What you will be doing:
The Protective Services Specialist will provide and/or supervise a wide range of social services needed for reentrants to transition from prison to the community. The PSS will show knowledge of social work principles and methods of helping adults, children, and families achieve more adequate, satisfying, and productive social adjustments.

Our organization, mission and culture:
The Reentry Unit operates under the Health and Rehabilitation Services Division. This Division follows the Core Values of respect for all, integrity honoring those we serve, compassion in doing our jobs without judgment of inmates or their families, teamwork, safety, and growth that shows a thirst for knowledge and self-improvement. The Protective Services Specialist 2 will be an integral part of the Reentry Unit team, working with staff in all areas of HARS, with the correctional institutions, with community organizations and service providers, and with staff in other government departments.

The benefits of joining our team:
Working in a newly formed unit offers the opportunity for innovation and creativity. With the Reentry Unit's goal of reducing recidivism, the Protective Services Specialist 2 will bring together the services statewide for assisting people in successfully transitioning from a correctional institution to the community.

The working environment you can expect:
The Protective Services Specialist 2 will be located at Anchorage's Central Office, working alongside the team in the Reentry Unit. Each day will be different from the last as the Reentry Unit members spend time getting to know the inmates in the institutions and in the communities to which they will return.

Who we are looking for:
The Protective Services Specialist 2 will have these knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Working knowledge of the techniques and principles of social casework.
• Working knowledge of dynamics of human behavior of individuals and groups.
• Working knowledge of basic principles and techniques of case management.
• Ability to develop and implement social work case plans or treatment plans.
• Ability to utilize relevant personality theory, casework method and consultation in social work and casework practices.
• Ability to maintain effective relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.

Minimum Qualifications

Any combination of education and/or experience that provides the applicant with competencies in

• Analytical Thinking/Problem Solving: Uses a logical, systematic, and sequential approach to address problems or opportunities or manage a situation by drawing on one’s knowledge and experience base and calling on other references and resources as necessary.
• Customer Service:(*) Works with clients and customers (that is, any individuals who use or receive the services or products that your work unit produces, including the general public, individuals who work in the agency, other agencies, or organizations outside State government) to assess their needs, provide information or assistance, resolve their problems, or satisfy their expectations; knows about available products and services; is committed to providing quality products and services.
• Integrity/Honesty:(*) Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self, and others; is trustworthy.
• Interpersonal Skills: Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences.
• Oral Communication:(*) Expresses information (for example, ideas or facts) to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information (for example, technical, sensitive, controversial); makes clear and convincing oral presentations; listens to others, attends to nonverbal cues, and responds appropriately.
• Writing: Recognizes or uses correct English grammar, punctuation, and spelling; communicates information (for example, facts, ideas, or messages) in a succinct and organized manner; produces written information, which may include technical material, that is appropriate for the intended audience.

equivalent to those typically gained by
“Typically gained by” means the prevalent, usual method of gaining the competencies expected for entry into the job.

“Training” and “education” in this guidance are synonyms for the process of acquiring knowledge and skills through instruction. It includes instruction through formal and informal methods (such as classroom, on-line, self-study, and on-the-job), from accredited and unaccredited sources, and long-duration (such as a post-secondary degree) and short-duration (such as a seminar) programs.

“Progressively responsible” means indicating growth and/or advancement in complexity, difficulty, or level of responsibility.

“Professional experience” means 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 power or right to decide or act according to one's own judgment.

Special Note:
Some positions require a valid Alaska driver's license and/or a background investigation including fingerprinting. These requirements will be indicated at the time of recruitment.

Additional Required Information

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Please provide the following documents prior to your interview:

• Copies of your 3 most recent job evaluations
• Educational Transcripts

COVER LETTER
A cover letter is required for this position. This cover letter will serve as a writing sample and should address these areas:

• Please describe your experience working with case management.
• Please describe your experience in coordinating with other agencies and staff to accomplish shared goals.
• Please describe your experience working with individuals and with groups.
• Please describe your involvement with community organizations.

SPECIAL NOTE: SALARY
The starting salary for this position is dependent upon both difficulty in recruitment and the exceptional qualifications of the successful candidate as compared to the applicant pool.

PREA NOTIFICATION
The Department of Corrections follows and maintains federal and state requirements standards including, but not limited to, Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) standards which apply to all public and private institutions that house adult or juvenile offenders. PREA standards preclude the department from hiring or promoting anyone who has engaged in, or been convicted of any conduct which would violate PREA standards related to sexual assault including:

• Sexual abuse in a prison, jail, lockup, community confinement facility, juvenile facility, or other institution;
• Convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; or
• Has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described above.

EDUCATION
If post-secondary education is required to meet the minimum qualifications, you must fill in the Education section of the application. If you have not obtained a degree, please indicate the number of units completed. Copies of transcripts are required to verify educational credentials if used to meet the minimum qualifications for a position. Transcripts can be attached at the time of application or provided at the time of interview, at the discretion of the hiring manager.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR FOREIGN EDUCATION
Education completed in foreign colleges, universities, or high schools may be used to meet the minimum qualifications listed above. If utilizing this education, you must show that the education credentials have been submitted to a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign educational credentials and that such education has been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education programs; or an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution reports the other institution as one whose transcript is given full value, or full value is given in subject areas applicable to the curricula at the post-secondary institution or high school. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying.

WORK EXPERIENCE
If using work experience in your Applicant Profile, you must also provide the employer name, your job title, dates of employment and whether full or part-time. Applicant Profiles will be reviewed to determine if the responses are supported and Minimum Qualifications are clearly met. If they are not, the applicant may not advance to the interview and selection phase of the recruitment.

CRIMINAL HISTORY CHECKS/APSIN/ACOMS
Please be aware – this position requires the use of the Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN)/Alaska Corrections Offender Management System (ACOMS). A security clearance issued by the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is necessary to use APSIN/ACOMS. DPS will deny security clearance for any applicant who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor in this state or another jurisdiction, or who may be a fugitive from justice. Additionally, security clearance will be withdrawn if DPS discovers that material information was falsified or omitted at the time of the initial application for security clearance.

FINGERPRINT NOTICE
All Department of Corrections employees are required to be fingerprinted. The successful candidate must pass a criminal history check.

MULTIPLE VACANCIES NOTICE
This recruitment may be used for more than one (1) vacancy. The applicant pool acquired during this recruitment may be used for future vacancies for up to ninety (90) days after this recruitment closes. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply to each recruitment notice to ensure consideration for all vacancies.

NOTICE
Questions regarding the application process can be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465- 4095. If you choose to be contacted by email, please ensure your email address is correct on your application and that the spam filter will permit email from the 'govermentjobs.com' domains. For information on allowing emails from the 'governmentjobs.com' domains, visit the Lost Password Help page located at https://www.governmentjobs.com/js_lostpswd.cfm?&topheader=alaska.

EEO STATEMENT
The State of Alaska complies with Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Individuals with disabilities, who require accommodation, auxiliary aides or services, or alternative communication formats, please call 1-800-587-0430 or 465-4095 in Juneau or (907) 465-3412 (TTY) or correspond with the Division of Personnel & Labor Relations at the address above. The State of Alaska is an equal opportunity employer.

WORKPLACE ALASKA APPLICATION QUESTIONS & ASSISTANCE
Questions regarding application submission or system operation errors should be directed to the Workplace Alaska hotline at 1-800-587-0430 (toll free) or (907) 465-4095 if you are located in the Juneau area. Requests for information may also be emailed to recruitment.services@alaska.gov.

For applicant password assistance please visit: https://www.governmentjobs.com/js_lostpswd.cfm?&topheader=alaska

Contact Information

Stacie Williamson
Reentry Program Coordinator
stacie.williamson@alaska.gov

The following information describes typical benefits available to employees of the State of Alaska. Actual benefits received may differ by bargaining unit or branch of government, position type, or be prorated for other than full time work.

For a quick breakdown of the insurance, health, and retirement benefits available for State Employees you can view an orientation video from Division of Retirement and Benefits. (Please note this video is specifically designed for new State Employees.)

Insurance Benefits

• Health insurance, which includes employer contributions toward medical/vision/dental
  • The following employee groups are under AlaskaCare Benefits administered by the State: See http://doa.alaska.gov/drb/programs/index.html for additional information.
    • AVTEC
    • Confidential
    • Correctional Officers
    • Marine Engineers
    • Mt. Edgecumbe Teachers
    • Supervisory
    • Unlicensed Vessel Personnel/Inland Boatman's Union
    • Exempt employees (not covered by collective bargaining)
  • The following employee groups are covered by Union health trusts. Contact the appropriate Union for additional information.
    • General Government
    • Labor, Trades and Crafts
    • Public Safety Employees Association
    • Masters, Mates & Pilots
• Employer paid Basic Life insurance with additional coverage available (amount depends on Bargaining Unit)

• Group-based insurance premiums for
  • Term life (employee, spouse or qualified same sex partner, and dependents)
  • Long-term and short-term disability
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment
  • Long-term care (self and eligible family members)
  • Supplemental Survivor Benefits
• Employee-funded flexible spending accounts for tax savings on eligible health care or dependent care expenses

Retirement Benefits

• Membership in the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS)/Teachers' Retirement System (TRS)
• Matching employer contribution into a defined contribution program (new employees)
• Employer contribution into a defined benefit or defined contribution program (current employees)
• Contributions to the Alaska Supplemental Annuity Plan in lieu of contributions to Social Security
• Option to enroll in the Alaska Deferred Compensation Program
• Note: The Defined Contribution Plan, Supplemental Annuity Plan and Deferred Compensation Program offer a variety of investment options

Paid Leave & Other Benefits

• Personal leave with an accrual rate increase based on time served
• Eleven paid holidays a year
• Gym discounts at participating fitness providers in multiple locations throughout the state.

See http://doa.alaska.gov/drb/ghlb/employee/health/gymListing.html for additional information