Talbot County, Maryland

Summary:

The Problem Solving Court (PSC) is a post-sentence model designed to help those who are seeking to overcome substance use disorders and related criminal offenses. It is the mission of PSC to reduce drug dependency through a structured specialty docket that consists of four phases, frequent monitoring, and regular court reviews. Intervention by the program holds the participants accountable while reducing substance use and overdoses, therefore, strengthening the safety of the individual and our community. The PSC Case Manager is responsible for providing case management services to adults participating in PSC Program. The PSC Case Manager will link participants with and oversee the ancillary service component of the program. The Case Manager will obtain and provide regular compliance reports to the Program Coordinator and Judicial Officers about case management meeting attendance, phase accomplishments, and compliance with program objectives and court orders. Information obtained during the performance of these duties may be confidential or private in nature and should be treated as such. Employees in this classification do not perform in a clinical capacity and are not offered supervision hours. Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions but do provide intensive participant monitoring. The incumbent reports to the Program Coordinator, Court Administrator, and County Administrative Judge.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty successfully. The requirements listed below are a sample and not exhaustive of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations will be made in accordance with applicable laws to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Conducts new referral interviews with candidates for the PSC program. This requires an elevated level of communication with attorneys, service providers, detention center staff, probation agents, and other community partners. Risk and Need Triage forms are completed, collaborated information is collected, and self-reported information regarding substance and mental health history is reviewed. 
• Obtains and verifies information regarding participants’ personal background and criminal history, such as: place and length of residence, living conditions, transportation needs, educational and family background, records of prior offenses, history of substance abuse, medical problems and any other issues that might affect the compliance and success of the potential participant.
• The case manager outlines the program’s rules and participation requirements to help identify participants' unmet needs; makes appropriate referrals to address those needs; assists in carrying out those referrals; monitors their effectiveness and participant compliance; and obtains updates and compliance reports from external service providers and mental health or substance abuse treatment providers.
• Develops, recommends, and monitors case plans intended to improve the overall reduction of substance use, steps toward self-improvement and self-sufficiency, and achievement of participants within the community; and ensures that participants are following orders, scheduling/attending appointments, submitting to all treatment directives by communicating with treatment, service providers, and partnering agencies.
• Facilitates access and provides referrals to employment training and work programs, affordable housing, government benefits and services, health care planning and maintenance, financial and debt planning, community service projects, legal assistance programs, and other applicable services.
• Maintains current documentation, completes all clerical requirements regarding the entry of and communication with program participants.  Prepares and maintains reports, case records, and progress summaries.  Enters data to include, but not limited to logging all actions taken, correspondence received or transmitted, referrals made, and contacts with PSC Participants in program case action logs.   
• Enters all demographic data, action taken, correspondence received/sent, court proceedings and other applicable components into statewide automated tracking system in timely (weekly) and precise manner according to policy; documents any other component required by grant funder.
• Participates in pre-court meetings with Judicial Officers and PSC Team to convey case specific updates, review case plans, and determine further information/action needed for participant success.
• Researches and visits public and private service agencies such as: drug/alcohol rehabilitation programs, mental health treatment providers, educational and vocational training programs to develop a knowledge base of available community resources.
• Stays current with trends, best practices, and innovations in the field by reading professional publications, maintaining professional networks and other educational opportunities.  Regularly attends trainings offered for PSC Staff. 
• Performs other duties as assigned. In such times that a Program Coordinator vacancy/absence exists, perform supportive duties to maintain grant requirements and program processes at the discretion of the Court Administrator.

Qualifications:

