Address
Form of workABOUT THE OFFICE:
The Northwestern District Attorney's Office (NWDAO) serves the people of Hampshire and Franklin counties and the town of Athol. In partnership with the communities it serves, the NWDAO is dedicated to the pursuit of truth, justice, and the protection of the public through fair and effective prosecutions and progressive prevention initiatives. Although the primary responsibility of the Office is prosecuting crime, we also have a strong focus on progressive education and prevention efforts in the areas of domestic & sexual violence, child abuse, juvenile justice, elders and persons with disabilities, and consumer protection. We are the law office of the People and are steadfast guardians of the rights and liberties of every citizen. We advocate for making our communities safer and stronger, while protecting civil rights and promoting social and racial justice.
MAIN FUNCTIONS: The Program Specialist is responsible for supporting the Program Director in establishing and implementing all aspects of the Northwestern District Attorney's Drug Diversion & Treatment Program (DDTP). Assist with establishment and implementation of the Adult Diversion Program (ADP). The description of the DDTP position is outlined below.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Screen and review all drug-related cases in the Greenfield and Orange District Courts while also serving as a backup for the Northampton and Eastern Hampshire District Courts for diversion eligibility. Help screen and administer alcohol-related cases for diversion, treatment, and community service as requested by assistant district attorneys. This will include the Second Step Drug Diversion and Treatment Program, an enhancement of DDTP.
• Identify eligible young adults who are charged with appropriate drug or drug-related cases for placement in the Drug Diversion & Treatment Program by communicating with assistant district attorneys, district court administrators, clerk-magistrates, probation officers, and police.
• Work with ADAs and DA staff on a regular basis to assist in managing, updating, and tracking drug-related and alcohol-related diversion cases.
• Coordinate all evaluation/assessment referrals for client/offenders to Clinical Support Options (CSO) and the Center for Human Development (CHD).
• Serve as a liaison between CSO, CHD and the Northwestern District Attorney's Office (NWDA). Maintain regular contact with these providers and obtain progress reports on all participants in the DDTP.
• Develop and coordinate necessary data collection and analysis for purposes of Byrne grant, the DDTP, crime reduction statistics, criminal recidivism rates, and legislative reporting and accountability.
• Attend any necessary court proceedings including arraignments and pre-trial conferences.
• Attend trainings on substance abuse, addiction, and recovery coaching.
• In cooperation with the NWDA's Community Outreach & Education Unit, present any substance abuse prevention programs developed by the NWDA or others, particularly on opioid abuse.
• Work on specialized opioid prevention initiatives, including the NWDA permanent and seasonal Drug Take Back programs.
• In collaboration with CHD and CSO, assist and monitor the deployment of recovery coaches to participants in the DDTP.
• Actively participate in substance abuse/opioid task forces dedicated to creating and implementing opioid prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with police, court staff, and community agencies to ensure effective communication.
• Serve as a resource for communities and schools for all opioid and alcohol prevention initiatives.
• Assist with the establishment and implementation of the Adult Diversion Program in the 4 District Courts. Handle caseload associated with such diversions.
• Any other duties or responsibilities as required.
BENEFITS:
The NWDAO offers a comprehensive benefits package to its employees. The overall benefits available include Paid Vacation, Sick and Personal Leave Time; Health, Dental and Vision Insurance through the Commonwealth's Group Insurance Commission; and a pre-tax Health Savings Account optional plan. In addition, the NWDAO provides employees the opportunity to elect Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Deferred Compensation Savings, Tuition Remission, along with other programs. NWDAO employees also participate in the Commonwealth's State Retirement Plan, which can become a defined benefit plan for those that both vest and subsequently retire from state service. The NWDAO provides the ability for new full-time employees to accrue two weeks of paid vacation leave per year, up to 5 personal days of leave per year (depending upon the quarter of the year that one's employment begins), 12 recognized state / federal paid holidays, and the opportunity to accrue up to 9.375 hours of paid sick leave per month.
Qualifications:
• Associate's degree.
• Knowledge of Massachusetts' criminal court system.
• Skill in interviewing to obtain needed information.
• Skill in communicating on a one-to-one basis and in groups.
• Ability to utilize and develop community resources to support the needs of drug dependent individuals.
• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to prepare written reports which contain recommendations, evaluations, statistical analysis, and technical material.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Must be able to demonstrate professional discretion and always maintain confidentiality.
• Knowledge of computers and relevant software applications, including excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of DAMION case management preferred.
