Pretrial Officer​/Jail Evaluator; Probation Counselor

Overview

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, completion of the Virginia Pretrial Risk Assessment Instrument (VPRAI) with Praxis recommendation and the completion of the Virginia Court Appointed Counsel sheet. Collects data from arresting documents, Brief Jail Mental Health Screen (BJMHS), information gathered from personal interviews with defendants and completes reference checks by verifying the 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 on a 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 the magistrates at the jail or for the judiciary which may include monetary bond, third party custody, pretrial supervision, personal recognizance or any combination thereof. Identifies defendants who may need further assessment for mental health and contacts the Community Services Board (CSB) staff stationed at the jail to provide further assessment.

Forwards documentation to pretrial supervision staff from the initial interview of defendants who are 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.

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

(The illustrative duties listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list. A complete list of position duties and unique physical requirements can be found in the position description.)

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 (e.g., whether it is environmental, school, and/or social);

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;

Positions located 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;
Conduct intake assessments on new clients and make appropriate referrals.

(The knowledge, skills and abilities listed in this specification are representative of the class but are not an all-inclusive list.)

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…