Pre-Trial Release Administrator

Harnett County, NC; Lillington (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Office of the Sheriff of Harnett County is seeking a Pretrial Release Officer to interview inmates and coordinate with attorneys and judicial officials to arrange feasible pre-trial release. This role entails screening inmates, conducting assessments, and monitoring release through visits, calls and electronic house arrest equipment.

Responsibilities include conducting background checks, preparing paperwork for court approval, maintaining confidential records, and producing program statistics.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two years of work experience in criminal justice.
• Or equivalent education and/or experience.

Responsibilities

• Identify, interview, and screen defendants for pretrial release eligibility.
• Conduct criminal background investigations using DCI/NCIC and other sources.
• Interview candidates for pretrial release; prepare paperwork for approval; present to judicial officials.
• Monitor defendants released under special conditions; ensure compliance.
• Install and monitor electronic house arrest equipment; respond to alerts.
• Review inmate charges to determine expedited plea eligibility; prepare paperwork.
• Contact victims to advise court dates and restitution when appropriate.
• Counsel clients and maintain contact with them and probation officers.
• Refer participants to community resources for treatment, education, life and job skills.
• Prepare and maintain confidential client records; generate program statistics.

Skills

Data analysis

Verbal communication

Written communication

Criminal justice knowledge

Surveillance equipment

Teamwork

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

DCI/NCIC access

Computers

Case management software

Job description

An employee in this position interviews inmates and works with attorneys and judicial officials to arrange pre-trial release if feasible for the Office of the Sheriff of Harnett County. This includes; screening inmates; performing an assessment; monitoring the release through visits, telephone contact, and house arrest monitoring equipment; providing assistance in the management of inmates within the detention center; managing the operation of the program including maintaining confidential information; and keeping statistics on program operations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF THE POSITION:

• Identifies, interviews, and screens defendants booked into the County detention facility to assess eligibility for pre-trial release; screens candidates for health issues, flight risk, suicide risk, drug use, etc.
• Conducts criminal background investigations using DCI/NCIC and other sources.
• Interviews candidates for pretrial release; gathers collaborative information; prepares paperwork; presents information to the District Attorney for approval; and if approved, presents information to the appropriate judicial official.
• Communicates clearly and thoroughly program information to defendants; monitors defendants who are released with special court-ordered conditions such as drug/alcohol evaluations, random drug testing, psychological evaluations, curfews, house arrests, and other conditions.
• Installs and initiates electronic house arrest equipment if specified; responds to electronic house arrest calls.
• Reviews inmate charges to determine eligibility for expedited pleas; prepares paperwork; interviews victims; and presents paperwork to the appropriate judicial official.
• Contacts any victims of crimes conducted by pre-trial release candidates to advise them of date and time for court appearances and to determine if restitution is appropriate.
• Counsels clients as needed; maintains contact with them and probation officers.
• Makes referrals to community resources for various treatment programs, educational programs, life and job skills training, etc.
• Prepares and maintains confidential records on clients.
• Accurately monitors current and alleged sex offenders to ensure proper registration under state laws
• Prepares reports and statistics on program use and effectiveness.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:

• High school diploma or equivalent;
• Two (2) years of work experience in the criminal justice field;
• Or equivalent education and/or experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of County’s Pretrial Release Program and requirements.
• Knowledge of local community support organizations for referral purposes.
• Skill in installing and monitoring electronic surveillance equipment.
• Skill in communicating, both verbally and in writing....
• Skill in organizing.
• Skill in using computers.
• Ability to collect and analyze data.
• Ability to calculate statistics and create reports.
• Ability to follow-up with program participants prior to deadlines.
• Ability to work with others.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must be able to perform sedentary work and occasionally exerting up to 10 pounds of force to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. This work also involves the physical abilities of perceiving sounds at normal speaking levels, using mental acuity, speaking, and expressing ideas by the spoken word.An incumbent must also possess the visual acuity to analyze data.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The employee works in an office type of environment.