Pretrial Specialist - Probation Department (Open & Promotional)

County of San Mateo • San Mateo, CA

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The County of San Mateo Probation Department is seeking highly dedicated candidates with outstanding analytical and collaboration skills to join our team as a Pretrial Specialist to support the Pretrial Services Unit. As a Pretrial Specialist, you'll engage in meaningful face-to-face interactions with incarcerated individuals within a secure correctional facility, demonstrating comfort and dedication to your role, which may involve shift work, including Sundays. In this non-sworn specialist position within the Probation Department, incumbents will have subject matter expertise in the use of County-approved pretrial assessment tools. In this capacity, Pretrial Specialists play a crucial role in supporting both the County of San Mateo Superior Court of California and the Probation Department by gathering, evaluating, and verifying relevant information from detainees. Pretrial Specialists are responsible for determining and recommending eligibility for release on own recognizance or monitored own recognizance. The impactful work of Pretrial Specialists actively contributes to the reduction of negative consequences associated with pretrial incarceration, all while ensuring the utmost public safety.

Requirements

• Two (2) years of journey-level office support experience in a legal office.
• Knowledge of Court and arrest procedures.
• Knowledge of Statutes impacting pre-trial services.
• Knowledge of Interviewing techniques.
• Knowledge of Basic principles of human behavior, specifically the issues common to criminal behavior.
• Knowledge of Legal documents, terminology, processes, procedures, and forms.
• Knowledge of Probation department policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of Relevant computer applications and software used in the performance of the work.
• Knowledge of Office practices and procedures, including filing and the operation of standard office equipment.
• Knowledge of Business letter writing and the standard format for typed materials.
• Knowledge of Correct English usage, including spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Knowledge of Business arithmetic, including percentages and decimals.
• Knowledge of Record keeping principles and practices.
• Ability to Perform technical, specialized, complex, or difficult legal and pre-trial support work.
• Ability to Read, understand, and analyze legal documents originating in justice partner agencies.
• Ability to Interview criminal defendants and obtain information.
• Ability to Investigate, research, and interpret criminal histories.
• Ability to Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Ability to Organize, prioritize, and coordinate work activities.
• Ability to Read and interpret rules, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to Deal tactfully and effectively with a variety of individuals, some of whom may be hostile or irate.
• Ability to Organize, research, and maintain legal office files.
• Ability to Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of the work.
• Ability to Compose routine correspondence from brief instructions.
• Ability to Use initiative and sound independent judgment within established guidelines.
• Ability to Operate standard office equipment, such as a word processor, personal or online computer, and centralized telephone equipment.
• Ability to Work non-traditional hours.
• Ability to Meet time-sensitive deadlines.
• Selected candidates must successfully pass a detailed background and/or criminal history review conducted by the Sheriff’s Office, be cleared to work in a locked facility, and are expected to maintain the clearance.
• Felony and misdemeanor convictions may be disqualifying depending on type, number, severity, and recency.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual Proficiency in Spanish: Skilled in conducting professional conversations, writing documents, and interpreting information accurately in Spanish is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Perform difficult, complex, technical, and/or specialized confidential legal office support work requiring the exercise of independent judgment, application of technical skills, and knowledge of pretrial assessment tools and procedures.
• Interview pre-arraigned detainees charged with criminal offenses and verify the information obtained.
• Review and interpret criminal histories and other legal documents.
• Assess and determine detainees' eligibility and/or appropriateness for release from custody using a combination of established criteria and background data obtained.
• Compile and complete required release forms.
• Install alcohol monitoring (AlcoTag) or global positioning system (GPS) devices on inmates released per court order.
• Prepare and obtain signatures for various documents, including promise-to-appear notices and release-on-own-recognizance forms.
• Schedule defendants for court appearances and document all contacts with defendants.
• Set up client cases in the case management system and send court date reminders.
• Monitor the telephone reporting system for client compliance with check-in requirements.
• Research and gather information from a variety of sources for completing forms or preparing reports; make arithmetic and statistical calculations as needed.
• Organize, maintain, and purge various departmental files.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• The County of San Mateo, as an employer, is committed to advancing equity in order to ensure that all employees are welcomed in a safe and inclusive environment.
• The County seeks to hire, support, and retain employees who reflect our diverse community.
• Eighty percent of employees surveyed stated that they would recommend the County as a great place to work.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed