Spokane County
Pretrial Service Officer (OPEN & PROMOTIONAL)
Spokane County, Spokane, Washington, United States, 99254
Pretrial Service Officer (OPEN & PROMOTIONAL)
Position works 37.5 hours per week. The schedule is Sunday‑Thursday, with Friday and Saturday off.
Under the general direction of the Pretrial Services Manager, the officer performs investigative and pre‑trial case management work related to the direct delivery of adult Pretrial Services, including developing case histories, determining public defender eligibility, enforcing court‑ordered supervision, and implementing strategies to mitigate a defendant’s level of risk.
Responsibilities
Interview non‑classified felony and misdemeanor defendants in the County jail for purposes of preparing a first‑appearance evaluation for the Superior and District Courts.
Pose detailed questions to a defendant regarding residency, community ties, employment, mental health, and substance‑abuse history.
Confirm or refute information provided by contacting personal references.
Conduct collateral contacts with employers, schools, and/or social service agencies to enhance/verify information.
Investigate and compile criminal history accessing records from multiple agencies.
Prepare and present recommendations in District and Superior Courts pursuant to Court Rule 3.2 regarding the defendant’s eligibility for bond or release on own recognizance.
Monitor defendant’s progression through the criminal pre‑trial process, providing updated evaluations to the Court and addressing any concerns that may impact bond setting or release status.
Enforce Court‑ordered supervision for both the Monitored Release and Felony Diversion programs.
Maintain personal contact with defendants.
Address substance‑abuse, mental‑health and other areas of need by processing referrals; identify and investigate violations of supervision conditions; implement appropriate alternatives and sanctions as authorized.
Report violations to the Court and attend Court hearings to provide information and keep abreast of case status and requirements.
Prepare additional court reports and recommendations based on further research and evaluation using a myriad of resources as requested.
Conduct a financial interview and evaluate defendants in jail, at Geiger, and out of custody to determine qualifications for public defense services pursuant to Court Rule 3.1.
Notify the Superior and District Court of assigned or private counsel.
Respond to requests regarding a defendant’s legal representation or eligibility for special programs.
Perform other related duties as required/assigned.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, social work, criminal justice, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
One (1) year of experience working in an investigative, social service, criminal justice, court, or custody setting.
Successfully pass a criminal background check.
Knowledge of the criminal justice system as it relates to adult offenders, investigative pre‑trial practices and procedures, and community resources.
Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations.
Knowledge of individual behaviors that would impact a defendant’s likelihood of success on pre‑trial release.
Knowledge of interviewing and report writing techniques.
Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with public and private officials and agencies, including the Courts, criminal justice, law enforcement, social services, and educational agencies.
Skilled in using current computer technology, including data entry and word processing.
Skilled in compiling and maintaining data and statistics.
Ability to effectively apprise defendants and their families of the impending criminal process.
Ability to understand, interpret and apply statutes, court regulations and rules.
Ability to conduct thorough investigations in a professional and impartial manner and prepare detailed case histories and reports.
Ability to effectively work with inmates in an environment with various disagreeable elements.
Ability to interact and provide services to clients under stressful conditions.
Ability to convey a professional image via attire and conduct.
Ability to consistently make effective decisions.
Who May Apply This recruitment is open to all applicants meeting the minimum requirements. Priority consideration will be given to Spokane County employees in a position covered by the 1553 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) submitting applications before 11/21/25. First consideration will be given to applicants working in the Office of Pretrial Services in a position covered by the 1553 CBA; second consideration given to County-wide applicants in a position covered by the 1553 CBA; third consideration given to all other applicants, including the public.
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Under the general direction of the Pretrial Services Manager, the officer performs investigative and pre‑trial case management work related to the direct delivery of adult Pretrial Services, including developing case histories, determining public defender eligibility, enforcing court‑ordered supervision, and implementing strategies to mitigate a defendant’s level of risk.
Responsibilities
Interview non‑classified felony and misdemeanor defendants in the County jail for purposes of preparing a first‑appearance evaluation for the Superior and District Courts.
Pose detailed questions to a defendant regarding residency, community ties, employment, mental health, and substance‑abuse history.
Confirm or refute information provided by contacting personal references.
Conduct collateral contacts with employers, schools, and/or social service agencies to enhance/verify information.
Investigate and compile criminal history accessing records from multiple agencies.
Prepare and present recommendations in District and Superior Courts pursuant to Court Rule 3.2 regarding the defendant’s eligibility for bond or release on own recognizance.
Monitor defendant’s progression through the criminal pre‑trial process, providing updated evaluations to the Court and addressing any concerns that may impact bond setting or release status.
Enforce Court‑ordered supervision for both the Monitored Release and Felony Diversion programs.
Maintain personal contact with defendants.
Address substance‑abuse, mental‑health and other areas of need by processing referrals; identify and investigate violations of supervision conditions; implement appropriate alternatives and sanctions as authorized.
Report violations to the Court and attend Court hearings to provide information and keep abreast of case status and requirements.
Prepare additional court reports and recommendations based on further research and evaluation using a myriad of resources as requested.
Conduct a financial interview and evaluate defendants in jail, at Geiger, and out of custody to determine qualifications for public defense services pursuant to Court Rule 3.1.
Notify the Superior and District Court of assigned or private counsel.
Respond to requests regarding a defendant’s legal representation or eligibility for special programs.
Perform other related duties as required/assigned.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, social work, criminal justice, or a closely related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
One (1) year of experience working in an investigative, social service, criminal justice, court, or custody setting.
Successfully pass a criminal background check.
Knowledge of the criminal justice system as it relates to adult offenders, investigative pre‑trial practices and procedures, and community resources.
Knowledge of applicable laws and regulations.
Knowledge of individual behaviors that would impact a defendant’s likelihood of success on pre‑trial release.
Knowledge of interviewing and report writing techniques.
Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.
Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with public and private officials and agencies, including the Courts, criminal justice, law enforcement, social services, and educational agencies.
Skilled in using current computer technology, including data entry and word processing.
Skilled in compiling and maintaining data and statistics.
Ability to effectively apprise defendants and their families of the impending criminal process.
Ability to understand, interpret and apply statutes, court regulations and rules.
Ability to conduct thorough investigations in a professional and impartial manner and prepare detailed case histories and reports.
Ability to effectively work with inmates in an environment with various disagreeable elements.
Ability to interact and provide services to clients under stressful conditions.
Ability to convey a professional image via attire and conduct.
Ability to consistently make effective decisions.
Who May Apply This recruitment is open to all applicants meeting the minimum requirements. Priority consideration will be given to Spokane County employees in a position covered by the 1553 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) submitting applications before 11/21/25. First consideration will be given to applicants working in the Office of Pretrial Services in a position covered by the 1553 CBA; second consideration given to County-wide applicants in a position covered by the 1553 CBA; third consideration given to all other applicants, including the public.
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