Detention Officer/Court Liaison

Job Description

The Detention Liaison Officer performs administrative and coordinative work in facilitating the disposition of the charges against County Detention Center inmates within the court system An employee in this class is responsible for monitoring the progress and timeliness that it takes for County inmates to be processed within the court system. The employee works with the inmates lawyers clerk of court and other judicial personnel to rapidly facilitate the resolution of various cases in order to reduce the inmate population and assures that inmates receive release according to rules and regulations. The employee must be knowledgeable of all inmates the particular circumstances surrounding their crime the court appointed attorney for each of these cases and the rules and regulations surrounding release requirements. Work requires the employee to be knowledgeable of the general disposition of such cases within the court system and to possess skills of persuasion and negotiation skill to expedite certain cases. The position requires considerable public contact and independence and judgment in making decisions regarding inmates and their custody. Patience and firmness are required in dealing with inmates and attorneys. Work is performed under the direct supervision of the Assistant Detention Center Administrator and is evaluated through observation program effectiveness and various reports.

Key Responsibilities and Related Competencies:

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

• Monitors the court schedule and disposition of inmates through the judicial system; reconciles various lists to determine status of certain cases; monitors court proceedings to ensure proper processing and avocations of County inmates.
• Meets with judicial personnel such as the members of the District Attorney’s office; lawyers; judges; clerk of court; etc. to advocate the disposition of inmate cases.
• Negotiates with judicial personnel and inmates to expedite cases through the court system to reduce the burden on the detention services of the County; as well as to ensure the inmates do not further jeopardize their standing in the courtroom.
• Reviews detention facilities files and working with County Detention Center personnel on inmate matters pertaining to court; sentencing; and disposition.
• Prepares reports to determine the efficiency of work endeavors; as well as the disposition of inmates through the correctional facility and the judicial system.
• Serves as a Detention Officer as needed; accompanies inmates to court.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Experience:

Requires an Associate’s Degree in criminal justice or related field and two (2) years of related experience in the judicial system; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Licenses or Certifications:

• Possession of a valid North Carolina driver’s license.
• Possession of North Carolina Detention Center Officer Certification.
• Must meet the minimum standards set by the State of North Carolina for detention facility personnel.

Special Requirements:

None.

Knowledge; Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of local government operations; policies and plans; and modern office practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word; Excel; PowerPoint; and other similar programs.
• Knowledge of the judicial system and the functions of various offices as related to the judicial process.
• Knowledge of federal; State; and local laws pertaining to inmate sentencing pretrial conditions; and release.
• Knowledge of court proceedings and the general trends associated with sentencing.
• Skill in prioritizing and organizing work.
• Skill in verbal and written communication.
• Ability to communicate in an effective and efficient manner.
• Ability to negotiate and provide advocacy skills for the inmate population.
• Ability to develop a collaborative relationship with inmates; law enforcement officers; and the judicial system.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to deal tactfully and firmly with inmates and the public.
• Ability to meet and deal with employees and the public in an effective and courteous manner.
• Ability to get along with others; and work effectively with the public and co-workers.
• Ability to work flexible hours; including shift work.
• Ability to multi-task and work within deadlines.
• Ability to deal with confidential and sensitive matters.
• Ability to use computers for data entry; word processing; and accounting purposes.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The work requires exerting up to 100 pounds of force on occasion to as little as 20 pounds of force constantly to move objects; including the human body. Tasks may require the following abilities: stooping; kneeling; crouching; reaching; standing; walking; pushing; lifting; grasping; fingering; talking; and hearing. Requires mental acuity including the ability to make rational decisions through sound logic and deductive processes; the ability to express ideas by means of the spoken word and have close visual acuity to prepare and analyze figures; perform extensive reading; and perform visual inspections.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work is performed in a secure work environment. The employee is subject to hazards associated with law related work including working in inside environments; exposure to various hazards such as noise; and a variety of physical conditions and be required to work in close quarters with inmates.