Pretrial Services Officer I

County of Thurston • Olympia, WA

17h

About The Position

Thurston County Pretrial Services is hiring a Pretrial Services Officer I to work on its Pretrial Diversion Team. The team collaborates with criminal justice and behavioral health partners to help individuals complete treatment-focused diversion agreements in lieu of incarceration, which may result in dismissal of criminal charges. The officer manages a caseload of people with behavioral health needs, connects them with community services, monitors compliance, and supports court processes through reports, recommendations, and testimony as needed. The role also involves conducting risk and needs assessments, reviewing records, interviewing individuals, accessing criminal history databases, and communicating with attorneys, court personnel, and community providers.

The position is performed primarily in an office and involves daily interactions by phone, in person, and by video with members of the public, justice partners, and colleagues. Interactions may include argumentative individuals or highly emotional situations. The usual schedule is Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., or as approved by a supervisor. Workload may occasionally require hours outside the assigned schedule. Occasional travel may be needed for meetings, trainings, or screening clients for the diversion program.

The advertised salary is $5,405–$7,189 per month. Thurston County highlights work-life balance, employee benefits, paid leave, training and professional development, flexible scheduling options, deferred compensation, flexible spending accounts, and eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in behavioral or social sciences, criminal justice, or public administration; additional years of experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis.
• Completed coursework in substance use, mental health, and/or domestic violence studies.
• Three years of experience in criminal justice or social services interviewing, counseling, or supervising justice-involved individuals.
• Ability to pass background clearance for access to a corrections facility and to run criminal record histories.
• Current Washington State driver's license, or have requested and obtained an appropriate accommodation.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of evidence-based diversion and pretrial practices.
• Experience with casework, including working with individuals with behavioral health needs.
• Experience collaborating with a variety of stakeholders.
• Experience de-escalating individuals in crisis.
• Knowledge of local community resources.
• Ability to establish priorities and work independently.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of individuals with behavioral health needs who have entered diversion agreements.
• Make referrals to community service providers.
• Monitor compliance with diversion agreements and conditions of release.
• Submit written reports, make recommendations, and testify in court as needed.
• Conduct risk and needs assessments by interviewing individuals involved in criminal cases and reviewing records.
• Access criminal history databases.
• Communicate with attorneys, court personnel, and community-based providers.
• Maintain accurate files and ensure court documentation is filed promptly.
• Attend occasional meetings or trainings and screen referred clients for the diversion program as needed.

Benefits

• Retirement plan.
• Pre-tax savings accounts.
• Comprehensive health care and dental and vision care for employees and their families.
• Paid vacation and holidays for full-time regular employees.
• County-paid training, with encouragement to participate in professional organizations and conferences.
• Flexible work schedule options, including alternative or compressed schedules and/or remote working.
• Three voluntary deferred compensation plans.
• Section 125 flexible spending accounts for out-of-pocket health care and daycare expenses.
• Eligibility for the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program for qualifying full-time public service employees.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level