Correctional Advisor

A career with Johnson County Government is more than just a job, it is an opportunity to serve a diverse and expanding community in meaningful ways. We challenge ourselves to be a different kind of government because we care deeply about our community and each other. Committed to our shared values, we provide excellent public service, seeking always to improve ourselves and our organization. We offer wonderful benefits, retirement plans, wellness incentives, a great organizational culture, and much more! If you’re searching for something more than just a job, something akin to a calling, then consider the challenge and opportunity of being a member of Johnson County Government!

Posting will remain open until filled or until 12/13/2024.  The next review of applications will be on November 26, 2024, and occur weekly until the posting is filled or closed.  

Start Dates for this position are 12/02/2024, 12/16/2024, 1/13/2025, and 1/27/2025

Johnson County Department of Corrections is looking for qualified applicants to fill the position of Correctional Advisor at the Adult Residential Center in New Century, Kansas.  Posting will remain open until filled.  Qualified applicants will remain as an active candidate for a period of up to 90 days.

The mission of the Department of Corrections is leading by example, we support and protect our community by encouraging responsibility and positive lasting change for a better future.  A Correctional Advisor supports all functions within the Adult Residential Center (ARC). The ARC is a minimum security correctional facility serving adult offenders on an open campus. We strive to cultivate an environment of responsibility and accountability through the use of evidence-based behavior change practices. 

Correctional Advisors are direct care staff who continually interact with clients from various backgrounds with criminal records ranging from misdemeanor to felony convictions. Our population consists of high-risk offenders in need of substance abuse treatment, mental health services, employment/technical skills, education, and basic life skills.  Our overriding objective is to establish a stable foundation for re-entry back into the community.  The ARC consist of three components to meet the specific needs of the clients: Residential, Work Release and Therapeutic Community. The Residential component serves clients assigned to probation supervision; the Work Release component serves county and state inmates transitioning back into the community from jail or prison; and, the Therapeutic Community provides intensive substance abuse treatment for clients with extreme substance abuse issues. ARC has an open campus environment that is different than traditional correctional facilities because clients work in the community and reside at the ARC until their release.

Correctional Advisors do not carry lethal or less-than-lethal weapons and do not physically engage offenders unless it is for the purposes of self-defense or the defense of others. The ARC is a 24-hour operation and shift work and overtime is required. As a CA, you will have the opportunity and responsibility to help shape behaviors and create lasting change in each client you interact with. 

Working directly with clients is expected in order to:

• Build healthy relationships, serve as a role-model for appropriate prosocial behavior and attitudes;

• Teach and model basic expectations and provide frequent positive reinforcement;

• Seek opportunities to teach new behaviors, coping skills, de-escalation techniques and emotion regulation; and

• Provide a secure and clean working environment by conducting routine personal and physical plant searches.

It takes a special and unique person to work in this environment.  We are looking for:  

• Individuals that can be highly adaptable to change, exemplify teamwork, and support each function within the ARC;

• Individuals that are able to manage their emotions and maintain temperament under stressful conditions; and,

• Individuals that possess integrity, professionalism, humility, humor, and respect.

The job is demanding and challenging at times, but it is also incredibly rewarding too.

The starting wage for this position without experience will start at the minimum of the grade

For more information regarding the duties of a Correctional Advisor, click on this link for a realistic job preview video:  https://youtu.be/kOdyp6va8fw

Minimum Job Requirements:

Twenty-one (21) years of age or older; possess a high school diploma or its equivalent; successfully pass a criminal history check; and possess a valid driver’s license with an acceptable driving record.

Applicant must submit to and pass a pre-employment, post-offer drug screen and pass a physical ability test prior to employment.

Johnson County Government requires reference/background screening for all positions.  Specified criteria may vary by Department/Agency.

Preferred Qualifications:

Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice, Behavioral Sciences or related fields and previous corrections or criminal justice related experience.

Physical, Environmental, and Special Working Conditions:

Excessive standing and/or walking: 60%

Lifting: Successful completion of physical ability test which includes dragging up to 125 pounds and lifting 50 lbs.

Running in response to emergency situations and self-defense training.

On call/stand-by work required.

Shift work.

Safety-sensitive job.

Weather Essential job:  Department and County Essential 

Uniform required.

Successful completion of physical ability test which includes dragging up to hundred and twenty five (125) pounds, lifting fifty (50) pounds, patting down residents, responding to emergency calls, walking up and down 36 stairs, and donning protective equipment.