Pretrial Officer I

City of Dayton; Dayton (OH); Hybrid; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Dayton is seeking a Pretrial Officer to supervise and monitor defendants from referral to adjudication, applying evidence-based practices and coordinating with jail and court staff.

The role requires strong interviewing, crisis intervention, and compliance monitoring skills, plus the ability to work as part of the Court team and maintain confidential information. On-site position with background checks and drug testing.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree requirement in a relevant field and some work experience.
• Strong interviewing and crisis intervention skills.
• Knowledge of supervision practices and evidence-based approaches.
• Ability to learn court procedures and use legal software.

Responsibilities

• Supervise and monitor pretrial defendants from referral to adjudication, applying evidence-based practices.
• Attend arraignments and explain bond conditions; provide reporting instructions.
• Conduct initial visits, assess needs, and refer to appropriate services (substance use, mental health, housing, employment).
• Provide ongoing supervision, monitor attendance and progress, and perform drug/alcohol testing if directed.
• Advise judges on status changes, new charges, or compliance issues; modify supervision as needed.
• May testify in court and maintain confidential information; support a productive team environment.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Crisis intervention

Time management

Verbal and written communication

Assessment and case management

Judgment and decision making

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or related field

Tools

WEJIS

JusticeWeb

Court websites knowledge

Job description

Responsibilities

JOB PURPOSE AND OVERVIEW

Supervise and monitor pretrial clients (defendants) from the initial referral until their cases are adjudicated. Supervision and monitoring will require specific duties, skills, and expertise on the part of the pretrial officer, as well as the implementation of evidence-based practices.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION

• Attend arraignments at the Montgomery County Jail. Sign new clients onto the program and explain conditions of bond. Provide reporting instructions to new clients. Process 'out of arraignment docket' releases, meet with clients at the jail or in the office, and submit paperwork to the appropriate offices.
• Conduct initial office visits with new clients. Assess and address the needs of any high-risk offenders. Refer clients to specialized programs and services such as substance use and mental health assessments, treatment, HIV testing, crisis intervention, housing, rehabilitative programs, and employment assistance, as directed by the judges. Schedule clients for next office visit.
• Provide ongoing pretrial supervision, support, and case management services. Record any changes in client information and monitor attendance and progress in treatment. If directed by a judge or management, perform random drug/alcohol screening and tests, arrange for secure continuous remote alcohol monitoring (SCRAM), and conduct home visits.
• Advise the judges when the status of clients changes and of any new charges, failure to comply with conditions of bond, detainers for probation/parole violations, and cases in other jurisdictions.
• Take corrective action when defendants fail to comply with conditions of bond. This includes evaluating cases, preparing and filing Non-Compliance Reports, requesting warrants, and sending Order to Report letters. Suggest modifications or adjustments to court dates and conditions of supervision.
• If needed, appear and testify in Court, including at pretrial and disposition hearings.
• Organize and maintain confidential information.
• Provide information to treatment providers as needed.
• Contribute to a strong, supportive, and productive team environment.

OTHER DUTIES

• Assist with preparing presentence Investigation (PSI) reports, as directed by the Chief or Deputy Chief of Supervision.
• Assist the Electronic Monitoring Program (EMP) in the absence of an EMP Officer.
• Attend seminars/workshops for professional development.
• Obtain required continuing education credits and training to remain current with National and Ohio Pretrial Services theories and practices.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the Deputy Chief of Supervision/Pretrial Manager or Chief of Supervision.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, or another relevant field with some work experience preferred; or any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience which provides the requisite knowledge, skills, and abilities for this job, plus:
• Current valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• Knowledge of supervision practices and evidence-based practices.
• Knowledge of drug and alcohol testing procedures, drug trends, and forms of use.
• Interviewing skills for pre-sentence investigations.
• Verbal and physical crisis intervention skills.
• Knowledge of criminogenic risk and stages of change awareness.
• Independent judgment and experience working with the public.
• Ability to handle and defuse volatile situations.
• Ability to take instruction from supervisors in oral, written, and diagram form.
• Ability to maintain Ohio Risk Assessment System certification, if needed.
• Ability to learn WEJIS, JusticeWeb, and criminal justice government websites.
• Ability to learn State and City laws, and probation procedures.
• Ability to work as part of the Court team.
• Ability to learn Court security requirements and procedures, including unarmed self-defense training, Active Shooter training, and Court-issued defensive weapon training.
• Computer and electronic equipment knowledge, plus word-processing skills.
• Verbal and written communication skills, including legible handwriting and accurate spelling and grammar.
• Time management and organizational skills.
• Honesty, patience, objectivity, maturity, initiative, adaptability, and effectiveness under stress.
• Professional conduct and attire.

Notes

CANDIDATES AND EMPLOYEES ARE SUBJECT TO BACKGROUND CHECKS AND DRUG TESTING.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT: EMPLOYEES OF THE COURT ARE AT-WILL EMPLOYEES AND SERVE AT THE PLEASURE OF THE COURT