Alternative Sentencing Intake Specialist #1854 - Pretrial Services Program - Public Safety

Hamilton County; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Hamilton County Government is seeking a detail-oriented coordinator to assist in placing defendants into Community Corrections and related programs. You will interview clients, gather data, perform eligibility checks, and maintain accurate records across various departments.

The role requires interpreting state statutes, county policies, and court processes, with responsibilities including attending hearings and possibly testifying.

Qualifications

• Equivalent of a high school diploma and 1 year of direct work experience in Criminal Justice, Social Services, Juvenile Justice, or a related field.
• A valid driver’s license is required.
• Knowledge of Tennessee statutes, rules, administrative orders, and Hamilton County policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Assist in coordination/placement of defendants into Alternative Sentencing Programs.
• Interview clients/defendants and gather data for placement decisions.
• Perform record checks to determine eligibility for program acceptance.
• Maintain and update records and files; attend Show Cause hearings; testify in court when needed.
• Log court orders and distribute for review and signature; perform drug screens as needed; install/remove electronic monitoring equipment.

Skills

Cooperative working relationships

Community resources

Personal computer skills

Oral and written communication

Customer service/public relations

Microsoft Office Suite (Office, Word,,

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Under general supervision, assists in the coordination/placement of defendants into Alternative Sentencing Programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

(Essential functions, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following tasks, physical requirements, knowledge, skills, abilities, and other characteristics. This list of tasks is ILLUSTRATIVE ONLY, and is not a comprehensive listing of all functions and tasks performed by incumbents of this class.)

Obtains paperwork and instructions regarding possible placement of individuals into the Community Corrections Program, Pretrial Services, Hamilton County Probation or the Courts Community Service program, interviews clients/defendants; gathers data and information regarding possible placement into program; performs record checks to determine eligibility for acceptance into program; gathers, maintains, and updates records and files; attends Show Cause hearings; testifies in court regarding status; logs court orders and distributes for review and signature; performs drug screens on defendants when necessary; installs and removes electronic monitoring equipment.

Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge of applicable State of Tennessee statutes, rules, administrative orders, policies and procedures, applicable Federal rules, and requirements.

Knowledge of Hamilton County policies and procedures.

Knowledge of the basic principles of record keeping.

Knowledge of legal terminology and court processes and procedures.

Skill in establishing and maintaining cooperative working relationships with employees, inmates, probationers, their families, law enforcement, interested parties, vendors, the news media, and the public.

Skill in identifying and utilizing community resources and services.

Skill in operating a personal computer utilizing a variety of software applications.

Skill effectively communicating in both oral and written form.

Skill in customer service/public relations techniques.

Skill in Microsoft Office Suite, specifically Office, Word, and Excel programs.

The equivalent of a high school diploma and one (1) year of direct work experience in Criminal Justice, Social Services, Juvenile Justice, or a related field. A valid driver’s license is required.

SAFETY SENSITIVE

Employees in this position perform safety sensitive functions, therefore, drug and alcohol screening will be conducted on the following occasions: 1) Pre-employment - for employees whose position includes a safety sensitive function(s) or who are in a position that requires a CDL; 2) When there is reasonable cause - when a supervisor reasonably believes or suspects the employee is under the influence of drugs or alcohol; 3) Post-accident - after any on the job injury or after any accident in a County-owned vehicle or contributing to an injury or accident of any type; 4) On a random basis - unannounced testing on a random basis using a random selection process for employees whose position includes a safety sensitive function(s) or whose position requires a CDL; 5) Return-to-duty - for employees who have failed a previous test or who have violated the prohibited drug & alcohol rules and are being returned to a position that includes a safety sensitive function(s) or to a position that requires a CDL after having been through counseling and evaluation. 6) Follow-up - unannounced testing after an employee has been returned to duty after having failed a previous test or after having violated the prohibited drug & alcohol rules and has been returned to a position that includes a safety sensitive function(s) or is in a position that requires a CDL after having been through counseling and evaluation.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants for this position must possess a valid driver’s license at the time of application and obtain a class “F” endorsement within three (3) months of the date of hire.

Prior to operating a County-owned vehicle, all employees are required to complete the HC Defensive Driving course and/or an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) provided at the department level.

Incumbents must be able to obtain, within six (6) months of employment, any required certification or training and must retain all certifications and pass all training mandated by Tennessee statutes, rules, administrative orders, and Hamilton County Policies and Procedures.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants who are proficient in both English and Spanish are preferred, but not required, for this position. A test will be required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work requires a minimum of physical effort with intermittent sitting, standing, walking and occasional driving. Work involves the risk of bodily harm and potential exposure to infectious diseases.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of all activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

Any overtime hours offered in this position are not guaranteed, are an estimate, and are subject to change.

All positions within Hamilton County Government are considered work in-person and require regular and punctual attendance.

All positions within Hamilton County Government may require work on Holidays or weekends. Additionally, irregular hours and shift work may be required, including possible extension of shift hours, at times with short notice.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Hamilton County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or the provision of services. A copy of Hamilton County's Equal Employment Opportunity Plan (EEOP) & Utilization Report is available on the County’s Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Office home page.

https://www.hamiltontn.gov/Department_EqualEmploymentOpportunityOffice.aspx