Alternative Sentencing Intake Specialist #1854 - Pretrial Services Program - Public Safety

Hamilton County • Chattanooga, TN

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Under general supervision, the Alternative Sentencing Intake Specialist assists with coordinating and placing defendants into alternative sentencing programs. The role obtains paperwork and instructions concerning possible placement in Community Corrections, Pretrial Services, Hamilton County Probation, or the Courts Community Service program; interviews clients and defendants; gathers information and checks records to determine eligibility; and maintains program records and files. The specialist may attend Show Cause hearings, testify in court regarding case status, log court orders and distribute them for review and signature, conduct drug screens, and install or remove electronic monitoring equipment. Other related duties may be assigned.

The position requires knowledge of applicable Tennessee statutes, rules, administrative orders, policies and procedures; relevant federal rules and requirements; Hamilton County policies and procedures; record keeping; legal terminology; and court processes. It also requires communication, customer service, computer, and relationship-building skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Word and Excel. This is a safety-sensitive, in-person position requiring regular and punctual attendance. Work involves minimal physical effort with intermittent sitting, standing, and walking, as well as occasional driving, and carries risk of bodily harm and potential exposure to infectious diseases.

Applicants must have a valid driver’s license at application and obtain a Class F endorsement within three months of hire. Before operating a County-owned vehicle, employees must complete the County defensive-driving course and/or a department-level Emergency Vehicle Operations Course. Required certifications or training must be obtained within six months of employment and maintained. Overtime is not guaranteed. Work on holidays or weekends, irregular hours, shift work, and short-notice shift extensions may be required. The County conducts drug and alcohol screening in specified circumstances, including pre-employment, reasonable-cause, post-accident, random, return-to-duty, and follow-up testing.

Requirements

• Equivalent of a high school diploma.
• One year of direct work experience in Criminal Justice, Social Services, Juvenile Justice, or a related field.
• Valid driver’s license at the time of application.
• Obtain a Class F endorsement within three months of hire.
• Complete the HC Defensive Driving course and/or an Emergency Vehicle Operations Course (EVOC) before operating a County-owned vehicle.
• Obtain required certification or training within six months of employment and retain certifications and pass training mandated by applicable Tennessee requirements and Hamilton County policies.
• Knowledge of applicable Tennessee statutes, rules, administrative orders, policies and procedures, applicable federal rules and requirements, Hamilton County policies and procedures, record keeping, legal terminology, and court processes and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with employees, inmates, probationers, families, law enforcement, interested parties, vendors, news media, and the public.
• Skill in identifying and utilizing community resources and services.
• Skill in operating a personal computer and a variety of software applications.
• Effective oral and written communication skills and customer service/public relations skills.
• Skill in Microsoft Office, specifically Word and Excel.
• Ability to meet safety-sensitive drug and alcohol screening requirements.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of intermittent sitting, standing, walking, and occasional driving, while working with risk of bodily harm and potential exposure to infectious diseases.
• Regular and punctual in-person attendance; work may include holidays or weekends, irregular hours, shift work, and short-notice extensions of shift hours.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in both English and Spanish; a test will be required.

Responsibilities

• Obtain paperwork and instructions regarding possible placement of individuals into Community Corrections, Pretrial Services, Hamilton County Probation, or the Courts Community Service program.
• Interview clients and defendants and gather information regarding possible program placement.
• Perform record checks to determine eligibility for program acceptance.
• Gather, maintain, and update records and files.
• Attend Show Cause hearings and testify in court regarding status.
• Log court orders and distribute them for review and signature.
• Perform drug screens on defendants when necessary.
• Install and remove electronic monitoring equipment.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED