Pretrial Services Officer

Pretrial Services Officer

Summary / Main Purpose of Job: The Pretrial Services Officer is responsible for evaluating the suitability of defendants for various types of bail and for ensuring compliance with bail release conditions. This position is responsible for handling the posting of bail and revocation of bail for non-compliance. Criminal background check is required.

Essential Duties, Tasks and Accountabilities:

• Investigate and verify defendant's prior record, family background, employment, current living address.
• Provide supervision and adherence to bail release conditions.
• Supervise defendants during pre-trial and post-trial release periods.
• Notify defendants of court dates and ensure their appearance for court.
• Monitor assigned district court case load.
• Interact daily with the general public, law enforcement, members of the legal profession, and treatment providers.
• Investigate and, locate defendants who fail to comply with bail release conditions.
• Testify in court and produce court orders, memos and petitions when necessary.
• On call for district court arraignments, which includes after normal business hours and on weekends.
• On call for bail postings at Chester County Prison as needed. Serve as Electronic Home Monitor (EHM) back up.
• Serve as Specialty Court Pretrial Services Specialist back up.
• Serve as back up to other Officers who are unavailable.
• Serve as back up to positions as needed due to staffing issues.
• Serve as back up for interviewer verifier, when necessary.
• Complete and qualify for self-defense, as required/needed.
• Provide bail recommendations to District Justices and Common Pleas Judges, when requested.
• May be required to perform drug testing, as needed.
• Perform other duties, tasks and special projects, as required.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Basic understanding of Pennsylvania Criminal procedure and Court rules related to Bail.
• Completion of self-defense training.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong ability to assess needs and priorities.
• Ability to analyze complex issues.
• Ability to plan, organize and coordinate situations.
• Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Basic typing skills.
• Basic skills to use a personal computer and various software packages.
• A valid driver's license is required.
• Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience:
• Knowledge of court orders, bail bonds and bail procedures.
• Current working knowledge of Chester County Rules of Court.
• Current working knowledge of Criminal Bail Rules procedures.
• Strong project management skills.
• Excellent time management skills.
• Ability to maintain confidential information and handle confidential matters.
• Ability to make firm, unbiased decisions.
• Integrity and honesty.
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously.

Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy. Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have:

• Basic Word, Access and Excel skills
• Basic Outlook skills (Email and Calendar)
• Working knowledge and skill with the Court Management system
• Basic Internet skills