Court Services Officer 2 - Pretrial Services - Criminal Division

New Jersey Courts•Newark, NJ

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

When you come to work for New Jersey Judiciary you will join an 8500-member strong TEAM that operates with the highest standards of independence, integrity, fairness and quality service. You will be engaged with work that has purpose, meaning and makes a difference in lives of the public we serve. We work hard every day to build the public’s trust and confidence in our court system, which includes issues such as bail reform, marijuana decriminalization and recovery court. Whether it be in a courtroom, an administrative office, a courthouse training room, an IT office or in the field, our Judiciary workforce is improving the lives of countless individuals and families every day. We honor the dignity and individualism of each member of our organization while fostering professionalism and continuous improvement in our work. The selected candidate will primarily be required to monitor the conditions of pretrial release for individuals ordered to more stringent monitoring and more frequent contact with the courts, to assist these individuals in attaining specific goals to ensure their appearance in court and the safety of the public during the individual’s period of pretrial release and report the individuals’ compliance or non-compliance with conditions of release to the court. In addition, this position will be responsible for researching criminal case histories, conducting pretrial risk assessments, preparing reports, meeting with defendants, making recommendations to judges regarding conditions of pretrial release for pretrial defendants, and staffing first appearance/Central Judicial Processing hearings and pretrial detention hearings. The selected candidate will provide guidance to clients with specific needs, including but not limited to social, emotional, and rehabilitative concerns. This position will make recommendations and/or referrals for social services, testing, treatment and/or counseling and will monitor clients' treatment progress. In addition, the position would be responsible for assisting supervisors with training and mentoring of Pretrial Services staff and assisting with stakeholder and community outreach related to the Pretrial Services Program. The selected candidate will be required to work a non-traditional work week, which may include weekends, holidays and after hours on-call responsibilities. Perform other related duties as required. Note: This position will primarily handle monitoring duties. Experience with pretrial services programs is helpful but not required. The Judiciary currently offers a hybrid work schedule, and this position may qualify for up to 2 days of remote work outside of Judiciary buildings. To participate in this program, in addition to installing a multifactor authentication app on your phone or tablet, you will be required to have high speed home internet access.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree.
Two years of professional experience in case management involving gathering and analyzing case-related information which shall have included the exercise of judgment and discretion.
Experience in one or more of the following: reviewing cases to identify case management and discovery needs, coordinating with judges and/or attorneys to resolve case issues, and/or preparing reports of findings and recommendations.
Applicants who do not possess the required education may substitute additional paraprofessional or professional experience on a year-for-year basis with one year of such experience being equal to 30 semester hour credits.
An associate degree from an accredited college or university and two years of additional paraprofessional or professional experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree.
A master’s degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for one year of experience.
Degrees conferred outside of the United States must be evaluated by a recognized evaluation service.
Appointees will be required to possess a driver’s license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Selected candidate must be authorized to work in the US according to Department of Homeland Security, US Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations.
Newly hired employees must agree to a thorough background check that will include fingerprinting.
All persons newly hired by the Judiciary within one year must establish, and then maintain, principal residence in the State of New Jersey.

Nice To Haves

Experience with pretrial services programs is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

Monitor the conditions of pretrial release for individuals ordered to more stringent monitoring and more frequent contact with the courts.
Assist these individuals in attaining specific goals to ensure their appearance in court and the safety of the public during the individual’s period of pretrial release.
Report the individuals’ compliance or non-compliance with conditions of release to the court.
Research criminal case histories.
Conduct pretrial risk assessments.
Prepare reports.
Meet with defendants.
Make recommendations to judges regarding conditions of pretrial release for pretrial defendants.
Staff first appearance/Central Judicial Processing hearings and pretrial detention hearings.
Provide guidance to clients with specific needs, including but not limited to social, emotional, and rehabilitative concerns.
Make recommendations and/or referrals for social services, testing, treatment and/or counseling.
Monitor clients' treatment progress.
Assist supervisors with training and mentoring of Pretrial Services staff.
Assist with stakeholder and community outreach related to the Pretrial Services Program.
Work a non-traditional work week, which may include weekends, holidays and after hours on-call responsibilities.
Perform other related duties as required.