Divisional Rehabilitation Officer – Fiji Corrections Service (FCS)

JOB DESCRIPTIONS – DIVISIONAL REHABILITATION OFFICER
Job Description: Divisional Rehabilitation Officer – Fiji Corrections Service (FCS)
Position Title: Divisional Rehabilitation Officer
Reports to: Supervisor
Indirect Reports: Nil
Salary Bands: FCS51 [$28,815.00 – $51,458.00]
POSITION PURPOSE
Directly manage the process of the Sentence Planning Framework in order to determine the most correct and appropriate levels of remedy that should be administered to inmates as part of their rehabilitation during the in-care process.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Inform the Officer In Charge Sentence Planning immediately of any unusual incident or any matter of special interest
- Keep the Officer In Charge Sentence Planning fully informed of all matters affecting the education, welfare and rehabilitation of prisoners
- Monitors prisoners undertaking rehabilitation programs
- Assist in assessing Educational Standard and vocational needs of every prisoner pursuing the programme
- Ensure to coordinate with external providers for the requirement of facilitation of rehabilitation programmes for prisoners
- Liaise with the Psychologist for the evaluation and assessment of prisoners and programmes provided
- Ensure proper assessment of prisoners who are eligible for parole;
- Ensure proper management and supervision of parole
- Confer with special expertise for treatment and review of any identified symptom found on inmates that require special attention
- Ensure to maintain record of prisoner’s particulars undertaking rehabilitation programmes in his Division
- Assist the Institutional Rehabilitation Officers in conducting home visit
- Secretary for the Division Sentence Planning Board and member of the National Sentence Planning Board
- Refer to the OC Sentence Planning approved programs by DSPB for arrangement of facilitators
- Determine the level of support provided by family members, inmate’s church community, and the consent from his release mentor or employment agencies
- Confirm with the Supervisor of the Division all programmes to be undertaken in Prison
- Liaise with Divisional Counsellors for counselling of prisoners in the Division
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE
- Degree/Diploma/Certificates in rehabilitation counseling, social work, psychology, case manager or social service
- Have particular interest in the position and development of sentence planning programmers’
- Have good knowledge of issues impacting on programmers’ and prison procedures and routines
- Effective communicating, typing, PowerPoint presentation, technical skills, counseling and consultation skills
- Consistently good reports and potential and ability to manage and control staff and prisoners under his control
- A proven strong sense of di scipline is essential
- Tertiary qualification in appropriate and related field
- Minimum of 5-10years experience as custodial officers
KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPIs)
A. Planning and Policy
- Implementation of Departmental Corporate Plan in regards to vocational and education of prisoners through coordinating and liaising with institution managements.
- Provide advice to the Education and Rehabilitation Division for the need and requirement to assist compiling of budget
B. Organising and Operating
- Advise and assist in organizing the continuous development of the Unit and its members
- Reviewing and assessing progress, development and training and rehabilitation of individual prisoners
- Provide information and advice required by the Unit management to assist and support improvement needed on prisoners training, education and actual rehabilitation programmes.
- Ensure proper coordination of daily programmes.
C. PERSONNEL AND ORGANISATION
- Indicate prisoner actual needs and implement provision of training and education for achievement of objectives and strategies.
- Provide advice to management on personnel matter to ensure work and Unit priorities are met.
- Provide advice on prisoner’s capacity through assessment for proper matching of job market needs and job placement.
D. INTERACTION
- Officer in Charge, Sentence Planning Team for advice with matters concerning implementation, development and improvement of programmes.
- Discuss with Officers In Charge for development and proper monitoring of programmes within the relevant institutions
- Assist, liaise and coordinate initiated programmes with Unit and and Institution management.
- Advise prisoners on their needs and progress.
- Conduct fortnightly meeting with rehabilitation officers under his charge.
- Liaise with members of the Sentence Planning Team on issues related to prisoners sentence programme.
E. CONTROLLING, REGULATING AND REPORTING
- Provide progress report of all programmes on specified intervals
- Motivate, coordinate team to ensure control and report significant departures from accepted standards.
- Liaise with Officer In Charge of Institutions of any change pertaining to daily programmes
- Submit monthly report of all rehabilitation programmes and Yellow Ribbon activities in the Division
F. RESOURCE MANAGEMENT (human, physical, financial)
- Ensure proper utilization of resources;
- Assist and ensure subordinates compliance to reporting system, recording, regulations and procedures
- Implement financial, advice and report on expenditure deviation from financial regulation and Department allocation.
- Make recommendation on staff application promotion and transfer or movement to ensure efficiency, effectiveness and capability to expected work output.
- Maintain an effective system of reporting, recording and distribution of physical assets to ensure compliance with regulations and procedures.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Ability to assess the physical, emotional, mental health, and vocational needs of inmates
- Conduct risk assessments and factors contributing to criminal behavior
- Familiarity with CBT or other behavior modification techniques
- Ability provide immediate support and intervention during emotional or behavioral crises
- Ability to demonstrate strong substance abuse counselling skills
- Ability to design and implement rehabilitation programs, aimed at reducing recidivism
- Awareness of the diverse backgrounds of inmates and the ability to create programs that are culturally sensitive and inclusive
- Have the knowledge pf vocational training programs that prepare inmates for employment after release
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work closely with correctional officers, mental health professionals, caseworkers, and external service providers
- Administrative and Organization skills
- Strong leadership and team management abilities
- Monitor the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs and making adjustments
- Ability to work independently and make sound clinical judgments.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Compassion and ability to provide emotional support
- Knowledge of Correctional Standard Operating Procedures
- Skills in Emotional Stability, self-care and stress management
- Familiarize with Laws related to inmates rights and making ethical decision making
- Ability to handle high-stress environments and maintain professionalism in challenging situations.
WORKING CONDITIONS
The role as Divisional Rehabilitation Officer plays a significant role in reducing recidivism, improving inmate rehabilitation outcomes, and promoting successful reintegration into society. Flexible hours may be required, including weekend or emergency shifts.