Community Justice Counselor

Salary : $57,378.24 - $94,523.76 Annually

Location : City of Spokane, WA

Job Type : Full-Time

Job Number : 954-2025-C

Department : Varies

Opening Date : 01 / 27 / 2025

Closing Date : Continuous

CLASS SUMMARY

Guides misdemeanant defendants and probationers through the Spokane Municipal Court system.

EXAMPLES OF JOB FUNCTIONS

This description was prepared to indicate the kinds of activities and levels of work difficulty required of positions in this class. It is not intended as a complete list of specific duties and responsibilities.

• Conducts assessments and investigations of misdemeanant clients from pre-trial through post-sentence stages. Gathers and evaluates facts obtained through interviews and research for inclusion in client reports.
• Performs social investigations and interviews of clients, relatives, employers, members of social agencies and others.
• Interviews references and crime victims to gather and verify information related to release conditions at any stage of the court process.
• Researches and gathers information related to clients, including but not limited to employment history, educational background, previous arrest records, and family and community ties.
• Identifies client needs in areas such as behavioral health services, housing, and employment. Assesses availability and relevance of community and state resources. Develops individual case plans for implementation.
• Testifies and recommends in administrative and judicial hearings regarding resource and treatment options for defendants, community safety concerns, and incarceration decisions.
• Provides information to clients on court processes and procedures, conditions attached to pre-trial release or probation, and available community services.
• Coordinates the introduction of defendants to appropriate community services.
• Offers warrant prevention and resolution services to defenders to reduce missed court dates. Assists defendants who have failed to appear in navigating warrant recall procedures or self-surrender steps to the court.
• Completes electronic monitoring intake duties for individuals as ordered by the court, including but not limited to explaining responsibilities to defendants, obtaining signatures for agreements, testing for drug and alcohol, collecting data, and installing related equipment.
• Monitors and maintains records of placement and attendance for those ordered by the court to participate in treatment, community service, and other specialized programs such as electronic home monitoring and day reporting as an alternative to incarceration.
• Analyzes location and alcohol monitoring data and reports to judicial officers regarding defendant compliance with the terms and conditions of release.
• Maintains case records, prepares reports, and conducts correspondence related to assignments.
• Meets with federal, state, and local law enforcement, judicial officers, service agencies, educators, and other community justice partners.
• Performs related work as required.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Combinations of education and experience that are equivalent to the following minimum qualifications are acceptable.

Open-Entry Requirements :

Licenses and Certifications :

Background Investigation :

EXAMINATION DETAILS

All applicants must meet the minimum qualifications and pass the examination for this position to be eligible for hire.

Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply immediately. All applicants must complete and submit a City of Spokane employment application online by 4 : 00 p.m. on the filing cut-off date.

Upon request, at time of application, City of Spokane will provide alternative accessible tests to individuals with disabilities that impair manual, sensory or speaking skills needed to take the test, unless the test is intended to measure those skills.

The examination will consist of a Training and Experience Evaluation (T&E), with scoring weight assigned as follows :

T&E Examination Details The Training and Experience examination with instructions will be emailed out via a link from City of Spokane () upon review of the applicant's minimum qualifications.

Once you receive the link, the testing window is Thursday, 12 : 00 AM, to the following Monday at 11 : 59PM.

Additional examinations shall be administered as applications are received with results merged into one eligible list according to final ratings, pursuant to the Merit System Rules of the Civil Service Commission : Rule IV, Section 13 - Continuous Examinations.

BENEFIT COMPENSATION VALUE

In addition to a salary, The City of Spokane provides a generous benefits package valued between $24,902 - $34,218.

INSURANCE BENEFITS

Eligibility : Coverage begins for new hires and their dependents on the first day of the month following 30 consecutive days of employment.

Eligible Dependents : Spouse or Domestic Partner, birth, adopted children or children placed for adoption, Domestic Partner's children, step-children who live with employee, and any child for whom employee is legal guardian or for whom coverage is required by a Qualified Medical Support Order. Adult children under age 26 are eligible.

Medical

Qualified employees may select from two health carrier options; a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) administered by Kaiser Permanente or a Preferred Provider Option (PPO) administered by Premera Blue Cross. The monthly premium varies dependent upon plan and coverage level selected.

Vision

Vision coverage is included in the medical plan selected. Costs for eye exams and hardware; lenses, frames or contacts varies depending on the medical plan selected.

Dental

Dental insurance is provided by Delta Dental of Washington. The City pays the monthly premium in full for employee and eligible dependents.

Life Insurance - Employee Only

Basic Term Life Insurance is provided at one-and-a-half times the employee's annual base salary to a maximum of $150,000. The City pays the monthly premium in full.

Life Insurance - Eligible Dependent(s)

Basic Term Life Insurance is provided at $5,000 for spouse / domestic partner and $2,000 for each child. The City pays the monthly premium in full.

Flexible Spending Account

The City offers two optional Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) - Health Care FSA and Dependent Care FSA. The Health Care FSA allows an employee to use pre-tax dollars to receive reimbursement for eligible medical, dental, and vision expenses. The Dependent Care FSA allows an employee to receive reimbursement for eligible daycare expenses for dependent children up to age 13 and other eligible dependents as defined by IRS Code.

AFLAC

Supplemental insurance is optional and is provided by AFLAC to help pay benefits that major medical insurance does not cover. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium.

AudioNet Hearing Aid Benefit

AudioNet Hearing Aid Benefit is optional. The City of Spokane has partnered with AudioNet America to offer a discounted Hearing Aid Program with fixed out-of-pocket costs.

LegalShield / ID Shield

Prepaid legal services and / or prepaid identity theft programs are optional. These programs pay for a limited number of documents to be reviewed, limited trial defense representation, the preparation of a standard will, identity theft consultation, restoration and monitoring according to terms of contract.

Pet Insurance

Get cash back on the everyday care your pet needs to stay healthy! Nationwide / Voluntary Pet Insurance is an optional plan in which City of Spokane Employees can enroll.

Voluntary Term Life Insurance

Voluntary Term Life Insurance is optional and is provided through The Standard Insurance Company and is subject to application review and approval. Additional coverage up to $300,000 is available for employees and their spouse / domestic partner. Dependent children can be insured for up to $10,000 each. The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium.

Continued Medical / Dental Insurance

Employees separating from City service have the option to continue medical and / or dental insurance benefits in accordance with the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). The employee pays 100% of the monthly premium in addition to a small monthly administrative fee.

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Spokane Employees' Retirement System

The Spokane Employees' Retirement System (SERS) is a defined benefit pension plan covering non-uniformed, permanent employees. As a participant, you contribute 11% of your salary toward your retirement. Contributions and earnings are tax-deferred. The City also contributes 11% of your salary toward your retirement. Employees hired on or after January 1, 2015 become vested (eligible for a monthly benefit at retirement age) at seven years of service.

Deferred Compensation

Enrollment in the City-sponsored 457 Deferred Compensation Plan administered by MissionSquare Retirement allows participants, on a voluntary basis, to defer a portion of their salary on a before or after tax basis. Contributions and associated earnings contributed on a before tax basis are eligible to receive City matching contributions and are tax deferred (not taxed until taken out). You can also choose to participate in the 457 Roth (after tax) contribution option. You may enroll in the 457 plan or change your contribution at any time. Minimum contribution is $15 per paycheck up to and is subject to the IRS annual limitations. The City will match employee contributions up to $120 / month.

PAID TIME OFF

Official Holidays

The City observes seven official holidays as paid. An official holiday that falls on a Saturday will be observed on the preceding Friday. An official holiday that falls on a Sunday will be observed on the Monday immediately following. The City observes Martin Luther King Jr's birthday but has not declared that day as an official holiday. For this reason, employees hired before the third Monday of January receive an additional eight hours of floating holiday time to be used in accordance with Local 270 Collective Bargaining Agreement provisions.

Floating (Personal) Holidays

Up to 48 hours administered throughout the year. Floating holiday hours may not be carried over into the next year and any unused hours will not be paid at termination.

Vacation Leave

Employees must be in paid status for 80% of that pay period to accrue vacation leave. The amount of vacation earned depends on the employee's length of service - from 12 days per year for a new employee to 27 days per year after 20 years of employment. Unused vacation hours carry over each year.

Sick Leave

Sick leave accrues at a rate of six (6) hours per biweekly pay period. Employees must be in paid status for 80% of that pay period to accrue sick leave. There is no maximum accumulation and unused sick leave hours carry over each year.

Other Leaves

The City also provides several other paid and unpaid leaves, such as : bereavement leave, Family and Medical Leave, maternity leave, jury duty, and military duty leave.

WORK / LIFE PROGRAMS

Employee Assistance Program

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is a referral and counseling service administered by Deer Oaks. It provides a myriad of services to employees and their household members. Services include receiving confidential assistance for personal issues, such as managing stress, depression, parenting, alcohol / drugs, grief, etc. Each household member is eligible to receive up to eight counseling sessions per issue per year at no charge. There is also a benefit relating financial or legal concerns in addition to Worklife / Convenience services and online tools.

Employer Sponsored Bus Pass (ESBP) Program

The City of Spokane encourages employees to use alternatives to driving alone to work and participates in the ESBP Program offered by Spokane Transit Authority (STA). The program provides a bus pass for unlimited rides free of charge.

Revised March 15, 2022

You must have graduated from a four-year college or university with a degree in one of the following areas to qualify for this position. What was your major field of study? (Choose one)

If your degree is in a "Related Field" as asked question #1 above, please specify your major field of study and explain how it relates to this position.

Do you have at least one year of experience as a probation caseworker, detention / correction officer, law enforcement officer or a closely related position?NOTE : To be considered for this position, your experience must be reflected in the Work Experience section of your application.

You must provide your college transcripts or diploma in order to be considered for this position. Have you attached either a diploma or college transcripts to your application as proof of graduation?If your answer is "no", your application is incomplete and will not be considered.

Do you possess a valid driver's license or do you have equivalent mobility?

If you possess a driver's license, please enter the number in the field below.

Required Question

Salary : $57,378 - $94,524