Pretrial Officer​/Jail Evaluator; Probation Counselor

Job Announcement

This position works within the Community Corrections Services Unit and is located in the Court Services office of the Adult Detention Center (ADC). This position interviews recently incarcerated individuals in determining their eligibility for bond and participation in pretrial services.

Duties include entering all demographic information into the Department of Criminal Justice Services Pretrial Services and Local Probation (PSLP) database, completing the Virginia Pretrial Risk Assessment Instrument (VPRAI) with Praxis recommendation, and completing the Virginia Court Appointed Counsel sheet. Responsibilities further encompass collecting data from arresting documents, Brief Jail Mental Health Screen (BJMHS), information gathered from personal interviews with defendants, and completing reference checks by verifying information with family, friends, employers, and coworkers.

Computer systems including Fairfax County local record systems, VCIN/NCIC, and DMV are used to obtain defendants’ criminal histories.

Reviews all data that reflect the defendant’s degree of risk of danger to themselves or the community, risk of fleeing the jurisdiction, or failing to appear in court. Provides recommendations to magistrates or judiciary regarding monetary bond, third party custody, pretrial supervision, personal recognizance, or combinations thereof. Identifies defendants who may need further mental health assessment and contacts the Community Services Board (CSB) staff to provide further assessment.

Forwards documentation to pretrial supervision staff for defendants automatically placed on Pretrial Supervision in accordance with Diversion First requirements. All casework services and records are maintained in accordance with local and state mandated policy.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Incidentally, the incumbent must maintain active National Crime Information Center (NCIC)/Virginia Criminal Information Network (VCIN) certification and pass recertification every two years.

• Formulates treatment or rehabilitation plans and presents written or oral recommendations for adjustment of behavior.
• Facilitates placement, supervises and monitors community service requirements, schedules payments, collects court costs and restitution, monitors urine tests.
• Supervises child visitations and exchanges involving estranged parents according to court orders or other relevant agreements.
• Conducts intake interviews and supervises offenders/defendants through office and home visits to verify compliance with court orders.
• Interviews juvenile or adult offenders, their families and related persons to determine the nature of the adjustment difficulty.
• Conducts field investigations.
• Refers offenders/defendants to other agencies or facilities as needed and maintains liaison with service providers to coordinate evaluations.
• Testifies in court and provides required written reports on adjustment and compliance to courts.
• Assesses short term goals, counsels offenders and provides opportunities for positive change.
• Provides crisis intervention services.
• Documents and composes case records, petitions and correspondence and periodically compiles related statistics.
• Aids clients in obtaining employment.
• Cooperates with representatives from State and local social service and law enforcement agencies in cases of mutual interest.
• Positional responsibilities in a residential facility supervise and direct house routines and therapeutic programs.
• Ensures that residents maintain behavioral norms.
• Maintains communication with a resident’s probation counselor, school representative, employer, family, and significant others.
• Coordinates and implements a residential program area (e.g., recreational, educational, or employment activities).
• Coordinates and transports detainees between the courts, the residential detention facility or other various facilities.
• Provides course instruction using Commission on Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program (VASAP) education curriculum, conducts intake assessments on new clients, and makes appropriate referrals.

• Knowledge of the principles of psychology and sociology.
• Knowledge of current social and economic conditions.
• Ability to use technology to enter and retrieve information.
• Ability to interpret laws, rules, and regulations related to probation work.
• Ability to interview and counsel clients.
• Ability to prepare complete case records and reports.
• Ability to develop effective working relationships with a variety of individuals.

Any combination of education, experience, and training equivalent to the following: graduation from an accredited four‑year college or university with a degree in social/behavioral sciences, law enforcement, or education.

National Crime Information Center/Virginia Crime Information Network (NCIC/VCIN) certification within six months of appointment and…