www.centerforce.org

Centerforce provides education, information, and support services to people impacted by incarceration. We are currently seeking a dynamic individual to join our direct service team. This position will provide HIV prevention services, including comprehensive risk counseling and services, to incarcerated women prior to and post release from custody.

General Summary:
The HIV Prevention Specialist will provide comprehensive risk counseling and transitional case management services, for women incarcerated at Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) and the Valley State Prison for Women (VSPW). The position will be based out of Centerforce’s Fresno office.

Essential Functions:

• Comprehensive Risk Counseling and Services for the Project START Program: Recruit and enroll eligible clients, and provide four semi-structured sessions prior to release and two semi-structured sessions following release. Project START is an HIV prevention intervention for people leaving incarcerated settings funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The sessions involve providing HIV information, assisting clients in identifying their HIV risk behaviors, supporting them to establish HIV prevention goals, and guiding them in achieving these goals upon their release. Other components of the program include assisting the women in identifying their other transitional needs and goals post-release and supporting them in accessing resources to support achieving those goals following their release. Clients are women incarcerated at Central California Women’s Facility (CCWF) and the Valley State Prison for Women (VSPW) during incarceration and after release. Responsibilities include: developing individual risk assessment and action plans with clients prior to release from prison, making linkages with community service agencies with/on behalf of clients living in Fresno, Merced and Madera counties, and providing follow-up support and ongoing resource assistance for clients post-release. Significant travel via car to the institutions and these counties may be required. Centerforce has a vehicle for this purpose. The Intervention Specialist will be required to complete various forms and case notes documenting services provided. A formal training of the program that will likely involve out of state travel for 5-6 days is required.

• Other Duties: As needed.

Qualifications:
A degree in Health Education, Social Work, or related field and/or 2-3 years of related experience in the health field with incarcerated, substance users and/or other high-risk populations is highly desired. Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team and with people from diverse ethnic, cultural, economic, sexual orientation, and gender identification communities is required. Successful candidate is able to attend to details effectively, prioritize and balance multiple competing demands, has strong administrative and organizational skills, meets deadlines and maintains paperwork requirements. Valid driver’s license and car insurance required. Ability to work within the prison system is required.

All program staff are required to undergo training and security clearance by the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) of the State of California. Selected applicants will be required to submit the following information for CDCR clearance in order to complete this process: full name, California drivers license #, social security #, and date of birth.

Length of Position:
This position is currently funded through June 30, 2012. The funding is expected to be extended at least through June 30, 2013 and likely until 2015.

Application Procedures:
Please email (or fax to 415.456.2146) your resume with a cover letter detailing why you are a good candidate and salary needs no later than 5pm February 9, 2012.

• Location: Fresno, Ca
• Compensation: Range: $34,000 to $38,000. Other benefits offered as well.
• This is at a non-profit organization.
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