Release Assistance Officer

Oregon Department of Human Services; Grants Pass (OR); On-site; USD 63,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

The Josephine County Circuit Court in Grants Pass, Oregon, is seeking a Release Assistance Officer. You will interview defendants in custody, assess eligibility for pretrial release, and prepare reports for judges to inform release decisions.

You will also monitor released defendants, verify court dates, assist with court documents, handle conferrals with victims and attorneys, and perform data entry related to pretrial release while maintaining confidentiality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business or public administration, behavioral or social/human services, or a closely related field.
• Four (4) years of experience in criminal justice or a court environment.
• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to four (4) years that supports the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.
• LEDS certification or ability to obtain certification within six months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Interview defendants in custody and others to determine release eligibility.
• Research and prepare reports for judges about release decisions.
• Monitor defendants on release; assist with court appearances.
• Verify court dates and manage check-ins and dockets.
• Prepare, disperse, and collect affidavits for indigence and route for verification.
• Data entry related to pretrial release and prepare new files and court orders.

Skills

Interviewing

Communication

Computer literacy

Customer service

Education

Bachelor's degree in business/public administration or related field

Tools

LEDS certification

Job description

Initial Posting Date: 09/25/2026 Application Deadline: 10/15/2026 Agency: Judicial Department Salary Range: $5,254 - $8,152 Position Type: Employee Position Title: Release Assistance Officer Job Description:

Who We Are

Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) serves the public, and the people we serve may be facing challenging life circumstances, high levels of stress, or confusion about their next steps. The work you will do in this role affects members of our community who come to the court to have their cases resolved. We need people who want to impact their communities, value OJD’s efforts to remove barriers to access justice services, and welcome interacting with the public. We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We consider relevant work experience, education, and any transferable skills and abilities that may meet our qualifications or the skills and attributes we need for this position. We welcome all candidates who are inspired by our work and mission.

Benefits to You

We pay 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums for full-time employees, including mental health coverage. 10 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, 3 personal business days, separate sick and vacation paid leaves (prorated for part-time employees), and other employee benefits such as optional insurances and flexible spending plans. OJD will pay you a 5% allowance for bilingual skills (includes ASL) if you can pass a skills test and are assigned to use those skills on the job. In this job profile, we offer candidates new to OJD up to the third step of the salary range, depending on experience. You are potentially eligible for a 5% annual increase.

Position Highlights

The Josephine County Circuit Court in Grants Pass, Oregon, is hiring a Release Assistance Officer. In this role, you will interview defendants being held in custody pending trial, as well as victims and other interested parties, to determine the defendants’ eligibility for pretrial release. You will research and prepare recommendation reports for judges about adults in custody who are ineligible for release. To monitor defendants who are on release agreements, you will conduct research, maintain contact with the defendants to assist them with appearing for court, ensure victim and public safety, verify court dates, and manage and log required check-ins. You will identify and prepare files that need to be added to dockets, and you may attend court hearings to testify about release decisions. Additionally, you will perform data entry related to pretrial release, prepare new files and court orders, and review and monitor criminal reports, including the statuses of warrants. You will provide customer service by assisting judges, court staff, attorneys, defendants, and the public in person, over the phone, and in writing. You will spend part of your time verifying income. To do this, you will complete financial affidavits to determine eligibility for court-appointed counsel. You will prepare, disperse, and collect affidavits of indigence for adults in custody who are set for arraignment. You will also route completed court-appointed affidavits for verification. Assigned tasks may be changed to accommodate workload and organizational needs.

Minimum Qualifications (These must be evident in your work history or resume.)

• The qualified candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, behavioral or social/human services, or a closely related field.
• Four (4) years of experience in criminal justice or a court environment.
• Any combination of education and experience equivalent to four (4) years of experience that typically supports the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.

Special Qualifications (These must be verifiable.)

• The qualified candidate must have Law Enforcement Data System (LEDS) certification or have the ability to obtain certification within six months of hire.

Eligibility requirements for obtaining LEDS certification are available here.

Requested Skills and Attributes (These must be addressed in your cover letter.)

• Experience conducting interviews to obtain personal or financial information.
• Experience communicating calmly and effectively, orally and in writing, with people in emotionally charged and stressful situations.
• Experience communicating decisions regarding the approval or denial of benefits or services and the explanation of laws, rules, or regulations.
• Experience using a computer to access and input information and complete work.
• Experience working in a court, criminal justice, corrections, or other legal environment.

Working Conditions

This is a full-time position and is eligible for overtime compensation for hours worked in excess of 40 per workweek. You must have the ability to work days, nights, swing shifts, weekends, holidays, and a combination of shifts on a rotational basis. Schedules are subject to change due to position necessity. Work is performed in a general office environment at the courthouse and within a correctional facility (jail) setting. This position works directly with external law enforcement agencies and staff. Frequent phone and in-person contact with people from diverse backgrounds. Frequent phone and in-person contact with people who may be facing challenging life circumstances, highly stressful situations, or trauma, including people who may be hostile or abusive. This position interacts with people charged with violent/sexual offenses. Frequent interruptions and daily work with confidential documents and information. This position works alone (without direct supervision) and within a group (with direct supervision). Long periods of sitting may be required due to the high volume of work. The following equipment may be used: audio/video equipment, telephone, OJD-assigned computer with multiple monitors, photocopier, and office equipment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Criminal Background Check Finalists for this position will be subject to an extensive background investigation. The successful candidate must meet all applicable background and criminal history checks and be of good moral character. Moral character is defined as possessing the attributes of empathy, courage, fortitude, honesty, loyalty, and additional virtues deemed to be morally good. Adverse results are evaluated on a case‑case basis and may result in disqualification if the circumstances are directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Reference Checks

By submitting your application to OJD, you consent to reference checks about your qualifications, your workplace performance, and your work product.

United States Employment Eligibility

OJD does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. OJD will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

Veterans’ or Oregon National Guard Preference

Eligible veterans and current or former servicemembers with the Oregon National Guard who meet the qualifications will be given preference in the recruitment process. To receive preference, veterans and current or former servicemembers with the Oregon National Guard must attach the appropriate documentation after they receive an email in their Workday inbox requesting the information to verify eligibility. Visit the Oregon job opportunities Veterans, Disabled Veterans & State Servicemembers web page for additional details, information, and resources.

Age-Based Discrimination

OJD does not request or require your age, date of birth, or attendance or graduation dates from an educational institution during the application process.

Conduct Expectations

Because of OJD's role in providing justice and upholding the rule of law, employees of the department are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job, and to maintain those same high standards when taking actions in their personal lives that could reflect on the department. As an employee, you will be expected to preserve the confidentiality of information received in the course of OJD employment.

Pay Equity

As an employer, OJD complies with Oregon’s pay equity law. In this job profile, we offer candidates new to OJD up to the third step of the salary range, depending on experience. For more information on pay equity, click here.

Employee Benefits

Click here to access information specific to OJD employee benefits.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

OJD is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. To learn more about this program, and how to qualify, please click here.

Questions and Support

If you require an alternate format to complete the application process, call 503-986-5930, or TTY: Oregon Relay Service 711 for the hearing impaired. Be prepared to describe the alternate format needed. Workday related information and resources are available here. For questions about a specific OJD job posting, call 503-986-5930 or email [e-mail].

About our Mission and Values

The Oregon Judicial Department embraces equal opportunity and affirmative action. We are committed to building a diverse team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be. Oregon state government is a large organization by nearly any standard. With over 40,000 employees working all over the state, in small communities and large, we are proving that government can be innovative. We work as a team, challenging ourselves to be better, faster and more efficient with taxpayer dollars. After all, when every day we are responsible for caring for the needs of a diverse population and thriving business community, we simply must have the best and brightest workforce. If you take responsibility for your actions, are passionate about helping others succeed, and have a reputation for excellence and honesty, why not make Oregon state government your next career move? Joining our team means you open the door to many possibilities. From entry level to executive, outdoor work to policy setting, we have a role for nearly every calling, expertise and background. If you’re looking at us from across the country (or beyond!), know that Oregon is one of the most beautiful places on earth. Made up of seven diverse regions, Oregon has the ocean, mountains, valleys, high desert, cities, small towns, and almost everything in between. Oregon "flies with her own wings."