What are the responsibilities and job description for the Release Assistance Officer position at Judicial Department?
Initial Posting Date:
04/10/2025
Application Deadline:
04/21/2025
Agency:
Judicial Department
Salary Range:
$5,126 - $7,953
Position Type:
Employee
Position Title:
Release Assistance Officer
Job Description:
Interviews: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, it may take several weeks after the job posting deadline for us to schedule interviews. We will do our best to keep you informed of the status of the process.
Who We Are
Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) serves the public, and the people we serve may be facing challenging life circumstances, high levels of stress, or confusion about their next steps. The work you will do in this role affects members of our community who come to the court to have their cases resolved. We need people who want to impact their communities, value OJD’s efforts to remove barriers to access justice services, and welcome interacting with the public.
We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We consider relevant work, lived experience, and education, plus any transferable skills and abilities that may meet our qualifications or the skills and attributes we need for this position. We welcome all candidates who are inspired by
our work and mission
.
Benefits To You
- We pay 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums for full-time employees, including mental health coverage. The State of Oregon provides a generous benefits package, which includes family health, dental, and vision insurance, optional short- and long-term disability, term life insurance, a deferred compensation savings program, and flexible spending accounts for health care, transportation, and dependent care expenses—all of which can be tailored to individual needs. Click on the link at the end of this announcement for additional information.
- The salary range, identified in the job announcement, is for a new hire who is not yet a member of the Public Employees Retirement System (PERS). After becoming a member of PERS (usually after six full calendar months of employment), the required 6% employee retirement contribution will be deducted from your pay, and your salary will be increased by 6.95% to help offset that and other cost increases (such as Medicare, Social Security, state taxes, and federal taxes). For new hires who are already active PERS members, the 6% salary deduction and 6.95% salary increase will be effective immediately upon hire.
- In this job profile, we offer candidates new to OJD up to the second step of the salary range, depending on experience. You are potentially eligible for a 5% annual increase.
- 10 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, 3 personal business days, separate sick and vacation paid leaves (prorated for part-time employees), and other employee benefits such as optional insurances and flexible spending plans.
- OJD will pay you a 5% allowance for bilingual skills (includes ASL) if you can pass a skills test and are assigned to use those skills on the job.
Position Highlights
The
Marion County Circuit Court
in Salem, Oregon, is hiring a Release Assistance Officer to join our team at the Criminal Court Annex (4000 Aumsville Highway SE | Salem, Oregon 97317).
In this role, you will determine pretrial release options for individuals in custody by conducting interviews, researching case information, and gathering victim input. You will also determine who, upon release, is most likely to appear in court, is not likely to commit new offenses, and does not pose a threat to the community or themselves. You will use case management systems to research and complete risk assessments, and you will monitor individuals’ compliance with the conditions of their release.
As a resource to the judge in criminal hearings, arraignments, release hearings, and pretrial conferences, you will attend court to testify in support of release recommendations, plans, and agreements. Release Assistance Officers routinely interact with judges, law enforcement agencies, court staff, defense attorneys, parole and probation officers, sheriff’s office staff, public service agencies, and the public; they also represent the Pretrial Services Office at release hearings.
Additionally, you will perform moderate-to-complex administrative and computer work related to pretrial release, including preparing new files, reviewing court orders, and responding to questions from judges, court staff, and the public about pretrial release and court appointed counsel.
Assigned tasks may be changed to accommodate workload and organizational needs.
Instructions for REQUIRED Cover Letter and Work History/Resume
Your cover letter and work history/resume should demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications, the Special Qualifications, and the Requested Skills and Attributes, which are listed below.
Cover Letter (REQUIRED)
- Attach your cover letter (not to exceed two pages) in the Resume/Cover Letter section of the application. Your cover letter and filename should include your name.
- In the body of your cover letter, please include responses to all Requested Skills and Attributes listed below.
- Address the cover letter “To the Hiring Manager.”
- Do not use a generic cover letter; please personalize your cover letter for this position. We read every letter.
- Prepare your cover letter before starting your Workday application.
Work History/Resume (REQUIRED)
- Attach your updated resume in the Resume/Cover Letter section of the application. Your resume and filename should include your name.
OR
- Complete the Job History/Work Experience portion of your Workday profile if you are not using an updated resume.
Failure to follow these instructions may result in rejection of your application. All application materials will be evaluated for consistency of information, and your letter will be evaluated for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and language use in addition to demonstrated experience.
The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on the date listed above.
Minimum Qualifications
(These must be evident in your work history or resume.)
The qualified candidate must possess a bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, behavioral or social/human services, or a closely related field.
OR
Four (4) years’ experience in criminal justice or a court environment.
OR
Any combination of
education and experience
equivalent to four (4) years of experience that typically supports the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.
Special Qualifications
(These must be verifiable.)
The qualified candidate must have Law Enforcement Data Systems (LEDS) certification or have the ability to obtain certification within six (6) months of hire. Eligibility requirements for obtaining LEDS certification are available
here
.
Requested Skills and Attributes
(These must be addressed in your cover letter.)
- Experience conducting interviews to obtain personal or financial information.
- Experience communicating calmly and effectively, orally and in writing, with people in emotionally charged and stressful situations.
- Experience communicating decisions regarding the approval or denial of benefits or services and the explanation of laws, rules, or regulations.
- Experience using a computer to access and input information and complete work.
- Experience working in a court, criminal justice, corrections, or other legal environment.
Working Conditions
- This full-time position has a schedule that includes evening and night hours, as well as weekends. This position is eligible for overtime compensation for hours worked in excess of 40 hours per workweek.
- Work is performed inside the secure perimeter of the Marion County Adult Corrections Facility and occasionally at the Marion County Circuit Court. The person in this position will have contact with individuals charged with violent and/or sexual offenses and should be able to tolerate the stress associated with interacting with people who are hostile or abusive.
- Occasional local and overnight travel may be required for training and meetings.
- Frequent phone and in-person contact with people from diverse backgrounds.
- Frequent phone and in-person contact with people who may be facing challenging life circumstances, highly stressful situations, or trauma.
- The person in this position works within a team (with direct supervision) and alone (without direct supervision).
- Long periods of sitting or standing to process the high volume of work; frequent bending or reaching below knee level or above shoulder level is also expected.
- The following equipment may be used: audio/video equipment, telephone, OJD-assigned computer with multiple monitors, photocopier, fax machine, and scanner.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Finalists for this position will be subject to an extensive background investigation. The successful candidate must meet all applicable background and criminal history checks and be of good moral character. Moral character is defined as possessing the attributes of empathy, courage, fortitude, honesty, loyalty, and additional virtues deemed to be morally good.
Finalists for this position will be subject to an extensive background investigation. The successful candidate must meet all applicable background and criminal history checks and be of good moral character. Moral character is defined as possessing the attributes of empathy, courage, fortitude, honesty, loyalty, and additional virtues deemed to be morally good.
Adverse results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may result in disqualification if the circumstances are directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position.
Reference Checks
By submitting your application to OJD, you consent to reference checks about your qualifications, your workplace performance, and your work product.
United States Employment Eligibility
OJD does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s
United States Employment Eligibility
OJD does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s
I-9 form
confirming authorization to work in the United States. OJD will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.
Future Vacancies
Apply now if you are interested in this or future vacancies. This job announcement may be used to fill future vacancies in this class of work.
Veterans’ Preference
Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given preference in the recruitment process. To receive preference, veterans must attach the appropriate documentation after they receive an email in their Workday inbox requesting the information to verify eligibility. The action item, asking veterans to attach their documentation, will arrive after they have submitted their initial application materials. Visit the Oregon job opportunities
Conduct Expectations
Because of OJD's role in providing justice and upholding the rule of law, employees of the department are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job, and also to maintain those same high standards when taking actions in their personal lives that could reflect on the department. As an employee, you will be expected to preserve the confidentiality of information received in the course of OJD employment.
Pay Equity
As an employer, OJD complies with Oregon’s pay equity law. In this job profile, we offer candidates new to OJD up to the second step of the salary range, depending on experience. For more information on pay equity,
Employee Benefits
Apply now if you are interested in this or future vacancies. This job announcement may be used to fill future vacancies in this class of work.
Veterans’ Preference
Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given preference in the recruitment process. To receive preference, veterans must attach the appropriate documentation after they receive an email in their Workday inbox requesting the information to verify eligibility. The action item, asking veterans to attach their documentation, will arrive after they have submitted their initial application materials. Visit the Oregon job opportunities
Veterans web page
for additional details, information, and resources.Conduct Expectations
Because of OJD's role in providing justice and upholding the rule of law, employees of the department are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job, and also to maintain those same high standards when taking actions in their personal lives that could reflect on the department. As an employee, you will be expected to preserve the confidentiality of information received in the course of OJD employment.
Pay Equity
As an employer, OJD complies with Oregon’s pay equity law. In this job profile, we offer candidates new to OJD up to the second step of the salary range, depending on experience. For more information on pay equity,
click here
.Employee Benefits
Click here
to access information specific to OJD employee benefits.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
OJD is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. To learn more about this program, and how to qualify, please
click here
.
Questions and Support
- If you require an alternate format to complete the application process, call 503-986-5930, or TTY: Oregon Relay Service 711 for the hearing impaired. Be prepared to describe the alternate format needed.
- Workday related information and resources are availablehere.
- For questions about a specific OJD job posting, call 503-986-5930 or emailojd.hrsd@ojd.state.or.us.
The Oregon Judicial Department embraces equal opportunity and affirmative action. We are committed to building a diverse team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.
