SSD - Casework Officer

Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois; Illinois; On-site; USD 61,000 - 74,000; Full time

Job summary

The Circuit Court of Cook County is seeking a Casework Officer in the Social Service Department. The role covers Pretrial Casework, SSD Casework, and a wide range of assignments including Domestic Violence, GPS Liaison, Restorative Justice, and Victim Advocate duties.

Officers gather information using PSA tools to assist decisions on pretrial release, manage post-conviction supervision, and work with courts to ensure client compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and eligibility certification required.
• Working knowledge of the criminal court system, probation policies, and procedures.
• Excellent organizational and written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to operate the department’s computer systems.
• Valid Illinois driver’s license and insured vehicle availability.

Responsibilities

• Perform duties in accordance with department policy, standards, and procedures.
• Maintain confidentiality, professionalism, and code of conduct for sworn officers.
• Conduct arrest history checks via LEADS and other systems per policy.
• Implement supervision plans and determine reporting frequency.
• Conduct intake interviews for placements within the department’s programs.
• Advise the court on offender compliance through appropriate correspondence.
• Monitor caseloads using the department’s case management systems (cFive, ICOTS, UCCI, etc.).
• Appear in court on behalf of the Department.
• Participate in scheduled group or individual case management supervision.
• Attend required trainings including the 40-hour Domestic Violence training and mandated reporting training.
• Perform all duties related to the casework assignment.

Skills

Excellent organizational skills

Written and verbal communication

Confidentiality awareness

Computer systems proficiency

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

Certification of eligibility for employment by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

• Domestic Violence/Family Violence
• Diversified
• Interstate/Intrastate Compact
• DUI Intensive/Enhanced DUI/DUI Intensive Female
• DUI Evaluator
• Domestic Violence Group Facilitator
• Community Service Placement & Resource Coordinator
• Restorative Justice
• Post Release (Pre-Trial)
• Sex Offender

SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT

CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE: CASEWORK OFFICER

DIVISION: SWORN STAFF

GRADE: PS1 + PSB

SALARY: $67,308

UNION: AFSCME LOCAL 3696

REPORTS TO: CASEWORK OFFICER SUPERVISOR

POSITION SUMMARY

Pretrial Casework Officer The general function of the Pretrial Casework Officer is to gather information using the Public Safety Assessment tool to assist the court in making decisions regarding conditions of pretrial release of offenders during initial court appearances. This position is established in all five municipal districts as well as the Domestic Violence Court and the Leighton Criminal Courts building. Staff in this position will be required to work all weekends and holidays with two off days during the week.

SSD Casework Officer The general functions of the SSD Casework Officer are to manage post-conviction offenders via the implementation of individual supervision plans and to provide specialized intervention. Individuals are sentenced or ordered to the department by the courts for a variety of offenses encompassing a multitude of felony, misdemeanor, traffic and ordinance offenses. The following assignments are available to Casework officers:

• Domestic Violence/Family Violence
• Diversified
• Interstate/Intrastate Compact
• DUI Intensive/Enhanced DUI/DUI Intensive Female
• DUI Evaluator
• Domestic Violence Group Facilitator
• Community Service Placement & Resource Coordinator
• Intake/Court Liaison
• Restorative Justice
• Post Release (Pre-Trial)
• Victim Advocate
• GPS Liaison
• Sex Offender

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF CASEWORK OFFICERS

• Perform job duties in adherence with the department policy, practice, and procedure.
• Adhere to department standards of confidentiality, professionalism, and Code of Conduct of Sworn Officers.
• Conduct criminal arrest history checks via LEADS and other available management information systems in accordance with policy.
• Implement supervision plans, action steps, and determine the type and frequency of reporting (i.e. individual and group).
• Conduct intake interviews as per Department guidelines with offenders for placement within the Department’s programs.
• Advise the court regarding offender compliance, non-compliance, and other matters per Department guidelines, through the completion of all court related correspondence.
• Monitor caseloads through the department’s case management systems (cFive, ICOTS, UCCI, etc.)
• Will be required to appear in court on behalf of the Department
• Participate in scheduled group or individual case management supervision.
• Attend required trainings, including but not limited to the 40-hour Domestic Violence training and Illinois Mandated Reporter Training.
• Perform all duties associated with the casework assignment, as follows:

Pretrial Casework Officer

• Obtain a daily listing all misdemeanor offenders appearing in court for initial appearance and/or detention hearings.
• Conduct risk assessments (PSA) and the domestic violence screening instrument (DVSI) to present to the court for initial court appearances and detention hearings.
• Conduct criminal arrest history checks via LEADS and other available management information systems in accordance with policy
• Conduct regularly scheduled meetings with clients to address the conditions of pretrial release, conduct criminal record checks; remind clients of scheduled court dates and provide the court with status reports regarding the client’s compliance with conditions of release.

Caseload Casework Officer

• Conduct thorough offender criminogenic need assessments, make requisite referrals for programming, and provide rigorous caseload management.
• Build and maintain collaborative professional relationships with service providers to monitor and support the offender’s behavior change and court-order compliance
• Build and maintain collaborative, professional relationships with the judiciary to effectively meet the needs of the court and offenders.
• Will be required to conduct field contacts with offenders in accordance with the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts contact standards
• Will be required to complete drug testing as ordered by the court.

The duties listed are not set forth for the purpose of limiting the assignment or work. They are not to be construed as a complete list of the duties to be performed under the job title or those to be performed temporarily outside of an employee’s normal line of work.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Long periods of walking and standing.
• Sit/work in front of a computer screen for extended periods of time.
• Able to ambulate throughout the office.
• Intermittently twist to reach equipment or supplies surrounding the desk.
• Perform simple grasping and fine manipulation.
• Strength to lift files weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Use telephone and computer keyboard on a daily basis.
• Possess the ability to work in person 100% of the scheduled work week.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree and certification of eligibility for employment by the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts.
• Possess working knowledge of the criminal court system, and probation policies and procedures.
• Possess excellent organizational and written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to issues related to confidentiality.
• Possess the ability to operate the various computer systems utilized by the Department.
• Possess a valid Illinois Driver’s license and availability of an insured motor vehicle.

As a condition of employment, you must be certified by the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts and Office of Statewide Pretrial Services. The certifications can be found at https://www.illinoiscourts.gov/documents-and-forms/employment-application/ and https://www.ilosps.gov/justice-partners/pretrial-eligible-application/.

This position requires a pre-employment drug screening and criminal background check. Applicants are advised that as a Drug Free Workplace, use of medical or recreational marijuana is prohibited and will disqualify a candidate from employment.

All offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of all required screening criteria.

Information concerning the benefits for this position can be found at the Circuit Court of Cook County Employment Opportunities Page.

THE CIRCUIT COURT OF COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

It is the policy of the Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County to provide equal opportunity in employment to all employees and applicants for employment. No person is to be discriminated against in employment because of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, disability, or sexual orientation.