SSD - Casework Officer

Circuit Court of Cook County, Illinois•Chicago, IL

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Social Service Department of the Circuit Court of Cook County is seeking a Casework Officer. This role involves managing post-conviction offenders through individual supervision plans and providing specialized intervention, as well as assisting the court in making decisions regarding pretrial release conditions. Assignments are available in various areas including Domestic Violence, Diversified, Interstate/Intrastate Compact, DUI, Community Service, Intake/Court Liaison, Restorative Justice, Post Release, Victim Advocate, GPS Liaison, and Sex Offender. The position requires adherence to department policies, confidentiality, and professional conduct. Responsibilities include conducting criminal history checks, implementing supervision plans, conducting intake interviews, advising the court, monitoring caseloads, and appearing in court. Specific duties for Pretrial Casework Officers involve assessing misdemeanor offenders, conducting risk assessments (PSA) and domestic violence screenings, and monitoring client compliance with release conditions. Caseload Casework Officers conduct criminogenic need assessments, make referrals, manage caseloads, build relationships with service providers and the judiciary, conduct field contacts, and perform drug testing.

Requirements

Possess a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree
Possess 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.
Must be certified by the Administrative Office of Illinois Courts
Must be certified by the Office of Statewide Pretrial Services
Must pass a pre-employment drug screening
Must pass a criminal background check

Responsibilities

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.
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 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.
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.