Pre-Trial Release Specialist

Center for Justice Innovation•City of Syracuse, NY

5d•$52,000 - $53,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Onondaga County Pretrial Release Program (OC-PRP) offers an alternative to pretrial detention and bail by helping participants attend court appearances and avoid rearrest while remaining in their communities. Program staff provide regular check-ins and connect participants with community-based programs, services, and resources. The program uses a validated release assessment and clinical expertise to identify participants who may benefit from support and connect them with services that address their needs. Pre-Trial Release Specialists help ensure high-quality service to participants and meet obligations to court stakeholders. Reporting to the Associate Director of Program Operations, Specialists supervise participants according to assigned supervision levels; identify and address barriers to compliance and court attendance; conduct outreach to participants, court stakeholders, and service providers; make referrals; and maintain timely, accurate court reporting. The role is based in Syracuse, New York, and requires in-person work, including evenings and weekends as needed. Typical rotating shifts are 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m., 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., or 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree and at least one year of experience in a related area, preferably as a criminal justice practitioner; alternatively, three to four years of experience in the criminal justice field may qualify as an equivalent.
Strong organizational and time-management skills and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently and as part of a highly interdependent, multidisciplinary team in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
Professional demeanor and ability to collaborate effectively with judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, court staff, and partner agencies.
Ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds in a culturally responsive manner.
Proficiency with Microsoft and Google suites.
Legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of application and throughout employment; the employer cannot sponsor or assume sponsorship of an employment visa.
Ability to work in person and work rotating shifts, including evenings and weekends as needed.

Nice To Haves

Experience in pretrial services, court-based work, or the criminal legal system.
Experience working with people in connection with substance use treatment, mental health services, co-occurring disorders, or adolescent development.
Experience using trauma-informed and strength-based approaches.

Responsibilities

Appear at daily arraignments, including evenings and weekends, to provide program information and orient newly mandated participants.
Appear in other court parts where participants have hearings, including evenings and weekends.
Track cases and complete court-based data entry for newly released participants.
Provide written and verbal case updates to the court and court staff, including compliance reports as appropriate.
Connect participants immediately with program staff or other service providers when needed.
Ensure newly released participants are scheduled for program intake or re-release check-ins.
Communicate professionally with defense attorneys, prosecutors, court staff, and other justice-system stakeholders.
Interview defendants and collect information about criminal history, community ties, residence, employment, and family support.
Complete intake forms and assessments accurately and promptly.
Determine eligibility for pretrial release under established program criteria and make recommendations to the court.
Conduct risk assessments and complete documentation for court presentation.
Gather and verify collateral information from family members, employers, service providers, and other relevant sources.
Supervise participants according to assigned supervision levels, using the specified check-in methods and frequency and treating participants with dignity and respect.
Work with participants to identify and address barriers to supervision compliance and court attendance.
Coordinate internal and external resources and service referrals, including for substance use, mental health, trauma, intimate partner violence, housing, education, and employment needs.
Maintain accurate and timely data entry and case documentation consistent with program policies, the program model, and court reporting obligations.
Conduct outreach to participants and defense attorneys to support compliance with supervision requirements.
Monitor and document compliance with court-ordered electronic monitoring requirements.
Communicate alerts, violations, and technical issues involving electronic monitoring equipment promptly to the monitoring vendor, court personnel, and supervisory staff.
Record monitoring status and compliance updates accurately and promptly in the case management system.
Submit accurate and timely compliance and noncompliance reports to the court within designated time frames.
Protect the confidentiality of participant and court-related information.
Coordinate participant referrals and monitor engagement in collaboration with community service providers.
Maintain relationships with justice-system partners, including court staff, defense attorneys, prosecutors, and law enforcement.
Communicate and collaborate across teams to identify successes, challenges, and opportunities to strengthen programming and make effective use of resources and expertise.
Participate in team meetings, case reviews, individual and group supervision meetings, and staff trainings.
Participate in multidisciplinary partner meetings to support consistent communication and coordination regarding defendants’ cases.
Represent the Pretrial Services Program at community events and professional meetings as needed.
Perform additional tasks as necessary.