This Officer position is located in the Judge Guenther Memorial Center in the Office of Court Services. This primary purpose of this Officer position will include the performance of duties as a Pretrial Services Officer as defined in statue and perform or assist with other programs with the Office of Court Services. The Pretrial Services Officer is required to work non-traditional hours to include but not limited to early mornings, evenings, and weekends. This Officer position will be responsible for carrying an emergency or after hours on-call phone on a rotating basis. This Officer position reports to the Misdemeanor Probation/Pretrial Services Supervisor, other supervisors within the office or the Director of Court Services and the judges presiding over the referral court.
OFFICER DUTIES
 

• Counsels, investigates, interviews defendants and supervises defendants within the authority established by the court.
• Investigates background and criminal history of defendants.
• Independently supervises and manages individual caseload.
• Composes and compiles reports, to include pretrial reports affidavits and reports of violations.
• The Officer must be able to respond to crisis situations where immediate actions without direction from immediate supervisor may lead to life saving circumstances.
• Must understand and be able to employ statutory guidelines, case law and evidenced based practices to deescalate situations, authorize or affecting the arrest and detention of defendants, without violating a defendants civil rights. These decision must be based on education, training and experience and they may not allow the Officer to seek advice at the moment action is required.
• Complete an in-person screening at the Detention Center to determine defendant’s risk level and make recommendations to the Courts regarding reporting conditions and supervision level for reporting requirements.
• Queries computerized criminal history databases to include but not limited to CJIN/NCIC, Zuercher and Full Court.
• Attends/testifies in court and before administrative bodies on a daily basis.
• Performs drug and alcohol testing on defendants and other Court Services clients.
• Maintains case files: creates and updates files in Court Services program databases.
• Schedules court appearances for in-custody defendants.
• Performs bookkeeping procedures: involving money collection, documenting payments, creating receipts, etc.
• Complete non-compliance reports when violations occur on pretrial or post-sentence defendants ordered to Court Services.
• Performs installation, monitoring and maintenance on all electronic monitoring equipment to include set-ups, supervision, inventory and payment for equipment.
• Assigned to the on-call phone rotation. Investigates and follow up with reports made by Law Enforcement. May require returning to work at any time on days off or non-traditional work hours to address violations.
• Assists walk-in’s and the public with needs or direct to appropriate staff.
• Officers, may be directed to perform other duties in absence of staff to include Misdemeanor Probation Officer duties, drug and alcohol testing, or other duties as required.

This position requires basic knowledge of the court system, statutory authority of Pretrial Service and Misdemeanor Probation Officers, 46-9-505 (3) MCA, and 46-23-1005, MCA and caseload, supervision and interviewing techniques of defendants. Knowledge of community referral resources would be beneficial. Duties for this position include motivational interviewing, counseling techniques, jail interviews and supervisions to include alcohol and GPS monitoring of pretrial and post sentence defendants. Pretrial Officers must have knowledge of the criminal justice system at the local and state level including laws, regulations, and the court systems. The Officer position requires the ability to maintain positive working relationships with defendants, colleagues in the criminal justice system and the general public; ability to make excellent judgments; have an in-depth knowledge of mental health issues and addictions; excellent communication skills are a must; position must have the knowledge and ability to handle sensitive and confidential information; maintain accurate records both for defendant caseload and financial accounts; and the ability to operate basic office machines (phones, fax, copier, etc.).The knowledge, skills, and abilities are required through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree and some formal training in behavioral sciences or related work experience as defined in statute, Montana Code Annotated, Section 46-23-1003. The person selected for the position must be eligible to attend and successfully complete the designated Public Safety Officers Standards and Training (POST) course of instruction at the Montana Law Enforcement Academy that includes firearms training.

Licenses and Certifications: Applicants for this position must possess a valid driver’s license, provide own transportation to conduct out of office job duties (mileage reimbursement provided under the County policy), and to be insurable under the County’s liability policies.As a condition of hire, the final candidate will be required to successfully pass a criminal history check and background investigation. 
 
To apply for this position be prepared to attach the following documents listed below:

•  Cover Letter
• Resume
• Three (3) work references

 

Gallatin County does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.