Job Description

Posting number: 2370

Department: Probation

Job classification: Probation Officer

Posting type: Open

Categories: Probation

Summary

The pretrial officer investigates, supervises, and counsels defendants in the county pretrial system. Officers assist defendants under bail supervision in their navigation through the criminal process, including reminders for scheduled court appearances, help with special problems such as chemical dependency, psychological difficulties, and anti-social behaviors. Defendants are supervised to ensure that they adhere to the conditions of bail. Pretrial officers work a seven day a week rotating shift as scheduled and are required to respond to emergency call outs on any day or time to administer to departmental needs as directed. They may also be scheduled to perform twenty-four hour on-call duty responding to emergency calls from contracted service providers, other law enforcement agencies and the public. There is an element of physical danger in working with pretrial violators and supervising defendants, therefore physical fitness is necessary, to include annual trainings and certifications in self-defense, use of force/control tactics, and the use of non-lethal weapons. Annual qualification and the carrying of a concealed department provided firearm while on duty is mandatory.

Examples of duties

• The pretrial officer investigates, supervises, and counsels defendants in the county pretrial system.
• Prepares bail investigation and bail violation reports.
• Makes collateral contacts with agencies to ensure compliance with bail conditions.
• Investigates activities of defendants to ascertain whether they are violating or remaining compliant with the terms of their bail conditions.
• Makes intelligent and informed decisions directly affecting public safety and the personal liberties of defendants.
• Makes or assists in making arrests and transporting violators to correctional institutions.
• Prepares all bail violation reports and testifies at bail hearings.
• Prepares special reports for the Court as required.
• Conducts urinalysis and breath alcohol testing.
• Performs other duties as directed.

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of casework principles and practices.
• Knowledge of the principles and methods of pretrial/bail investigation and supervision.
• Knowledge of court procedures and county pretrial policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of modern principles of criminology and penology.
• Knowledge of individual and group behavior with special emphasis on behavior deviations of persons who have been convicted of crimes.
• Knowledge of current social, economic, and addiction problems.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with individuals, agencies, and institutions.
• Ability to make decisions on cases independently and with professional judgment.
• Ability to prepare clear and concise reports and records and to communicate clear and pertinent information orally and in writing.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of annual self-defense, use of force and control tactics training and certification.
• Ability to meet the physical demands of annual certification in the use of non-lethal weapons.

Supplemental information

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably within the criminal justice or sociology field of study. One year experience in pretrial/bail supervision or other social work is desired but not mandatory.
• Successful completion of a one-year pretrial officer intern program.
• All pretrial officers undergo a six-month trial period followed by a six-month probationary period from the date of employment to develop and gain an understanding of policies and procedures and to develop competency and the judgment necessary to supervise defendants effectively.
• Attention: All new hires must qualify annually with a department issued firearm and ammunition on a designated course as instituted and approved by the Pennsylvania Firearms Education and Training Commission.