Pretrial Officer

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree with major course work in criminal justice, behavioral sciences, social work, or related field and one year of related experience; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Must satisfactorily complete local, state and national criminal history and fingerprint checks. Applicants within six months of meeting the education/experience requirement may be considered for trainee status. 

A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment.   If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and /or a conviction/pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position. 

Must successfully obtain the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies (NAPSA) Certified Pretrial Services Professional (CPSP) certification for release within one year of employment and maintain certification in accordance with NAPSA standards; recertification required every three years. 

Successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.

Position Summary

This is a responsible professional position in the Court Services Department.

An employee assigned to this classification is responsible for the assessment, supervision and management of a case load of criminal defendants.

Work is performed under the direction of a higher level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, case reviews, reports, and observation of results obtained.

Examples of Duties

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and/or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.
 

Exudes a positive customer service focus.

Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with core values including:  integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication.
 Provides supervision of high, medium or low risk defendants via office, home and work site visits utilizing personal and/or County vehicle.

Assesses defendants, makes appropriate treatment referrals and coordinates assistance for defendants among various community treatment agencies.

Provides case management services to defendants.

Supervises and manages all aspects of a defendant's court ordered conditions.

Maintains detailed defendant records in the information management systems, compiles statistics and prepares reports.

Assists supervisor in preparing documentation for the program's annual budget submission.

Interviews criminal defendants at the County Detention Center as needed.
Assists with writing policies and procedures.

Assists in the development of new employee training procedures and ensures the completion of same by each new employee.

Drives a County and/or personal vehicle to perform required duties. 

Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.
NOTE: These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Thorough knowledge of state and local laws, rules and regulations regarding pretrial release and defendant obligations.

Thorough knowledge of the operation of the criminal justice system and process.

Knowledge of professional standards of pretrial release programs.

Knowledge of basic theory and current practices in the treatment of alcohol abuse, drug abuse and mental illness.

Ability to effectively interview defendants and assess their physical, mental and legal status.

Ability to independently investigate defendant's prior behavior and present circumstances, and develop appropriate plan for release or detention.

Ability to effectively present recommendations/release plans to the judiciary.

Ability to establish and maintain a good working relationship with clients, their families and other members of the criminal justice community.

Ability to plan and organize work effectively.

Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing and to prepare written reports.

Ability to create and maintain accurate client records within a computerized information management system.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee is frequently required reach and to be mobile.

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment usually ranges from moderate to loud.

An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.BoCC-Contributed Benefits

• Medical/Health Insurance  
• Employee Life Insurance  
• Florida Retirement System  
• Employee Assistance Program

Optional Benefits

• Dental Insurance  
• Vision Insurance
• Supplemental & Dependent Life Insurance
• Deferred Retirement Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Roth IRA
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Computer Purchase Program

NOTE: For detailed information regarding available benefits click here.

You may also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding benefits. 

• FLORIDA RETIREMENT SYSTEM (FRS) The Florida Retirement System is a retirement plan designed to provide an income to a vested employee and his/her family when the employee retires, becomes partially or totally disabled, or dies prior to retirement.  A defined benefit or defined contribution option may be chosen by the employee.
• TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Permanent, full-time employees are eligible for educational assistance funds. Contact the Human Resources Office for program details.
• HOLIDAYS Holidays are as follows: 

1. New Years Day  
2. Martin Luther King Day  
3. Memorial Day  
4. Juneteenth
5. Independence Day  
6. Labor Day  
7. Veterans' Day  
8. Thanksgiving Day  
9. Friday following Thanksgiving  
10. Christmas Eve (IAFF*)  
11. Christmas Day  
12. Additional Christmas Holiday (All non-IAFF employees)  
13. 2 Floating Holidays  (All non- IAFF employees)

*IAFF – International Association of FirefightersPay periods are every two weeks, Monday through Sunday. Payday is Friday. International Association of Firefighters follow the General Contract 7k regarding holidays.

Vacation Leave – Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-2.

Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees*. At the end of each fiscal year, eligible employees can convert up to 10 days of accrued sick leave to vacation leave on a 2:1 basis. For more detailed information regarding sick leave refer to Employee Policy Manual, Section 7-3 *Accruals slightly different for IAFF employee.

$45,468.80 Annually