Bilingual Pretrial Officer - Prescreening Division

Harris County; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

Harris County is seeking a Pretrial Officer to prepare reports aiding pretrial decisions, indigency determinations, and related processes. The role requires interviewing defendants, gathering histories, and presenting information to courts. You will assess release conditions and coordinate with agencies to implement orders, in a fast-paced environment.

Bilingual English/Spanish candidates are preferred. A valid Texas driver's license, a bachelor’s degree in CJ or a related field, and CJ

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Counseling or related field from an accredited university.
• One year full-time paid experience in a Criminal Justice setting or two years of related volunteer experience.
• Bilingual in English & Spanish; bilingual incentive pay based on testing scores.
• Valid driver's license (Texas upon hire), reliable transportation and current auto liability insurance.

Responsibilities

• Initiates and coordinates access to defendants in city and county jails.
• Interviews defendants and elicits needed information.
• Investigates and documents the criminal and social history of defendants.
• Consolidates information and assesses risk of misconduct.
• Appears in court to present defendant reports.
• Conveys release options information to judiciary, prosecutors and defense attorneys.
• Evaluates ability to comply with release conditions and reports issues.

Skills

Effective communication

Documentation skills

Organizational skills

Fast-paced work adaptability

Education

Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice or related field

Bachelor's degree in any field + 1 year Criminal Justice experience OR 2 years volunteer in CJ

Job description

Under general supervision, the Pretrial Officer will be responsible for preparing reports on defendants that assist the courts with pretrial release and detention decisions, indigency determination and other related processes.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Initiates and coordinates activities to access defendants in the city and county jails.
• Interviews defendants and elicits needed information.
• Investigates and documents the criminal and social history of interviewed defendants.
• Consolidates information compiled on defendants and assesses the risk of misconduct.
• Appears in court to present defendant reports.
• Conveys supplemental information about release options to the judiciary, prosecutors and defense attorneys.
• Evaluates the defendant's ability to comply with release conditions and apprises court of compliance problems.
• Instructs defendants about conditions and obligations of release.
• Coordinates activities necessary to implement judicially ordered release conditions.
• Completes reports and generate computer mainframe transactions that provide information necessary to document department activities.
• Testifies in court.
• Responds to inquiries from defendants and the public about the pre-trial process.
• Collaborates with personnel in Criminal Justice and Human Service agencies, representatives of the legal community and others to achieve department goals.
• Performs all tasks accurately and thoroughly within demanding timeframes.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx
If you need special services or accommodations, please call [phone] or email [e-mail].
This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Counseling, or other closely related field from an accredited university or college.

OR

• Bachelor's degree in any other field of study from an accredited university or college; and
  • A minimum of one (1) year of full-time paid experience in a Criminal Justice setting, or
  • A minimum of two (2) years of volunteer experience in a Criminal Justice or Social Sciences setting

Language

• Bilingual in English & Spanish - Bilingual incentive pay will be based on testing scores.

Licensures

• Valid driver's license (Texas upon hire), reliable transportation and current auto liability insurance

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Effective communication, interaction, and organizational skills
• Excellent documentation skills
• Ability to perform tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Demonstrated tolerance for diverse populations

Additional Requirements

• All new employees are required to present evidence of a TB skin test prior to employment.
• Upon receiving a conditional offer of employment, all applicants are screened for the presence of illegal drugs.

Applicants for this position will be subject to a criminal background check that includes being fingerprinted. This applies to any position with network access to Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) or access to an area where CJIS is received, maintained or stored either manually or electronically (i.e. custodian, maintenance).

Automatic Disqualification

• Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for any Felony, and any Class A Misdemeanor
• Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for a Class B Misdemeanor, if within the previous 10 years
• Open arrest for any criminal offense (Felony or Misdemeanor)
• Family Violence conviction

NOTE

Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Education

• Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice or related field.

Experience

• Paid work experience in a criminal justice setting performing case management activities

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work

• Regular Full-time | 40 Hours Per Week
  • Evening and Midnight Shifts
  • Holiday Hours/Overtime as Required
  • Days off vary

Salary

• Depends on Qualifications
• Bilingual incentive pay will be based on testing scores.
• Based on 26 Pay Periods

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.
Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.