Personal Recognizance Screener - King County Jail [United States]

 

Position Description

Seattle Municipal Court’s (SMC) mission is to provide a forum for citizens to resolve alleged violations of the law in a respectful, independent, and impartial manner. The Court is dedicated to advancing social justice issues by supporting personal, structural, and systemic change in our community, and building a diverse workforce. The Court works collaboratively to realize the City’s vision of racial equity by participating in the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative. Candidates with the ability to effectively work with multicultural communities are encouraged to apply.

The Programs and Services Division seeks to resolve the underlying problems bringing a person to court through relationship building, outcome-based goals, and community restoration. Programs and Services is committed to lessening barriers and increasing equity in the criminal legal system.

Programs and Services is currently accepting applications from qualified candidates who are interested in working as a Personal Recognizance (PR) Screener performing duties related to personal recognizance and public defense screening of in and out-of-custody clients. This position reports directly to the Probation Manager and is exempt from Civil Service. The PR Screener serves at the discretion of the Presiding Judge.

$ads={1}

YOU WILL BE SUCCESSFUL IN THIS POSITION IF YOU:

• Have a commitment to the pursuit of equitable and just outcomes as the center of your professional practice with a clear compassion for others.
• Can remain calm, positive, and professional while working both independently and as a team member with defendants, attorneys, Judges, and staff in the King County Jail.
• Excel in using good communication skills with potentially hostile defendants in a fast-paced tense environment.
• Strive to meet strict deadlines with accuracy.
• Have an aptitude for learning new systems.

The person in this role will work 30 hours per week at the King County Jail during the grave shift (8:00 PM to 6:30 AM), the days of the week will be determined after onboarding.

Additionally, you will be prepared to take on this role if you have following experience, commitments, skills, and abilities:

Experience in:

• Working with a culturally, ethnically, and socio-economically diverse population who may require assistance dealing with substance abuse, domestic violence, sexual deviance, mental health, housing, employment, parenting, disabilities, and literacy issues.
• Making decisions and using discretionary judgment with limited supervision.
• Resolving crisis situations
• Advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion goals

A commitment to:

• A trauma-informed approach to working with and supporting clients involved in the criminal-legal system.
• Social justice along with fair and equitable treatment of all clients.
• Maintaining knowledge of legal procedures, terminology, and dockets with the ability to explain them to others in simple, clear, and understandable terms.
• Maintaining knowledge of local resources to make referrals.

Substantial skills in:

• Building respectful and collaborative relationships with people at all levels of an organization, both your own and those organizations in which you are partnered. This includes active listening and communicating with clients, attorneys, judges, and staff.
• Thinking critically, creatively, and strategically under the pressure of tight deadlines, challenging clients, and a potentially stressful work environment.

The ability to:

• Interview, counsel, coach, perform assessments, and provide professional assistance to both in-custody and out-of-custody clients and stakeholders.
• Learn and adapt to frequent changes in law, policy, work assignments, technology, processes, and procedures.
• Exercise discretion, maintain confidentiality, and interact tactfully with a diverse population of clients and stakeholders.
• Type 35 wpm and proficiently use emerging computer technology including Outlook, Microsoft software platforms/programs, department and court management software, and various external platforms necessary in the role.

Job Responsibilities

Responsibilities for this position include the following assignments based on staffing needs:

Jail Personal Recognizance Screening:

• Determine and grant personal recognizance release from jail according to established criteria.
• Assist clients by providing them information needed to meet their Court obligations.
• Escort clients upon release from King County Jail to Probation or Pre-Trial Services staff at the Seattle Justice Center when directed by the Court or supervisor.
• Ensure clients ineligible for personal recognizance release are scheduled to appear before the Court in accordance with Court and department policy.
• Complete all necessary assessments, reports, and communication required with court and jail staff for all clients screened for release.

Defense Screening:

• Interview and screen both in and out-of-custody clients accused of misdemeanor crimes to determine eligibility for assignment of public counsel.
• Complete promissory notes
• Ensure clients eligible for public counsel are appropriate referred to defense agency for assignment in accordance with department policy.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in criminology, Sociology, Social Work, Psychology, or related discipline that provides the necessary education and skills in dealing with complex legal and human issues.
• 1+ year experience in probation, counseling, or direct interviewing and case management of criminal-legal system involved clients (may be one year of paid or voluntary interviewing and counseling work experience; 174.3 volunteer hours shall equal one month of experience).
• Ability to work non-standard hours / shift work (grave shifts, day shifts, swing shifts).
• Must successfully complete the 80-hour Basic Adult Correctional Services Academy of the Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission within six months of employment as required by WAC 139-10-210.
• Valid Washington State Driver’s License.

Additional Information

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• LOCATION: King County Jail.
• SCHEDULE: This position will likely be assigned to the grave shift, work 30-40 hours per week, and include at least one weekend shift. The grave shift schedule is typically 8:00 PM to 6:30 AM, but may vary slightly depending on business needs. Change in schedule or requirement to cover/fill shifts outside of standard work schedule may be required as staffing needs arise.
• ENVIRONMENT: Frequently exposed to individuals who are distraught, hostile, or abusive

Why Work at the City

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in dismantling racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and create and provide equitable processes and services.

Benefits

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at: https://www.seattle.gov/human-resources/benefits/employees-and covered family-members/most employees-plans

Salary

• The full salary range for this position is $38.58 to $45.00 per hour.
• For candidates internal to the City, salary step placement will be based on promotion rules as outlined in the.

Hiring Process

Qualified candidates must submit the following to be considered.

• Completed NEOGOV online application.
• Supplemental questionnaire responses.
• Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
• Current resume indicating relevant experience and education.

Your application will not be reviewed if these items are missing or incomplete.

The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents.

$ads={2}

 

.