Pretrial Officer: Supervision Unit

Williamson County; Georgetown (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Williamson County in Georgetown, TX seeks a Pretrial Services Officer responsible for interviewing arrestees, evaluating indigence for counsel, and preparing bail reports for judicial officers. The role includes cross-training between Defendant Screening Unit and Post Release Supervision Unit to cover seven days a week.

Responsibilities extend to monitoring defendants post-release, managing pretrial contracts, and ensuring accurate case data.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice or related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Bilingual in Spanish preferred.

Responsibilities

• Interview and evaluate arrestees charged with criminal offenses and prepare bail reports.
• Determine indigent status for court-appointed attorneys.
• Provide post-release supervision and monitoring as ordered by the court.
• Serve as liaison between judges, attorneys, and law enforcement on bail and counsel appointments.

Skills

Microsoft Office Suite

Interviewing

Bilingual (Spanish)

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice or related field

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Reporting directly to a Pretrial Manager, responsible for interviewing and evaluating arrestees charged with criminal offenses, providing bail reports to judicial officers, and determining indigent status for court appointed attorneys. Provides post-release supervision and/or monitoring of defendants pursuant to court order and addresses alleged violations of terms and conditions of release.

May be assigned to either the Defendant Screening Unit or the Post Release Supervision Unit. Position is cross trained between units to provide coverage for essential duties 7 days per week.

Defendant Screening Unit

• Conducts interviews and gathers financial information to determine indigence status for eligibility for court appointed counsel
• As designee of the Court, appoints counsel to eligible defendants based on local Texas Indigent Defense Commission (TIDC) plan and disseminates appointment orders to pertinent stakeholders
• Utilizes computer terminal connected to the Texas and National Crime Information Center to obtain criminal history information
• Serves as intermediary between judges and attorneys on questions concerning attorney appointments and bond compliance
• Informs and briefs law enforcement, jail personnel, family and friends of arrestees, lawyers and others regarding arrestee’s bail and/or status related to requested court appointed counsel
• Appears in Court when required and serves as Pretrial Services’ representative at magistration, District Court, and County Courts at Law
• Completes additional screenings on individuals not released on bail to facilitate re-consideration by judicial officers
• Responds to requests from court for in court drug screenings, obtains urine samples from defendants and reports results to judicial officers
• Conducts interview and risk assessment screening of individuals to assist court in determining requirements of bail
• Verifies the accuracy of gathered information through contact with references
• Prepares Bail Report containing the terms and conditions of release that are recommended to be applied to individual defendants, and presents Report to judicial officer for bail decision
• May provide testimony in Court
• Attends all meetings and trainings, as required
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned

Post Release Supervision Unit

• Provides post-release monitoring of defendant compliance with judicially ordered terms and conditions of release and takes appropriate action to facilitate compliance
• Monitors, tracks, and assists the court with ensuring defendants’ compliance with all conditions of pretrial release which may include, without limitation, drug/alcohol testing, location monitoring, refraining from contact with an alleged victim and timely reports defendants’ non-compliance with conditions to the court
• Executes pretrial contracts and other required documents
• Ensures documentation generated or compiled in connection with pretrial services programs are maintained in accordance with department procedures
• Investigates alleged violations of terms and conditions of release and takes appropriate action in response
• Responsible for overall case management of defendants in the pretrial services program; administers the case management software and ensures information entered is accurate and up to date
• Prepares and presents reports to judicial officer, as required, related to defendant’s post-release status and compliance
• Conducts other post-release assessments, as necessary, in order to address specific defendant needs related to pretrial success, including but not limited to substance abuse, psychosocial, and educational services
• Serves as the local GPS vendor and completes device installation, maintenance, and removal and assists with device inventory
• Responds to requests from court for in court drug screenings, obtains urine samples from defendants and reports results to judicial officers
• Acquires and maintains criminal history information and other personal information, verifies defendant information related to residence, contact information and employment status
• Enters invoices for pretrial services expenditures, maintains fee schedules and ledgers relating to fees collected from defendants, and handles those funds in compliance with existing County and Departmental policies and procedures
• Reviews alcohol monitoring reports and notifies the Courts if a hearing needs to be set
• Reviews magistrate packets for individuals who were ordered to Pretrial and verifies the defendant is still in custody
• Assists the screening unit with conducting interviews at Magistrate Court on weekends and holidays, as needed
• Handles County Court at Law caseloads

ORGANIZATION RELATIONSHIPS

• Reports directly to – Pretrial Manager
• Direct Reports – No

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Position involves prolonged sitting at a workstation, reading, visual examination of documents, reaching, standing, walking, twisting, bending, and repetitive motions
• Position involves frequent written and verbal communication with various Williamson County staff, law enforcement agencies, attorneys, inmates, and the general public
• Position involves occasional lifting and carrying of up to fifty (50) pounds and exertion of up to twenty-five (25) pounds of force to move objects

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS

• Work is primarily indoors in an air-conditioned environment
• Work is regularly performed in a secure area of the jail
• Regular interaction with persons accused or convicted of crimes
• Work is fast paced, requires independent judgement, and an ability to meet legally mandated deadlines

IRREGULAR HOURS

• Work outside of regular office hours (Monday-Friday) is required to meet deadlines
• Weekend and holiday work is required
• Essential personnel policy is applicable to this position
• Regular attendance is required

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified in this position. This job description is subject to change as the needs and requirements of the job change.

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice or directly related field; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite

LICENSES AND CERTIFICATIONS

Required within thirty (30) days of employment

• Valid driver’s license

Required within six (6) months of employment

• Texas Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (TLETS) certification
• Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) certification
• Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC) certification
• National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certification

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• One (1) year of experience in the criminal justice, behavioral science, or justice-related field

• Bilingual (Spanish)

• Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC) certification
• National Crime Information Center (NCIC) certification

• Texas Notary Public

EMPLOYMENT TESTING

Employment is contingent on passing any post-offer pre-employment screening as listed below:

• Criminal background check: Yes
• Motor Vehicle Record check: No
• Drug screening: No
• Physical exam: No
• Psychological exam: No
• Additional: N/A

Williamson County online application (resumes alone are not sufficient) must be received before the position is closed. Positions are open until filled, subject to close at any time after five (5) business days. The Human Resources Department is located at 100 Wilco Way, Georgetown, TX 78626. Phone [phone] or visit our website at www.wilcotx.gov/469/Human-Resources.

Williamson County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA). If you require an accommodation in order to apply for a position, please request assistance from the Human Resources Department.

TOBACCO FREE WORKPLACE POLICY

Williamson County is a tobacco free workplace. The use of tobacco products (e.g., cigarettes, cigars, pipes, snuff, chew, etc.) and Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) (e.g., vapor, e-cigarettes, etc.) is prohibited on all Williamson County premises. Employees who violate this policy are subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment.