What are the responsibilities and job description for the Court Officer position at Alachua County Board of County Commissioners?
Salary : $53,435.20 Annually
Location : Gainesville, FL
Job Type : Full-Time
Job Number : FY25-15319
Department : Court Services
Division : Drug Court
Opening Date : 01 / 31 / 2025
Closing Date : 2 / 21 / 2025 11 : 59 PM Eastern
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, behavioral sciences, social work, counseling or related field and two years of related, professional experience; or any equivalent combination of related training and experience. Applicants within six months of meeting the minimum education / experience requirement may be considered for trainee status.
A Valid Florida Driver License is required and a Motor Vehicle Record that meets the requirements of Alachua County policy #6-7; Motor Vehicle Records will be reviewed prior to employment. If, in the past 24-month period, the applicants Motor Vehicle Record has more than three (3) moving traffic infractions or three (3) or more at fault motor vehicle accidents (or combination of both and / or a conviction / pending charge for driving under the influence) or is in violation of any standard mandated by Federal or State Law or Regulation, the minimum qualifications are not met for the position.
Must successfully obtain the FDLE Criminal Justice Information System (CJIS) Certification within one month of employment or assignment which requires access to the Florida Crime Information Center (FCIC) / National Crime Information Center (NCIC). Certification must be maintained as a condition of employment; re-certification required every two years. This is Level One certification. For Court Officers assigned within the Pretrial Services Division, must successfully obtain the National Association of Pretrial Services Agencies (NAPSA) Certified Pretrial Services Professional (CPSP) certification for release within one year of employment and maintain certification in accordance with NAPSA standards; recertification required every three years.
Successful completion of all applicable background checks pre-hire and ongoing are required.
Position Summary
This is a responsible, professional criminal justice position providing community supervision of pretrial defendants and sentenced offenders, and / or pretrial release investigations in the Alachua County Department of Court Services.
An employee assigned to this classification attends Court hearings and monitors Court proceedings in order to provide judicial support as a liaison between the department, the Court system, and other criminal justice and support agencies.
Work is performed under the general direction of a higher-level supervisor and is reviewed through conferences, reports, and observation of results obtained.
Examples of Duties
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION
This is an emergency essential classification. Upon declaration of a disaster and / or emergency, all employees in this classification are required to work.
Exudes a positive customer service focus.
Advocates building organizational culture through aligning decisions with Department mission and core values including : integrity, honesty, respect, diversity, innovation, accountability and communication.
Conducts screens and assessments for risk and need, including for special populations such as domestic violence; develops release and / or supervision plans to mitigate risk and address needs.
Supervises specialized pretrial and probation caseloads; and / or completes pretrial release investigations and develops release / detention, and case plan recommendations for the Court; refers to internal and external programs to meet client needs.
Represents the Department at Court proceedings including but not limited to first appearance hearings, treatment Court sessions, and violation hearings.
Conducts office and field visits, with clients, and conducts collateral contacts with family, community and agency partners to implement case plans and to verify and monitor client compliance their behavior for the Court.
Monitors client's compliance with all Court-ordered special conditions; determines ability to pay Court ordered financial obligations; works with clients and Court to develop payment options.
Prepares and maintains confidential records.
Prepares and submits written work with high attention to detail including but not limited to investigations, Court orders, modifications, violations, and revocations s necessary.
Uses computer software and information systems and ensures timely and accurate data entry of client and casework per Department procedures.
Collects / completes testing of urine samples for drug screening.
Provides assistance to staff as needed.
Completes training as directed and consistently delivers skills with proficiency and fidelity to the model.
Drives a County and / or personal vehicle to perform required duties.
Performs the duties listed, as well as those assigned, with professionalism and a sense of urgency.
Note : These examples are intended only as illustrations of the various kinds of work performed in positions allocated to this class. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from this position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Thorough knowledge of state and local laws, rules and regulations and professional standards regarding pretrial release and probation practices.
Thorough knowledge of the operation of the criminal justice system and process.
Knowledge of basic theory and current practices in the treatment of alcohol abuse, drug abuse, mental illness and domestic violence and psycho-sociological factors of crime.
Ability to effectively communicate with others, orally and in writing, and assess client physical, mental and legal status, and client risk / need.
Ability to independently investigate client history and present circumstances and formulate plans of social and economic rehabilitation specific to the individual's needs.
Ability to operate a motor vehicle and adhere to the County Motor Vehicle Operation Policy.
Ability to conduct investigations, evaluation findings, prepare reports and effectively present recommendations and release plans to the Court.
Ability to establish and maintain a good working relationships and obtain the cooperation of clients, their families and other members of the public and criminal justice community.
Ability to interpret and apply law, statute, policy and procedure, and make independent decisions within established deadlines.
Ability to plan and organize work effectively.
Ability to create and maintain timely, comprehensive and accurate client records within a computerized information management system.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS : The physical demands 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
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to walk; sit; and use hands to finger, handle or feel.
The employee must occasionally lift and / or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
WORK ENVIRONMENT : The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The noise level in the work environment usually ranges from moderate to loud.
May require an employee to be exposed to hazardous work situations and may require travel or subject to call at all hours.
Standard business hours are 8 : 30 am - 5 : 00 pm Monday through Friday, but schedules may be adjusted to meet the needs of the department and clients served.
An organization is only as good as the people it employs. To attract and retain the best team possible, the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners offers a competitive benefit program. We believe that if we expect our employees to support the County, we must first support the health and financial well-being of our employees and their families, now and as they plan for their future.BoCC-Contributed Benefits
- Medical / Health Insurance
- Employee Life Insurance
- Florida Retirement System
- Employee Assistance Program
Optional Benefits
NOTE : For detailed information regarding available benefits
You may also view regarding benefits.
Vacation Leave - Generous vacation accrual rates with payout of unused accrued leave, with some restrictions. For more detailed information regarding vacation leave refer to .
Sick leave is earned at a rate of 4 hours per pay period by all permanent, full-time employees
I understand that once my application has been submitted for this specific position that I will NOT be able to make any changes to it. Any changes to my master application will only be reflected in any future positions for which I may apply. Should I desire to have updated information included for this specific position I should contact the Human Resources office at (352) 374-5219 for assistance.
If an applicant meets all minimum qualifications as posted he / she is referred to the appropriate hiring manager. The following Supplemental Questions are specific to the position for which you have applied to assist the hiring manager in screening applications for the ones with the specific experience he / she is seeking.Please be specific in answering these questions as they will be used to evaluate which applications will be given further consideration in the process. I understand and will answer the following supplemental questions completely and thoroughly.
Do you have experience directly related to mental illness and co-occurring disorders? If yes, please describe any work experience directly related to mental illness and co-occurring disorders. If no - please indicate NONE.
Do you have experience directly related to working with Substance Abuse disorders? If yes, please describe any work experience directly related to Substance Abuse disorders. In none - please indicate - NONE.
Describe any work experience directly related to case management.
Do you have experience working as a Court Officer? If yes, please describe your experience.
Do you have experience appearing before the Court in a professional capacity with adult clients? If yes, please describe your experience / years. If no experience - please indicate NONE.
Do you possess a Valid State of Florida driver's license?
If you are a current Alachua County BOCC employee - I understand I must have been in my current position for at least six months to be considered for this position?
Please indicate your highest earned degree and the specific major or field (Ex : Bachelor's degree - Criminal Justice)
Required Question
Salary : $53,435
