COURT SERVICES OFFICER

Summary

The Court Services Officer position supports the goals and mission of the Board of County Commissioners. Responsibilities include implementing and tracking youth offenders and adult defendants who have been ordered by a court to complete community service hours, mental health and/or chemical dependency evaluations, and anger management counseling.

Requirements

• The knowledge, skills, and abilities required for this position are acquired through a combination of education and experience equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in a social science or related field and one (1) year of experience working with troubled youths or other job-related work experience.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Supports the goals and mission of the Board of County Commissioners;
• Performs administrative activities related to the implementation and tracking of court-ordered community service obligations and/or assessments and counseling related to mental health, chemical dependency, and anger management;
• Manages the court services office to provide court-ordered participants with program information and documentation;
• Enrolls offenders/participants in the required programs; Provides and explains documentation;
• Maintains documentation to track participant program compliance;
• Develops and updates a master list of community service worksite opportunities;
• Collaborates with involved entities, including courts and court personnel and community stakeholders;
• Processes all compliance documentation delivered by offenders/participants and community partners;
• Maintains and updates calendars;
• Processes payments as needed;
• Verifies defendants’ timesheets;
• Compiles program reports;
• Drafts and finalizes program documents;
• Composes any necessary communication and correspondence;
• Coordinates with counseling service providers;
• Provides communication and customer service for court services program;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of community service practices;
• Federal, state, and local laws pertaining to misdemeanors;
• Procedures, policies, and rules of Helena Municipal Court, Justice Court, Youth Court, District Court, Treatment Court, Juvenile Probation, and Adult Probation;
• Montana Youth Court Act and related laws;
• Principles and practices of mental health counseling;
• County and department policies;
• Crisis intervention techniques;
• Adolescent development and behavior;
• Program documentation requirements;
• Intergovernmental relations, including forming working relationships with community partners such as other government agencies and non-profits;
• Legal principles and practices;
• Ethics of law processes;
• Administrative and clerical procedures;
• Record management procedures;
• Structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Examples of Skills and Abilities

• Effective verbal and written communication;
• Effective interaction with youth and adult offenders;
• Development and monitoring of community service and mental health treatment plans;
• Staying informed of new developments in laws and trends affecting community service and mental health orders;
• Understanding of legal terminology;
• Maintaining files and records according to prescribed methods;
• Maintaining confidentiality of individuals and matters;
• Using common office machines, including computers and software programs;
• Understanding and following oral and/or written policies, procedures, and instructions;
• Providing high-quality customer service to County employees, Elected Officials, and members of the public;
• Establishing effective working relationships with fellow employees, representatives of other departments/agencies, and citizens.

Special Requirements

• Position is subject to a criminal background check prior to hire and thereafter to assure ongoing ability to access Confidential Justice Information Network (CJIN) as prescribed by CJIN/NCIC policies.
• Local and area travel during the business day is occasionally required.

Physical Demands

• Duties are generally performed in an office environment where hazards and discomforts are controlled and modifiable.
• This position requires the ability to stand, bend at the waist, kneel, reach over the head, talk, hear, and see.
• Must be able to move or lift documents and materials weighing up to 30 pounds.

Benefits

• Health Coverage – 2 Types of Health Plans which includes medical, dental, vision, and pharmacy coverage;
• Traditional Plan - cost for employee only is $50 per month and with the Wellness incentive, the cost may be reduced to $0 per month for full-time employees;
• High Deductible Health Plan – cost for employee is $0 per month and an additional $1200 per year to a Health Savings Account for full time employees;
• PureView Health Center – preferred clinic provider and no cost to the employee and his/her dependents;
• Retail retirement plans;
• Paid Vacation and Sick Leave and Holidays;
• Employees are provided with $25,000.00 of Life Insurance and $25,000.00 of AD&D insurance as a new employee;
• Wellness Screening Incentive;
• Gym Membership Reimbursement;
• Voluntary Supplemental Life Insurance;
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Employment with the County may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF.