Community Corrections - Monitoring Technician

Allen-County; Fort Wayne (IN); On-site; USD 22,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Allen County Community Corrections is seeking a Monitoring Technician to manage electronic monitoring for 500+ participants. The role handles phone inquiries, data entry, and equipment installation, ensuring accurate records across monitoring and law enforcement databases.

The position requires a HS diploma or GED, basic computer skills, and willingness to obtain IDACS/NCIC certification within six months. Nights/weekends and on-call duties may apply, with overtime as needed.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• One-year experience answering a multi-line phone or working in a call center preferred.
• Ability to obtain IDACS/NCIC Full Operator Certification within six months of employment.
• Strong computer skills with Microsoft Office and related software.
• Proficient with Spillman, electronic monitoring systems and related hardware.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment and manage documentation.

Responsibilities

• Monitor 500+ participants and document whereabouts daily.
• Respond to electronic monitoring alerts from RF and GPS systems and investigate discrepancies.
• Enter intake data and update multiple databases (Spillman, Spillman, case management) accurately.
• Provide instructions to participants and manage equipment installation and maintenance.
• Assist in training new staff and support other divisions as needed.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Multi-tasking

Data entry

Phone handling

Education

High School Diploma or GED

IDACS/NCIC Certification

Tools

Spillman

SRS

Electronic monitoring software

Odyssey/JTAC

Mapping software

Job description

MONITORING TECHNICIAN

Department: Allen County Community Corrections FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Classification/Level: C1 Date: 02/2023

Under the direction of the Communications Section Chief, the Monitoring Technician is responsible for answering incoming participant phone calls, documenting necessary information, providing instructions, installing electronic monitoring equipment, evaluating, and responding to electronic monitoring alerts for 500 plus serious and violent participants sentenced to Home Detention/Electronic Monitoring and/or Residential Services, and performing other data entry duties. This position is covered as defined by The Board of Commissioners of the County of Allen Employee Handbook.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for monitoring the activities for 500 plus serious and violent participants, documenting the participant’s whereabouts and answers any questions participants might have on a daily basis.
• Responds to electronic monitoring alerts received from radio frequency and global positioning systems and performs investigations into discrepancies with participant’s whereabouts or said participant experiences equipment issues.
• Monitors participants of both Home Detention and Residential Services.
• Serves as the Allen County Community Corrections (ACCC) contact for participants, employees, officers, law enforcement agencies or others that might need to contact ACCC with information or questions regarding Home Detention and properly documents contact.
• Answers and responds to one of six participant telephone lines, documenting leave and arrival times and locations in the electronic monitoring system for each participant.
• Enters participant intake data into the electronic monitoring database, case management database and local law enforcement database (Spillman) and accurately updates the participant’s information in all other required databases.
• Updates the electronic monitoring database, case management database and local law enforcement database (Spillman) in the event an participant moves, is remanded into custody or is successfully/unsuccessfully released from the electronic monitoring program.
• Equips participant with ankle transmitter and ensures the equipment is installed and working properly.
• Provides instruction to participants regarding the equipment and answers questions.
• Removes and inspects all equipment upon discharge and ensures all equipment is returned and working properly.
• Enters over 500 schedules and scheduled events weekly into the electronic monitoring database for all participants.
• Provides documentation and notification whenever a participant is moving to a new residence, is hospitalized, has outside police contact, is released, or otherwise removed from the electronic monitoring.

• Investigates and verifies schedule discrepancies by contacting participants and/or case managers to update information in the electronic monitoring and case management databases.
• Prepares, organizes, and distributes paperwork submitted by participants daily.
• Coordinates and performs victim notifications required by Local/State legislature.
• Ensures compliance with published legislature and legal updates.
• Assists in training new staff in the absence of supervisors.
• Assists the Monitoring and Communications Specialists and other divisions with clerical work or special projects as needed.
• Performs all other duties as assigned, including overtime as required.

• Uses principles of evidence-based practices as a guide in interactions with program participants and in the development of department programs.
• Must model Pro-Social behavior at times and in all places.

REQUIREMENTS:

• High School Diploma or GED required with knowledge of criminal justice processes preferred.
• One-year experience answering a multi-line phone and/or working in a call center environment preferred.
• Ability to simultaneously monitor and perform system documentation and data entry on electronic monitoring software system.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills to ensure effective transfer of information and documentation.
• Ability to obtain and maintain Indiana Data and Communications Systems/National Crime Information Center (IDACS/NCIC) Full Operator Certification within six months of employment.
• Strong computer skills with the ability to use Microsoft Office and other job-related software.
• Proficient in the use of Spillman law enforcement information network system, Supervised Release System Software (SRS), electronic monitoring proprietary software systems and related hardware, Computer Assisted Facility Security System, Mapping Software, electronic monitoring equipment (GPS and RF), video surveillance system and Odyssey/JTAC, preferred.
• Ability to multi-task and answer multi-phone in a fast paced, high stress environment.
• Ability to use a variety of law enforcement equipment and devices.
• Ability to obtain certification in Motivation Interviewing and Interpersonal Communication within one year of employment.
• The agency subscribes to the National Institute of Corrections’ Eight Principles of Effective Intervention (EBP), must be able to complete required Correctional EBP training programs and demonstrate competencies that focus on empirical recidivism risk reduction strategies.
• Knowledge of evidence-based principles and practices.

DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

The Monitoring Technician applies principles and techniques to execute moderately complex, relatively standard tasks or processes to assist other county employees, potentially serious violent participants, law enforcement and the public daily.

RESPONSIBILITY:

The Monitoring Technician has a limited amount of opportunity to make choices while carrying out routine tasks involving standardized practices and procedures. Some analysis and judgment are required, especially during non-business hour shifts. Tasks are reviewed by a supervisor upon completion.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

The Monitoring Technician has daily contact with other County employees, potentially violent participants, law enforcement and the public requiring explanation of policies and procedures.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The Monitoring Technician has frequent contact with potentially dangerous, violent, and abusive program participants convicted of various misdemeanor and felony offenses on a daily basis. The Monitoring Technician works in a standard office environment requiring the ability to move around freely with very frequent sitting, some standing and walking, lifting up to 20 pounds, bending, pushing/pulling loads and kneeling. Very frequent typing, attention to detail and monitoring of equipment is required with frequent detailed inspection and proofreading.

SUPERVISION:

None

LICENSING:

Ability to obtain and maintain Indiana Data and Communications System/National Crime Information Center (IDACS/NCIC) Inquiry Only Operator Certification within six months of employment.

Valid Driver’s License

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:

Communications Section Chief

HOURS:

Hours and Shifts vary; 40 hours/week as assigned; some on-call duty; nights and weekends; overtime as required.