Pretrial Service Program Specialist

Kitsap County is seeking a dedicated and highly skilled Pretrial Services Program Specialist to serve in a critical role supporting the justice system and advancing equitable pretrial outcomes. This position plays a vital part in ensuring defendants receive fair access to legal counsel, appropriate bail consideration, and meaningful connections to community resources—all while safeguarding public trust and court integrity.

This is a unique opportunity to build a career at the intersection of criminal justice, human services, and community impact
. Working within the Human Services Department, you will directly influence judicial decision‑making through data‑driven analysis, in‑custody interviews, and professional court reporting. Your work will help remove barriers to pretrial success, reduce unnecessary detention, and promote fairness across the system.

If you are motivated by public service, thrive in complex environments, and are ready to grow your expertise in a technically challenging and high‑impact program, this role offers the perfect blend of professional advancement, autonomy, and meaningful community impact
.

• Conduct comprehensive indigency screenings for defendants held in the county correctional facility, including pre‑arraignment interviews for in‑custody and out‑of‑custody felony cases.
• Gather, verify, and analyze financial, criminal, and personal data from detainees and multiple external sources to support bail determinations and appointment of legal counsel.
• Prepare detailed bail studies and written analytical reports for Judges prior to arraignment, addressing criminal history, housing stability, employment status, and other relevant factors.
• Screen and verify eligibility for court‑appointed legal counsel
  , applying State of Washington indigence guidelines and collecting financial documentation to assess ability to pay.
• Track and analyze program data related to financial need determinations and public defense assignments to support program accountability and improvement.
• Support furlough request screening
  , including documentation review, sponsor verification, and validation of time frames and locations.
• Provide referrals to community‑based social service resources to address barriers impacting pretrial success.
• Coordinate and maintain court date reminder services for pretrial program participants to improve compliance and court appearance rates.
• Serve as a program representative and technical resource
  , maintaining extensive contact with defendants, courts, and outside agencies.
• Ensure confidentiality, policy compliance, and accurate recordkeeping across all assigned activities.
• Perform other duties as assigned and comply with all County policies and standards.

• Associate’s Degree in a Business, Social Work, Criminal Justice or a closely related field AND two years of related support experience in law enforcement, courts, corrections, social work, or a related judicial field. Relevant work experience demonstrating required knowledge, skills, and abilities may substitute for educational requirements. Work experience is essential and cannot be replaced by additional education.

• Strong knowledge of pretrial services principles and procedures.
• High‑level understanding of County, State, and Federal laws and regulations relevant to criminal justice and indigency determination.
• Proficiency with databases, case management systems, spreadsheets, document imaging, and web‑based applications.
• Skill in research methods, data analysis, and report preparation to support judicial decision‑making.

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally, including court testimony and formal reporting.
• Advanced interviewing, problem‑solving, and public interaction skills, using tact, courtesy, and sound judgment.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with defendants, judges, attorneys, law enforcement, community partners, and internal teams.

• Experience providing program education or guidance to the…