Pre-Sentence Investigation Writer

State of Montana; North Dakota; On-site; USD 32,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Paid Leave & Holidays

Retirement Plan

Job summary

Montana Department of Corrections in Billings seeks a detail-oriented Pre-Sentence Investigation Writer to perform PSI reports and risk assessments for sentencing decisions.

The role involves interviewing offenders and others, compiling reports, and coordinating with courts and agencies. Requires an associate degree in a related field and two years of public safety experience; travel to Miles City is weekly as needed.

Qualifications

• Associate degree in criminology, human behavior and social work or related fields and two years law enforcement or public safety experience.
• Higher education in criminology, human behavior and social work and related fields with two years experience preferred; OR a combination of higher education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct pre-sentence investigations and risk assessments as ordered by district court judges.
• Interview offenders, victims and other relevant individuals; write and format Pre-Sentence Investigation Reports (PSI) and Reports of Violation (ROV).
• Develop reports and sentencing/placement recommendations using specialized investigative and communicative skills.
• Enter offender information into OMIS/OMP and obtain DOC numbers for offenders.
• Gather police records, perform administrative tasks, and ensure compliance with court-ordered conditions.

Skills

Typing 40 wpm

Education

Associate degree in criminology, human behavior and social work or related fields

Job description

Job Description - Pre-Sentence Investigation Writer (26142619)

Position Title:

Pre-Sentence Investigation Writer - ( 26142619 )

TheMontana Department of Corrections (DOC)is creating a safer Montana through Accountability, Rehabilitation and Empowerment. If you want to work making positive changes in your community, the Montana Department of Corrections is the place for you!

ThePublic Safety Divisionoperates Montana’s prisons safely and securely and provides supervision and support for offenders in the community through its Probation and Parole Bureau. The work performed in this division is integral to the department’s mission to create a safer Montana through accountability, rehabilitation, and empowerment. Make a difference! Join us today!

ThePre-Sentence Investigation Writerposition, guided by the Department of Corrections (DOC) mission, completes pre-sentence investigations and risk assessments to make recommendations to address the risks and needs of various offenders.

• This position will be required to travel to the Miles City office on a weekly basis and as needed for office operations.
• The PSI Writer, at the order of the district court judges, conducts pre-sentence investigations, which includes risk and needs assessments.
• Through the use of motivational interviewing, conduct risk and needs assessments and utilizing various instruments with offenders, makes recommendations to address the risks and needs of various offenders.
• Interviews the offender, victims, witness and other individuals who would have relevant information pertaining to the offender or the crime and reduce this information to writing what is contained within the Pre-Sentence Investigation Report.
• Develops reports and determines the appropriate sentencing and placement recommendations by using specialized investigative and communicative skills; through cooperation with other criminal justice agencies; a thorough knowledge of the laws, sentencing rules and regulations pertaining to probation, parole, incarceration, rehabilitation and treatment programs. Investigates the personal and criminal history of the offender through document searches and interviews with others.
• Gathers information and composes Pre-Sentence Investigation Reports (PSI) & Reports of Violation (ROV) for officer review.
• Distributes approved reports and ensures all documents are accurate and in correct format, signed, ensuring the Division’s policies are understood, followed, in compliance with court ordered conditions and identifies the public safety risks for the other state.
• Attends court on “Law & Motion” day, in absence of the probation & parole officer, to obtain court dates and information for pre-sentence investigation and reports of violation.
• Testifies through the direct and cross examination with prosecutors and defense counsel, in the court of law to the accuracy and authenticity of the information contained within the report.
• Tracks the offenders reporting schedules, meeting supervision standards, ensuring pre-sentence investigation reports and deadlines are met, and documenting offender chronos in OMIS.
• Assists in determining if an offender is eligible for Interstate Compact Supervision based on community safety, the compact criteria, treatment plan, residence, and receiving states individual regulations.
• Obtains and calculates restitution, court costs and supervision fees for monthly report and outstanding balances by calling and requesting logs from the county attorneys and the clerks of court; tracking financial obligations and corresponding with offenders to alert them to their financial situation; gathers information relevant to changes in court schedules.
• Enters offender information into OMIS /OMP and obtains OMIS DOC numbers for offenders.
• Collects and compiles statistical data; creates reports and provides information to the appropriate personnel and agencies.
• Assists PPO with obtaining and filing documentation necessary to complete the PSI and ROV reports. Gathers police record checks by calling law enforcement agencies or authorized persons within the department and requesting “rap” sheets or Criminal Justice Information Network (CJIN) criminal records on offenders.

Receives information on DOC commits from officers and assists officer in ensuring that all required documentation is assembled and forwarded to the records department at the Montana State Prison.

QUALIFICATIONS

• The above knowledge, skills, and abilities required to perform this position are typically acquired through an associate degree in criminology, human behavior and social work or related fields AND two years law enforcement or public safety experience.
• Some higher education in criminology, human behavior and social work and related fields and two years’ experience in law enforcement or public safety preferred; OR a combination of higher education and experience.

The successful candidate must be able to type 40 wpm

Successful applicants will be subject to:

• Criminal history check
• Reference checks

Effective March 16, 2026, this agency participates in E-Verify to confirm employment eligibility. After accepting a job offer and completing Form I-9, your information will be submitted to the Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration for verification. For more information about E-Verify, please visit the E-Verify website found here, https://www.e-verify.gov/ .

NOTICES

Prison Rape Elimination Act of 2003 - Any person who has been convicted of engaging in or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force, or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse; or any person who has been civilly or administratively adjusted to have engaged in the activity as described are not qualified for this position.

Tobacco Free -Use of all tobacco products, including smokeless tobacco products and tobacco substitutes in Department of Corrections buildings, is prohibited. In secure care facilities possession of tobacco products is also prohibited.

Applicant Pool Statement : If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment : This agency may use a training assignment. Employees in training assignments may be paid below the base pay established by the agency pay rules. Conditions of the training assignment will be stated in writing at the time of hire.

Salary: $28.55 - 28.55 Hourly

Telework Eligibility : Not Telework Eligible

Benefits Package Eligibility : Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings

1 Employee Status : Regular Schedule : Full-Time

Job Type

Standard

Shift

Day Job

Travel

Yes, 5 % of the Time

Primary Location

Billings

Other Locations

Miles City Agency : Department of Corrections Union : Montana Federation of Public Employees

Posting Date

Oct 21, 2026, 9:53:58 PM Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone) : Nov 12, 2026, 6:59:00 AM

Required Application Materials : Cover Letter, Resume

Contact Name : Brianna Johnson | Contact Email : [e-mail] | Contact Phone : [phone] Anyone who needs to request a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.