Alternative Sentencing Planner -Victim​/Witness Investigator III

Overview

The San Francisco District Attorney's Office (SFDA) is one of the premier law enforcement organizations in the United States. Our mission is to collaborate with the City’s diverse communities and law enforcement agencies to make San Francisco one of the safest cities in America. Our office engages in public education and crime prevention efforts while maintaining the traditional role of investigating, charging, and prosecuting all criminal violations occurring within the City and County of San Francisco.

The unparalleled opportunities for challenging, meaningful, and sophisticated work have consistently drawn top candidates to our office over the years. The mission of the SFDA is to promote public safety. District Attorney Brooke Jenkins believes responsible reform does not have to come at the expense of public safety and public safety does not have to come at the expense of reform.

The SFDA’s Office is committed to balancing both in the promotion of justice and safety for all.

About the program: AB109 California Public Safety Realignment – The Alternative Sentencing Planning Program was created in 2011 in response to the passage of AB109 (California Public Safety Realignment). AB109 allowed for sentences to be served locally, instead of in state facilities. The program seeks to improve public safety outcomes by developing sentences that are uniquely tailored to the defendant and the case, with the goal of reducing recidivism rates while securing justice for victims of crime.

About the position: The SFDA seeks to hire an Alternative Sentencing Planner (ASP) collaborating with prosecutors to address risk factors, taking public safety into account, and developing proposed alternative sentencing plans that reduce recidivism. This position has a key role in applying evidence-based programs to address criminogenic needs and knowledge of programs and services available in San Francisco to support the connection of justice-involved individuals to community-based services.

Responsibilities include reviewing and evaluating historical records and reports, conducting in-depth interviews with the defendant and their attorney to determine if the alternatives to incarceration are appropriate for the defendant, and providing a written report with detailed recommendations including length and type of supervision/incarceration, education, vocational training, and/or rehabilitation and behavioral adjustment programs. The prosecutors decide whether to incorporate the ASP recommendations into their final disposition.

Addressing underlying factors/issues that can contribute to justice involvement (i.e., education, vocational, trauma, etc.) can provide hope for successfully reintegrating individuals back into the community.

• Under direction the Alternative Sentencing Planner will have essential duties that include but are not limited to:
• Developing and recommending potential release and sentencing options to prosecutors, including:
• Meeting with case-carrying prosecutor to discuss cases and potential outcomes for defendants;
• Reviewing Adult Probation Department’s COMPAS information and social histories made available through the defense bar to determine offenders’ eligibility for various alternative sentences;
• Conducting defendant interviews where appropriate; and
• Working with the SFDA Victim Services Division to incorporate victim input in sentencing plan recommendations.
• Using a web-based assessment program to analyze static and dynamic risk and resiliency factors for defendants.
• Serving as a liaison with and building relationships with community-based programs and understand their expertise and effectiveness.
• Maintaining resource bank on local programs for prosecutors.
• Maintaining up-to-date knowledge of best practices in recidivism reduction, and supporting the implementation of evidence-based practices in the SFDA.
• Conducting office training on best practices in recidivism reduction and effective San Francisco programs and services.
• Serving as a liaison with the Adult Probation Department and other criminal justice, City, and community agencies to support the expanded use of effective…