Pre-Sentencing Support Specialist

City of Missoula•Missoula, MT

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

Support individuals navigating the court system while helping improve outcomes before sentencing. As a Pre-Sentencing Support Specialist within the Pre-Trial Assistance to Support Success (PASS) program, you’ll provide case support, coordinate community referrals, and help participants understand and comply with pretrial conditions. This position serves as a critical connection between the Court, Judges, attorneys, service providers, and justice-involved individuals to promote accountability, engagement, and continuity of care throughout the pretrial process. We are seeking a compassionate, organized, and collaborative professional who values problem-solving, communication, and public service. If you are passionate about supporting individuals through complex systems while contributing to a more effective and equitable court process, this is an opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the community.

Requirements

Knowledge of general office procedures and practices, including data entry, record management, generating reports, etc.
Knowledge of, or ability to learn, pretrial court operations, PASS program goals, and conditions of release.
Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, general court operations, principles, and practices, including policies, laws, legal codes, regulations, etc.
Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, general criminal justice system operations, including citations, warrants, court orders, and pretrial supervision models.
Knowledge of community-based resources relevant to PASS participants, including treatment, housing, transportation, and legal support services.
Skill in utilizing various computer software and databases, including Microsoft 365, and the ability to learn job-specific applications and equipment.
Skill in case management and accurate documentation within court and PASS databases.
Skill in organization, time management, and prioritizing with the proven ability to have keen attention to detail and accuracy in performing work with adherence to strict deadlines.
Skill in communication, in person and writing, with the proven ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with diverse populations and justice-involved individuals.
Ability to participate in providing collaborative problem-solving solutions.
Ability to provide trauma-informed, customer-focused service while maintaining professional boundaries and program integrity.
Ability to maintain current knowledge, developments, and trends related to specific areas of focus and/or assigned projects.
Ability to exercise discretion and maintain confidentiality when handling sensitive and legally protected information.
Ability to collaborate effectively with Judges, court staff, PASS team members, attorneys, and community partners.
Ability to maintain and foster a culture of professionalism, adhere to departmental and City standards and specifications, and support a positive team environment.
Ability to manage challenging interactions and resolve conflicts while maintaining a calm professional demeanor.
Ability to learn and apply departmental, City of Missoula, and PASS program policies, practices, and procedures.
Any combination of education and experience equivalent to three (3) years of court, criminal legal, or case management experience, or another relevant field.
Must be able to pass a criminal background check.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis at the time of application.

Responsibilities

Conduct pretrial outreach and ongoing communication with PASS participants to explain court processes, conditions of release, and program expectations.
Provide individualized support to assist participants in complying with pretrial conditions, including court appearances, referrals, and program participation.
Monitor, document, and track PASS participant compliance, case status, and outcomes using court databases and case management systems.
Identify barriers to compliance (e.g., transportation, housing instability, treatment access) and facilitate referrals to appropriate community-based services.
Hold regular PASS office hours at various community locations, including the Poverello Center and other partner sites, to engage participants who are difficult to reach through traditional methods.
Attend Jail Court to meet with PASS participants in custody, explain program expectations, review conditions of release, and support timely connection to services upon release.
Collaborate with Judges, court staff, PASS team members, Traffic Court, Community Court, and other related programs to support informed pretrial decision-making.
Prepare, process, and maintain pretrial-related court documentation.
Assist with processes related to driver’s license suspensions and reinstatements, when applicable, during the pretrial phase.
Communicate with attorneys, treatment providers, and partner agencies regarding participant progress, compliance status, and referrals, as permitted by policy.
Participate in PASS program development, including refining workflows, tracking performance measures, and identifying opportunities to improve participant outcomes.
Provide customer-focused assistance to the public, court staff, Judges, and partner agencies via telephone, email, and in person.
Perform other duties as assigned, based on training and qualifications.