problematic situations. Visits inmates to discuss, evaluate and resolve grievances and complaints. Encourages the constructive expression of frustrations and other feelings. Meets with representatives from Prosecutor's Office, Municipal Court Judges, and Public Defenders to obtain early releases. Reviews and evaluates allegations of maladministration by custody staff. Provides recommendations for administrative and statutory changes. Answers questions of inmates and other institutional staff. Interprets and explains laws and rules relating to inmates rights to counsel. Interprets and explains statutes to custody staff. Prepares reports on grievances and complaints; recommends changes to eliminate repetition of similar complaints. Establishes and maintains cooperative working relationships with inmates and correctional staff. Maintains records and files. Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
License
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the social, economic and psychological problems of persons confined to penal institutions. Knowledge of interviewing and counseling techniques. Knowledge of the methods used to collect and analyze data. Ability to interpret laws, rules and regulations and apply them to specific situations. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with inmates and correctional staff. Ability to identify patterns or trends of complaints and take corrective action. Ability to conduct and supervise the conduct of investigations of complaints. Ability to review and evaluate complaints and allegations. Ability to prepare reports. Ability to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, and communicate in English sufficiently to perform duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Applicants must meet one of the following or a combination of both experience and education. Thirty (30) semester-hour credits are equal to one (1) year of relevant experience. Six (6) years of professional experience providing guidance and counseling services or, in the investigation and resolution of grievances and complaints. OR Possession of a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university; and two (2) years of the above-mentioned professional experience. "Professional experience" refers to work that is creative, analytical, evaluative, and interpretive; requires a range and depth of specialized knowledge of the profession's principles, concepts, theories, and practices; and is performed with the authority to act according to one's own judgment and make accurate and informed decisions.