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of all terminology, applicable laws, ordinances, policies, standards, and regulations pertaining to substance use and problem-solving court programs.
• Knowledge of clinical services, criminal justice events, and life skills management.
• Knowledge of and ability to apply fundamentals of business English, spelling, grammar, punctuation, standard office practices and procedures, accurate data entry and basic MS Office computer skills.
• Knowledge of services offered by public and private facilities in the areas of substance abuse, health and welfare, employment, educational and vocational training in and around Talbot County, Maryland.
• Knowledge of HIPAA, 42 CFR Part 2, health care reform, and other applicable regulations required to comply with state and federal confidentiality laws.
• Skilled customer service, patience, and demeanor with ability to be an empathetic advocate to support participants’ needs.
• Skilled in upholding ethical conduct to include: establishing professional boundaries with clients while maintaining ethical distance;  performing job functions that are within her/his scope of training or certification and facilitates services that call for an expertise that transcends the case manager’s training or authority; informing the client that information obtained through the case management interactions may be disclosed to third parties (e.g., the PSC Team, service providers to that individual, etc.) with respect to confidentiality laws;  behaving in accordance with the law and does not engage in acts of dishonesty, fraud, and misrepresentation; and disclosing conflicts of interest. 
•  Skilled in communicating professionally and effectively with participants, Judicial Officers, court personnel, attorneys, law enforcement officials, and staff from public and private service agencies, including with those with diminished education, mental or physical abilities. This also includes ability to read body language, probe for information in a non-threating manner, and ability to develop rapport and trust with the participants.
• Ability to work the part-time schedule as agreed upon with management with flexibility to accommodate morning or evening hours for travel, court start/end times, meetings, and conferences.
• Ability to maintain a regular, punctual, and reliable level of attendance.
• Ability to competently testify and/or orally present information in court proceedings.
• Ability to make independent decisions based on experience, good judgment, problem-solving skills, and established policies and procedures.
• Superior attention to detail for client case files, case management, composing, typing, and proofing materials; ability to set priorities, and simultaneously process multiple duties and responsibilities.

 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate degree or completion of a Certificate Program in: Case Management, Human Services, social work, psychology, criminal justice, behavior modification, public health, sociology, or a related field from an accredited college or university. A minimum of five years of relevant professional experience may be considered as a substitute for a formal degree.   Licenses and Certificates are not a requirement for employment.
• Two years of related work or case management experience preferably in the field of addictions, behavioral health, human/family services, health services, public safety, or court management.  Five years of experience in related field
• Demonstrated proficiency in the full Microsoft Office Suite, Windows 10, email, and ability to learn other computer software as required.
• Superior writing skills and command of the English language.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, empathy for participants, and an even temperament.
• Excellent organizational skills and customer service, as well as competence in a fast-paced environment.
• Must have and maintain a valid driver’s license.

Physical Demands:

• Required ability to transport self to attend court hearings, meetings, and trainings in various locations.
• Required ability to transport self to Annapolis, Maryland area for trainings and conferences, which occur once quarterly, on average.
• Preferred ability and willingness to travel out-of-state for trainings and conferences specifically related to substance use disorder and problem-solving courts, which occur twice per year, or less, on average.

Work Environment:

Courtroom/ Office settings. 

Other:

This position is grant funded therefore the salary and fringe benefits provided are contingent upon the Court receiving funding from the Office of Problem Solving Courts Drug Treatment Court Grant program through the Administrative Office of the Courts.

Conditions of Employment: A criminal background check and drug screening will be required before the successful applicant is hired in accordance with the Talbot County Commissioners. Must adhere to the policy on a drug free workplace. The employer reserves the right to reject any or all applicants, re-advertise and/or withdraw the position. Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States. This position is a contractual grant funded position subject to the personnel policies and procedures set-forth in the Handbook of Governing Rules and Regulations for Talbot County as well as the Maryland Judiciary policies.

At Will Employment: Talbot County Problem Solving Court employees are at-will employees and serve at the discretion of the Administrative Judge and Court Administrator. This means that either an employee, or the Court, may terminate the employee relationship at any time, with or without cause. There are no contractual relationships between the Circuit Court and an employee. Letters, benefit or policy statements, performance evaluations, handbooks, or other employee communications should not be interpreted as a contractual relationship. The at-will relationship remains in full force and effect notwithstanding any statements to the contrary made by court personnel or set forth in any documents.

EEO Employer: The Circuit Court for Talbot County is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity in the workplace. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, familial status, genetic information, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by State or Federal law. Applicants who need an ADA Accommodation for an interview should request the accommodation only when notified of the offer to be interviewed.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described.  Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performance of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Application:

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Talbot County is an equal opportunity employer. The county does not discriminate on any basis prohibited by federal, state, or local law.