Vocational Instructor (Safety) (Various Specialties) Consolidated Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established August 1, 2000

Scope

This consolidated series specification describes classes used by the Department of Developmental Services, Department of Mental Health, or at correctional facilities or psychiatric outpatient clinics contracting with the Department of Mental Health for diagnostic and treatment services, which are concerned with providing instruction in trade and vocational subjects to, and participating in, the rehabilitation of forensic clients, patients, or inmates who are developmentally or mentally disordered offenders. Specific classes have been established for the following specialties.

Definition of Series

Incumbents in these specialty classes assist developmentally, mentally, or physically disordered offenders residing in State developmental centers, hospitals, or correctional facilities contracting with the Department of Mental Health for diagnostic and treatment services to become productive and contributing members of society by training them in a trade or the vocational skills necessary to gain employment and by assisting these individuals in developing socially acceptable attitudes and interests. The instructors give both individual and group instruction and participate as members of an interdisciplinary treatment team. Instructors supervise the conduct of forensic clients, patients, or inmates while in the classroom or shop and may be called upon to assume general custody responsibilities in time of emergency.

Distinguishing Characteristics

This consolidated series of classes is distinguished from the classes in the Vocational Instructor consolidated class series by the custody requirements imposed by the criminal nature of the forensic client, patient, or inmate population and by the security features of correctional facilities, developmental centers, and State hospitals.

Typical Tasks

The using departments have differing programs and, therefore, place emphasis on differing duties, but in general, the instructor has an important role in the total rehabilitation process, as well as in teaching the skills which will train the individual for occupational opportunities in a specialty field. The instructor's tasks include: planning, assigning, and supervising the work of forensic clients, patients, or inmates; maintaining control and discipline in the classroom or shop; controlling all materials and equipment which may be used as potential weapons; preparing course work and daily lesson plans; counseling forensic clients, patients, or inmates as to their progress in the instructional program and working with forensic clients, patients, or inmates in establishing and meeting educational or vocational rehabilitative needs and goals; participating in program evaluation; participating in Trade Advisory Committee meetings; performing other related duties; and observing and intervening in instances of disruptive or assaultive behavior.

Assists staff in the counting, distribution, and accounting for all utensils to prevent their use as weapons; inspecting the facility to identify security breaches that could lead to forensic client, patient, or inmate escape; and observing and intervening in forensic client, patient, or inmate behavior that may signal an impending escape attempt.

Instructors may be assigned as relief instructors in specialties other than those for which they have been hired. In addition, instructors may work with treatment teams that combine the services of custody, academic, vocational, psychiatric, and casework personnel. The instructor provides information of an educational nature which will assist other members of the treatment team to better determine each forensic client's, patient's, or inmate's treatment needs. Once a treatment plan is developed, the Vocational Instructor, through the classroom curriculum, provides the types of experiences that are compatible with this plan.

Minimum Qualifications

All Instructors:

Credential: Possession of a valid California teaching credential which authorizes the holder to teach, on a full-time basis, a vocational course in the appropriate subject specialty or Industrial Arts subspecialty. Applicants who do not possess this credential may take the examination, but must meet the requirements and have an application on file with the Commission on Teacher Credentialing for the appropriate credential before an appointment can be made and must secure the credential within 120 working days after appointment. After issuance, the credential must be maintained by completion of any required examinations of course work.

Knowledge and Abilities

All Instructors:

Knowledge of: The methods, materials, tools, machines, equipment, and safety principles involved in teaching a particular vocational specialty. In addition, candidates must be willing to learn the principles, methods, practices, current developments, and trends in vocational education.

Ability to: Perform the duties of a journeyperson in the field of their specialty. Instructors must also have the ability to provide leadership and motivation to forensic clients, patients, or inmates of State developmental centers, hospitals, or correctional facilities contracting with the Department of Mental Health for diagnostic and treatment services; teach and supervise these individuals; work effectively with other disciplines; read and use drawings and sketches; estimate and order supplies; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; maintain fair and firm discipline; keep records and prepare reports.

Special Personal Characteristics

All Instructors:

An interest and a willingness to work at developmental centers, State hospitals, or correctional facilities contracting with the Department of Mental Health for diagnostic and treatment services; must be willing to continue their educational development; participate in group-oriented treatment programs; maintain a sympathetic and objective understanding of the problems of developmentally, mentally, or physically disordered offenders; maintain high standards of morals and speech; tolerance; tact; patience; and emotional stability.

Special Physical Characteristics

All Instructors:

Possession and maintenance of sufficient strength, agility, and endurance to perform during physically, mentally, and emotionally stressful and emergency situations encountered on the job without endangering their own health and well-being or that of their fellow employees, forensic clients, patients, inmates, or the public.

Drug Testing Requirement

Vocational Instructor (Upholstering Safety)

Applicants for positions in this class are required to pass a drug-screening test. (The drug-screening test will be waived for employees who are currently in a designated "sensitive" class for which drug testing is required under State Personnel Board Rule 213.)

Class History