Pretrial Release Specialist

The Position

Essential Functions

• Assess pretrial clients using evidence-based instruments, and recommend appropriate release conditions.
• Establish and maintain effective work relationships with clients, supervisors, County employees, elected officials, attorneys, law enforcement, judges, other agencies, and the public.
• Comply with Civil Service policies and regulations, collective bargaining agreements, County policies, department policies and laws to create a cooperative, safe, respectful and quality work environment.
• Supervise, monitor and manage pretrial release clients (e.g. referrals, program violations, court reminders, employment verification, travel restrictions, revocations, compliance reporting, statistical data, documentation).
• Make reliable release recommendations, communicating with community providers, law enforcement, counsel, and jail and court personnel.
• Develop, prepare/create reports and maintain records (e.g. quality summary report).
• Prepare pretrial supervision releases, providing orientation regarding release conditions and reviewing the court order.
• Identify the individual needs of community pretrial release clients, recommending and referring to community providers.
• Monitor community pretrial release clients through phone calls, electronic monitoring and in-person meetings.
• Conduct regular criminal history record checks on all community pretrial release clients.
• Notify the courts of all electronic monitoring violations.
• Assist with the implementation of community-based supervision initiatives increasing the ability to divert individuals from jail.
• Support other Community Corrections programs (e.g. House Arrest, Work Release, and Reentry Assistance Program, 24/7).
• Assist and supervise Pro Se inmates with conducting legal research.
• Process and document inmate Law Library requests.
• Provide basic legal forms for inmates.
• Manage inventory and store Pro Se inmate discovery materials.
• Assist with accreditation efforts.
• Develop/maintain connections with community agencies and support groups.
• Assist in resource development and policy and program development/evaluation and recommend improvements.
• Train new staff members, volunteers, interns and practicum students.
• Attend, participate in, or present professional development workshops, training and conferences.
• Ensure compliance with Nebraska Jail Standards Board and the American Correctional Association Adult Local Detention Standards.
• Develop and/or coordinate staff training regarding policies, procedures, and post orders.
• Ensure client constitutional rights are maintained.
• Maintain job knowledge and skill (e.g. research, meetings, webinars, seminars, conferences, continuing education).
• Safely operate a motor vehicle when required to travel on County business.
• Report to work with regular, consistent attendance.
• Perform other duties as assigned and directed.

Education and Work Experience and Other Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college in Psychology, Social Work, Human Services, Criminal Justice, or Law required*.
• Two (2) years of experience in human services or criminal justice work preferred.
• One (1) year of MSOffice experience required.
• Valid driver's license and own transportation upon hire and maintained throughout employment required.
• Completion of a pre-employment criminal records check and post-offer drug screen required.
• • Equivalent combination of education and work experience may be substituted for requirements on a year-for-year basis.

Physical Requirements & Working Conditions

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Work is generally performed in an office, classroom or dormitory. Noise level is usually moderate. Work hours are typically standard day-shift hours; however, schedule may vary (e.g. days, shifts, weekends, holiday, overtime/extra hours, emergency call-in). Work involves potential exposure to biohazards. Work may also be stressful when dealing with time constraints, multiple/changing priorities, limited resources, and uncooperative/irate individuals.
• Work requires some physical activity, including extended periods of sitting, standing, frequent walking, reaching, carrying, climbing, and occasional balancing, kneeling, bending, and stooping. Incumbent must have the ability to respond appropriately in emergency situations. Work also requires the ability to frequently lift and/or carry objects weighing up to 10 pounds and occasionally up to 25 pounds.
• Required sensory abilities include vision, hearing and touch. Visual abilities, correctable to normal ranges, include close, distance and color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Communication abilities include the ability to talk and hear within normal ranges. Incumbent must also possess the hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate computers and other equipment.

Douglas County is an EOE - Disability/Veterans