Criminal Justice Specialist

Mecklenburg County Government; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 34,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Mecklenburg County Government seeks a Public Safety Assessment Officer to support court processes by evaluating bonds and release eligibility. The role includes attending court and coordinating release decisions with judges and attorneys.

The position is located in Charlotte, NC, with shifts 6:00am–3:00pm, 10:00am–7:00pm, or 2:00pm–11:00pm; training hours may differ. Requires 2 years in criminal justice and an Associate's degree, with possible education-experience tradeoffs.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of criminal justice or related professional experience.
• Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice, Human Services, or related field of study.
• Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted?

Responsibilities

• Provide the court system with public safety assessments for bonds and release decisions.
• Attend court to assist judges and attorneys and assess criteria for pretrial release.
• Interview defendants and verify information to determine release recommendations.
• Maintain accurate detainee counts and records in the RMIS.

Skills

Attention to detail

Criminal justice terminology

Communication

Decision making

Education

Associate's degree

Job description

Follow Your Calling, Find Your Career!!

Please apply by: September 10th, 2026

Please note the required work schedule, days and hours.

Salary Range: $25.53 to $28.24 per hour.This is a non-exempt (hourly) position.

Please note: Pay rates are based on education, skill, experience level and internal equity. Internal equity considerations include an assessment of the applicant’s salary history and qualifications in comparison to the market rate and requirements for the job.

At Mecklenburg County, you’ll have the chance to build a career as unique as you are with support, inclusive culture, and technology to become the best version of you. We’re counting on YOUR unique voice and perspective to help Mecklenburg County become even better, too. Join us and build an exceptional experience for yourself, and a better working world for all.

Criminal Justice Services (CJS) is responsible for promoting improvements in the criminal justice system through interagency cooperation, coordination, and planning. It was formed in 2010 by the Mecklenburg County Manager's Office in response to findings from a Justice & Public Safety Task Force.

Position Summary

Provide the court system with public safety assessments in order to assist in setting bonds, adjusting bonds, and determining eligibility for release. This position, under general supervision, is responsible for attending court to assist judges and attorneys and assessing if specific criteria have been met for pretrial release from custody.

This position will be located at 715 E 4th St., Charlotte, NC 28202.

*The available shifts for this position are 6:00am–3:00pm, 10:00am–7:00pm, or 2:00pm–11:00pm. The assigned shift will be based on operational needs and communicated at the time of offer. Please note holiday work and working rotating Sundays is required. (During the training period work hours will be 7:00am- 4:00 PM, Monday-Friday.)

Essential Functions

• Provide customer service and answer inquiries from the public, user agencies, and criminal justice members
• Utilize multiple databases to update and maintain defendant files
• Review and prepare the public safety assessment packet and court docket for daily court appearances
• Interview defendants, verify defendant information, and obtain release references to determine release recommendation
• Initiate release of eligible defendants
• Maintain accurate counts of detainees; maintains complete records and ensures that current information on detainees is entered into the records management system
• Asses if arrestees are candidates for pretrial release through interviews, criminal history check, and the verification of information via community contacts

Minimum Qualifications

Experience:

Minimum two years of criminal justice or related professional experience.

Education:

Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice, Human Services, or related field of study.

Combination of relevant education and relevant experience accepted?:Yes

Licenses and Certifications

• May require a valid North Carolina or South Carolina Driver's License
• May require the ability to obtain and maintain a Mecklenburg County Operator's Permit
• Must become DCI certified within six month
• Must obtain NAPSA certification within one year

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with public safety assessment (risk assessment instrument)
• Criminal Justice experience preferred
• Experience with eWarrants, OMS, eCourts/Odyssey applications

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of

• Knowledge of STATE computer applications: eWarrants, OMS, eCourts/Odyssey
• Knowledge of Arrest Processing system
• Completion of the public safety assessment (risk assessment instrument)

Skills

• Attention to detail
• Familiar with criminal justice terminology
• Ability to convey information effectively
• Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems

Abilities

• Building Trust: Interacting with others in a way that instills confidence in one’s intentions and those of the organization
• Collaboration: Working effectively and cooperatively with others; establishing and maintaining good working relationships
• Communication: Clearly conveying information and ideas through a variety of media to individuals or groups in a manner that engages the audience and helps them understand and retain the information provided
• Decision Making: Identifying and understanding issues, problems and opportunities; comparing data from different sources to draw conclusions; using effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions; taking action that is consistent with available facts, constraints, and probably consequences

Computer Skills

Proficient in various computer applications including Microsoft Office Suite

Work Environment

Works in an office setting with moderate noise

Selection

This classification has been identified as having a role in the development of ADA compliant technologies and for which the incumbent agrees to follow County policies to the best of their abilities in order to meet these obligations.No

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer Statement

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of job-related responsibilities, duties, skills, requirements or working conditions. Other duties may be assigned based on business need and the supervisor’s request. Mecklenburg County reserves the right to revise the job description at any time. Designated positions may be required to assist in emergency and/or disaster situations.