The Northwestern District Attorney's Office (NWDAO) serves the people of Hampshire and Franklin counties and the town of Athol. In partnership with the communities it serves, the NWDAO is dedicated to the pursuit of truth, justice, and the protection of the public through fair and effective prosecutions and progressive prevention initiatives. Although the primary responsibility of the Office is prosecuting crime, we also have a strong focus on progressive education and prevention efforts in the areas of domestic & sexual violence, child abuse, juvenile justice, elders and persons with disabilities, and consumer protection. We are the law office of the People and are steadfast guardians of the rights and liberties of every citizen. We advocate for making our communities safer and stronger, while protecting civil rights and promoting social and racial justice.
MAIN FUNCTIONS: The Program Specialist is responsible for supporting the Program Director in establishing and implementing all aspects of the Northwestern District Attorney's Drug Diversion & Treatment Program (DDTP). Assist with establishment and implementation of the Adult Diversion Program (ADP). The description of the DDTP position is outlined below.
DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Screen and review all drug-related cases in the Greenfield and Orange District Courts while also serving as a backup for the Northampton and Eastern Hampshire District Courts for diversion eligibility. Help screen and administer alcohol-related cases for diversion, treatment, and community service as requested by assistant district attorneys. This will include the Second Step Drug Diversion and Treatment Program, an enhancement of DDTP.
• Identify eligible young adults who are charged with appropriate drug or drug-related cases for placement in the Drug Diversion & Treatment Program by communicating with assistant district attorneys, district court administrators, clerk-magistrates, probation officers, and police.
• Work with ADAs and DA staff on a regular basis to assist in managing, updating, and tracking drug-related and alcohol-related diversion cases.
• Coordinate all evaluation/assessment referrals for client/offenders to Clinical Support Options (CSO) and the Center for Human Development (CHD).
• Serve as a liaison between CSO, CHD and the Northwestern District Attorney's Office (NWDA). Maintain regular contact with these providers and obtain progress reports on all participants in the DDTP.
• Develop and coordinate necessary data collection and analysis for purposes of Byrne grant, the DDTP, crime reduction statistics, criminal recidivism rates, and legislative reporting and accountability.
• Attend any necessary court proceedings including arraignments and pre-trial conferences.
• Attend trainings on substance abuse, addiction, and recovery coaching.
• In cooperation with the NWDA's Community Outreach & Education Unit, present any substance abuse prevention programs developed by the NWDA or others, particularly on opioid abuse.
• Work on specialized opioid prevention initiatives, including the NWDA permanent and seasonal Drug Take Back programs.
• In collaboration with CHD and CSO, assist and monitor the deployment of recovery coaches to participants in the DDTP.
• Actively participate in substance abuse/opioid task forces dedicated to creating and implementing opioid prevention, intervention, treatment, and recovery initiatives.
• Work collaboratively with police, court staff, and community agencies to ensure effective communication.
• Serve as a resource for communities and schools for all opioid and alcohol prevention initiatives.
• Assist with the establishment and implementation of the Adult Diversion Program in the 4 District Courts. Handle caseload associated with such diversions.
• Any other duties or responsibilities as required.
BENEFITS:
The NWDAO offers a comprehensive benefits package to its employees. The overall benefits available include Paid Vacation, Sick and Personal Leave Time; Health, Dental and Vision Insurance through the Commonwealth's Group Insurance Commission; and a pre-tax Health Savings Account optional plan. In addition, the NWDAO provides employees the opportunity to elect Life Insurance, Long-Term Disability Insurance, Deferred Compensation Savings, Tuition Remission, along with other programs. NWDAO employees also participate in the Commonwealth's State Retirement Plan, which can become a defined benefit plan for those that both vest and subsequently retire from state service. The NWDAO provides the ability for new full-time employees to accrue two weeks of paid vacation leave per year, up to 5 personal days of leave per year (depending upon the quarter of the year that one's employment begins), 12 recognized state / federal paid holidays, and the opportunity to accrue up to 9.375 hours of paid sick leave per month.
Qualifications:
• Associate's degree.
• Knowledge of Massachusetts' criminal court system.
• Skill in interviewing to obtain needed information.
• Skill in communicating on a one-to-one basis and in groups.
• Ability to utilize and develop community resources to support the needs of drug dependent individuals.
• Excellent writing skills, including the ability to prepare written reports which contain recommendations, evaluations, statistical analysis, and technical material.
• Ability to multi-task.
• Must be able to demonstrate professional discretion and always maintain confidentiality.
• Knowledge of computers and relevant software applications, including excel and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of DAMION case management preferred.
