Classification and Pretrial Services Counselor

HCG Harford County, Maryland; United States; On-site; USD 59,000 - 72,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental & Vision insurance

Maryland State Pension Plan

Paid Holidays

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Job summary

Harford County Sheriff's Office seeks a Classification and Pretrial Services Counselor to conduct intake interviews, assess risk, and determine custody levels and housing. You will manage pretrial release processes, verify backgrounds, and coordinate with the Court.

The role involves inmate case management, program referrals, and supervising participants, with opportunities for overtime. A bachelor’s degree in a related field and CJIS/JIS certification are required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in psychology or sociology from an accredited college.
• Minimum of 1 year experience in interview and/or casework management.
• CJIS/JIS certification course required and maintained.

Responsibilities

• Conduct intake interviews to determine custody levels, housing, program eligibility, and assignments.
• Perform criminal history checks and verify information for program eligibility.
• Assign inmates to work details and manage the daily roster.
• Maintain inmate records and ensure proper documentation per policy.
• Coordinate with agencies and prepare reports for court review.
• Provide referrals and recommendations to the Court and supervise program participants.
• Deliver training and instruction at the HCSO Training Academy.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Judgment under pressure

Record keeping

Prioritization

Team collaboration

Communication

Emergency response

Confidentiality

Computer literacy

Policy interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in psychology or sociology

Tools

MS Word

Excel

PowerPoint

CJIS/JIS/RMS systems

Job description

Job Description Summary: Conduct intake interviews, make risk assessments affecting inmate custody and security levels, and determine appropriate housing, work detail, program assignments, and eligibility for services; investigate and verify information, obtain criminal histories, responsible for all aspects of inmate case management; manage, plan, organize, schedule, evaluate, and coordinate the pretrial release services program; provide referrals and recommendations to the Court; supervise program participants; and perform other duties as assigned. Starting salary is $31.26 per hour ($65,030 annual). The Classification and Pretrial Services Counselor position has opportunities for overtime and compensatory time.

Job Description: Essential Functions

• Conduct intake interviews and assessments to determine inmate custody levels, appropriate housing, program eligibility, work assignments, and other classification needs.
• Conduct criminal history and records checks through CJIS/JIS/RMS and other available resources; verifies information and determines eligibility for Work Release, Home Detention, Work Detail, and other programs.
• Interview and assign inmates to work details throughout the detention center in accordance with policy and procedure and maintains the daily work detail roster.
• Relocate inmates throughout the detention center based on institutional needs, inmate assignments, changes in security status, classification decisions, and other operational requirements.
• Maintain and audit inmate records and case files, including court paperwork, housing locations, work assignments, medical documentation, incident reports, classification information, and other required records; purges files in accordance with policy.
• Maintain the HCDC Keep Separates List, High Risk List, and Special Confinement status record and ensure current information is communicated to appropriate personnel.
• Monitor disciplinary sanctions and distribute applicable information to security staff and the Special Confinement Team (SCT).
• Manage Special Confinement cases and housing, including preparing case histories, meeting with inmates regarding SCT decisions, and developing alternative housing options when appropriate.
• Meet with inmates and inmate groups to address concerns, resolve issues, and develop plans or agreements designed to facilitate a safe and orderly housing environment.
• Review and respond to inmate requests and provide appropriate referrals, resources, and case management services.
• Conduct comprehensive pretrial screening, including face-to-face interviews, criminal history checks, records checks, and verification of information relevant to pretrial release and detention decisions.
• Determine pretrial eligibility and prepare reports for the Court prior to bail review, including verified information, risk factors, and pretrial eligibility status.
• Present pretrial reports during bail reviews and provides recommendations to the Court regarding release or detention based on verified information and established criteria.
• Provide appropriate levels of supervision to defendants released into the community on pretrial status, monitor compliance with conditions of release, and take appropriate action when concerns arise.
• Monitor pretrial defendants to promote court appearance and community safety while they remain on pretrial release.
• Maintain regular communication and exchange information with Agency command staff, Agency staff members, the Maryland Parole Commission, State’s Attorney’s Office, and other outside agencies.
• Keep supervisors and appropriate personnel informed of significant issues and developments in a timely manner.
• Cultivate and maintain positive working relationships with detention center personnel and outside agency partners.
• Serve on various boards, committees, and teams and attends meetings as required.
• Provide instruction at the HCSO Training Academy, including entrance-level and in-service training, as assigned.
• Maintain current knowledge of inmate classification, counseling, and pretrial services practices through workshops, educational programs, professional development, and specialized literature.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to act as a representative of the Sheriff’s Office to the public.
• Thorough knowledge of inmate classification and counseling practices and ability to accurately interpret them to staff.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Ability to consistently use sound judgment to make critical decisions.
• Ability to organize, track, and maintain inmate records and other relevant documentation; effectively and efficiently.
• Ability to establish priorities and organize workload effectively and efficiently to accommodate numerous deadlines.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other staff; successfully communicate with other staff members, outside agency staff, inmates and members of the public; and work as a team.
• Ability to maintain a pleasant and productive working atmosphere.
• Ability to respond properly in emergency situations and complete assignments under pressure.
• Ability to operate relevant computer systems, including hardware and software (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, CJIS, JIS, RMS systems/databases), and office machines.
• Successful completion of all training required by the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions, annual in-service and other training as required.

Education and Experience

• Must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in psychology, sociology, or closely related field.
• Must have a minimum of one (1) year experience in interview and/or casework management, preferably with defendants or inmates in a related environment.
• Must be able to successfully complete the CJIS/JIS certification course and maintain certification to access CJIS/JIS.

Selected Candidate

• Must have a valid driver's license with no more than 3 points and a relatively clean record with no convictions for DUI.
• Must pass comprehensive background investigation and criminal record check; medical exam and drug/alcohol screening; polygraph exam; and psychological screening.
• Must provide handwriting sample for review.
• Must appear before and receive favorable recommendation from Oral Interview Board.
• Must possess a history and exhibit the characteristics of honesty, reliability, integrity and interpersonal skills.
• Any criminal conviction(s) and/or arrest(s) may be grounds for disqualification.

Benefits Package Includes

• Health, Dental & Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Maryland State Pension Plan and Deferred Compensation
• Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• Generous Leave Package & Paid Holidays
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program

Harford County Sheriff’s Office is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status, or any other protected status in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law.

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