Court Services Officer 1 (Criminal Division-Pretrial Services)

About the Role

The Hudson Vicinage is seeking individuals to join the Criminal Division - Pretrial Services Program. The selected candidates will perform duties that include researching criminal case histories, conducting pretrial risk assessments, preparing reports, meeting with defendants, and making recommendations to judges regarding conditions of pretrial release. This role involves regular interaction with pretrial defendants, judges, prosecutors, public defenders, county jails, law enforcement, the private bar, and the public.

Monitoring conditions of pretrial release is a key responsibility, done in person, by phone, and via video. Candidates will assist defendants in attaining goals to ensure court appearance and public safety, report non-compliance, and provide guidance on social, emotional, and rehabilitative needs. This may include referrals for social services, testing, treatment, or counseling, and monitoring treatment progress.

This position requires a non-traditional work week, including weekends, holidays, and after-hours on-call responsibilities. Regular and predictable physical presence at the worksite is essential.

Responsibilities

• Research criminal case histories and conduct pretrial risk assessments.
• Prepare reports and make recommendations to judges regarding pretrial release conditions.
• Staff first appearance/Central Judicial Processing hearings and pretrial detention hearings.
• Monitor conditions of pretrial release for defendants through in-person, phone, and video interactions.
• Assist defendants in meeting goals to ensure court appearance and public safety during pretrial release.
• Report defendant non-compliance with release conditions to the court.
• Provide guidance to clients with social, emotional, and rehabilitative needs.
• Make referrals for social services, testing, treatment, or counseling and monitor treatment progress.
• Work a non-traditional schedule, including weekends, holidays, and after-hours on-call responsibilities.
• Perform related duties as required.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and one year of paraprofessional experience in case management, including:
  • Conducting investigations, monitoring casework flow, or interviewing clients.
  • Preparing investigative fact-finding reports, case notes, or case-related correspondence.
• Substitution options:
  • Additional paraprofessional or professional experience may substitute for education on a year-for-year basis (one year of experience = 30 semester hour credits).
  • An associate degree with two years of additional paraprofessional or professional experience may substitute for a bachelor’s degree.
• Degrees conferred outside the U.S. must be evaluated by a recognized evaluation service (see NACES).
• Driver’s license valid in New Jersey (required only if operating a vehicle is necessary for essential duties).
• Authorization to work in the U.S. (U.S. citizenship is not required).
• Agreement to undergo a thorough background check, including fingerprinting.
• Newly hired employees must establish and maintain principal residency in New Jersey within one year (exemptions may be requested for hardship or employer critical need).

Pay

The salary range for this position is:

• Schedule A: $54,434.49 to $89,181.84
• Schedule B: $54,434.49 to $84,722.75

Newly hired individuals typically start at the minimum of the salary range. Current Judiciary employees receive a 5% base salary increase upon promotion or advancement, not to exceed the maximum of the range or the minimum salary of the band/level, whichever is greater.

Judiciary employees hired prior to June 3, 2014, are considered Schedule A. Newly hired individuals and employees hired on or after June 3, 2014, are considered Schedule B.

Schedule

The Judiciary offers a hybrid work schedule, and this position may qualify for up to 2 days of remote work outside of Judiciary buildings. Participation requires:

• Installation of a multifactor authentication app on your phone or tablet.
• High-speed home internet access.

This role requires a non-traditional work week, including weekends, holidays, and after-hours on-call responsibilities.