Pre-Trial Services Officer

Ak-Chin Indian Community•Az 85139, AZ

2d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general supervision of the Court Administrator, the Pre-Trial Services Officer oversees the Pre-Trial Program and the Court Supported Community Service Work Program. Responsibilities include assessing and monitoring arrested and charged persons who are involved in legal proceedings in the Ak-Chin Tribal Court; conduct in-depth risk assessments to determine suitability for release into the Community based on personal recognizance; make recommendation to the Judge concerning conditional release and risk factors.

Requirements

Associates Degree in Administration of Justice or closely related field and a minimum of two years’ experience working with juveniles and/or adults in a court or social services setting with one year of some program administration experience; OR any combination of training, education and experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the duties of the position.
Completion of the Defense Tactics Program under departmental policy or similar related program; OR willingness to complete the program within the first year.
Certification on the Intoxilyzer 8000 or current BAC device per departmental policy; OR willingness to complete the certification within the first year.
Must possess a valid Arizona driver’s license and be insurable under the Community’s insurance carrier.
Due to the confidentiality and sensitive nature of this position, successful completion of an extensive background check is required.
The Pre-trial Services Officer is required to wear a uniform in accordance with departmental policy.
Knowledge of relevant laws, rules and regulations pertaining to community work service and court appointed legal counsel.
Knowledge of principles, practices, methods, techniques, and equipment used in arranging and performing community work services activities.
Knowledge of human behavior, various social economic and cultural backgrounds.
Knowledge of transportation and restraint procedures.
Knowledge of first aid methods and procedures.
Knowledge of criminal justice court systems including tribal, city, state, and federal courts.
Knowledge of ACJIS, NCIC, and applicable laws, rules, and policies governing access to and dissemination of criminal history information.
Knowledge of court process and role of legal counsel in court process.
Skill in safe and effective operations and maintenance of community work service equipment to include urinalysis and blood alcohol equipment and restraints, and electronic monitoring devices.
Ability to give orders, to follow instructions, learn and apply laws and regulations governing probation activities, and to work as a team member.
Ability to direct and monitor the activities of participants in accordance with court orders and provide counseling on a one-to-one basis in connection with work assignments.
Ability to maintain a safe, secure work assignment in community work service and enforce the rules and regulations in compliance with departmental procedures.
Ability to apply training, experience and common sense to identify potentially dangerous situations, to make effective logical decisions, determine the need for additional law enforcement backup and to exercise the appropriate measure of tact or force to resolve dangerous or emotionally charged situations with minimum injury to self and others and minimum damage to property involved.
Ability to demonstrate moral character, honesty, tact, fairness, and desire to help when dealing with juveniles/adults and associate personnel.
Ability to prepare accurate, complete and legible records and reports, and to present detailed accurate and objective oral statements and response to questions.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with associate personnel, other law enforcement agencies, court personnel, public agencies, schools, non-profit organizations, program participants and the public.

Responsibilities

Manages a caseload of defendants who have been arrested, and are awaiting the adjudication of their case.
Interviews and gathers information on background of arrested defendants who are awaiting an initial appearance in front of the court. Information should include their time in community, ties to the community, and other data.
Verifies information gathered through criminal history checks and other sources to determine any criminal history, current status in the criminal justice system and to assess the likelihood of pre-trial misconduct.
Interprets collected data to prepare and submit a bond report making recommendations to the Judge concerning conditional release and risk factors.
Conducts a risk/needs assessment to determine the likelihood of failure to appear and the risk to public safety, as well identify appropriated referrals and other appropriate conditions of release.
Assesses and identifies community referral needs for the defendant in areas such as physical and mental health, substance abuse assistance, employment counseling and school enrollment.
Prepares and submits related reports for judicial review.
Monitors and supervises the defendants ensuring they are familiar with the conditions of their release.
Notifies defendants of scheduled court dates and maintains regular contact during the pending case.
Ensures that the defendant continues to comply with all conditions of release.
May conduct field visits and maintain verbal, written and face-to-face contact (mostly in the office setting) with defendants to ensure compliance with conditions of release.
Locates and contacts public agencies, schools, and non-profit organizations to elicit community service work.
Coordinates the activities of the work assignment with the organization and arranges scheduling, transportation, and supervision of assigned participants.
Ensures the safety of the participants during the performance of the work assignment.
Explains community service work rules, regulations, and procedures to participants and family members.
Communicates further ramifications if violation of program occurs.
Reviews and enforces work rules and departmental guidelines during the performance of assignment.
Coordinates placement of juveniles/adults in work assignments, including transporting participants to the work site, and arranging for tools and supplies required by the work assignment.
Supervises weekend community service work performed by juveniles/adults assigned to the Court Supported Community Service Work Program.
Reviews and evaluates the work performed by the juveniles/adults for quality, behavior and attitude expressed while working.
Visits participant’s home, work, or school to arrange work schedules.
Maintains chronological logs and records of participant’s activity, progress, and behavior by inputting information into an automated database.
Responds to inquiries by family members, probation officers, law enforcement officers and others within scope of authorization and in accordance with departmental procedures and the department’s community work service manual.
Attends and represents Pretrial Services at initial appearances, arraignment hearings, and other court proceedings as required, and provides the Court with timely oral or written bail reports (including supplemental and violation reports) in accordance with applicable reporting deadlines.
Prepares and submits supplemental reports, violation reports, and violation letters to the Court when a defendant is rearrested, fails to report, or otherwise violates a condition of release, and attends related violation hearings.
Requests Court-ordered warrants or summonses for non-compliant defendants and documents all efforts made to return defendants to compliance.
Establishes and maintains secure, organized, and confidential defendant case files, including a chronological record of hearings and case activity, in accordance with case file protocols; ensures proper handling, storage, and authorized removal of case file documents.
Coordinates and, where trained and certified, administers or arranges drug and Breath Alcohol Content (BAC) testing for defendants as ordered by the Court or requested voluntarily, and coordinates related substance abuse and alcohol treatment referrals and provider contact.
Conducts background and criminal history investigations using the Arizona Criminal Justice Information System (ACJIS), National Crime Information Center (NCIC), and other tribal, city, state, and federal sources, in compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and confidentiality requirements.
Coordinates victim notification responsibilities with the Prosecutor's Office in accordance with the Community's Victims' Rights Ordinance, including notification of bail hearing dates and the victim's right to testify.
Maintains the confidentiality of Pretrial Services records and reports in accordance with policy, including restrictions on copying, disclosure, and retention by counsel.
Completes required officer safety training (e.g., Defensive Tactics Program) and follows established safety protocols during field contacts, including submitting field itineraries to a supervisor and requesting a police escort for contacts conducted outside of regular business hours.
Performs special assignments and other work-related duties as assigned.