Court Services Officer 2 - Criminal Division -Pretrial Services

New Jersey Courts•Trenton, NJ

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Mercer Vicinage is seeking a Court Services Officer 2 to join its Pretrial Services Program. The selected candidate will regularly interact with pretrial defendants, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, the county jail, local law enforcement, the private bar, and the public. The role primarily involves monitoring duties, including monitoring conditions of pretrial release for higher-risk defendants and helping them meet goals that support court appearances and public safety. Experience with pretrial services programs is helpful but not required. The position also involves researching criminal case histories, conducting pretrial risk assessments, preparing reports, meeting with defendants, recommending pretrial release conditions to judges, staffing First Appearance/Central Judicial Processing hearings, and providing guidance to Superior Court judges. The officer will report noncompliance with release conditions and provide guidance and referrals to clients with social, emotional, rehabilitative, or other specific needs, while monitoring treatment progress. The role also assists with training and mentoring Pretrial Services staff and stakeholder and community outreach. The position requires a nontraditional workweek, which may include weekends, holidays, and after-hours on-call responsibilities. Schedules may be Monday through Friday or Tuesday through Saturday. Regular and predictable physical presence at the worksite is an essential function. The Judiciary offers a hybrid work schedule, and this position may qualify for up to two remote-work days outside Judiciary buildings, subject to program requirements including high-speed home internet and a multifactor authentication app.

Requirements

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and two years of professional experience in case management involving gathering and analyzing case-related information with judgment and discretion.
The required case-management experience must include 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; or preparing reports of findings and recommendations.
Applicants who lack the required education may substitute additional paraprofessional or professional experience on a year-for-year basis, with one year of experience 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 substitute 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 the United States must be evaluated by a recognized evaluation service.
Must be able to work a nontraditional workweek, which may include weekends, holidays, and after-hours on-call responsibilities.
Must be authorized to work in the United States.
Newly hired employees must agree to a thorough background check that includes fingerprinting.
Newly hired employees must establish and maintain their principal residence in New Jersey within one year, subject to the stated exemption process.
A valid New Jersey driver’s license is required only if operating a vehicle is necessary to perform the position’s essential duties.

Nice To Haves

Experience with pretrial services programs is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

Research criminal case histories and conduct pretrial risk assessments.
Prepare reports, meet with defendants, and make recommendations to judges regarding conditions of pretrial release.
Staff First Appearance/Central Judicial Processing hearings and provide guidance to judges in Superior Court.
Monitor conditions of pretrial release, primarily for higher-risk pretrial defendants.
Assist defendants in attaining goals that support their appearance in court and the safety of the public during pretrial release.
Report noncompliance with conditions of release to the court.
Conduct monitoring activities such as phone calls, in-person reporting interviews, and drug testing.
Provide guidance to clients with social, emotional, rehabilitative, or other specific needs.
Make recommendations or referrals for social services, testing, treatment, and counseling, and monitor clients’ treatment progress.
Assist supervisors with training and mentoring Pretrial Services staff.
Assist with stakeholder and community outreach related to the Pretrial Services Program.
Perform other related duties as required.