Pretrial Screening Officer

This position description sets out the essential duties and responsibilities of the position, details the knowledge, abilities, skills, licenses, certifications, education, and experience necessary to be successful in the role, and lists the equipment normally operated by, scope of supervision, and usual physical demands on the incumbent.

The Pretrial Screening Officer serves in the Pretrial Screening Section of the Pretrial & Investigative Services Department and reports to the Pretrial Screening Supervisor. The Pretrial Screening Officer is responsible for interviewing, investigating, and preparing risk assessments and bond recommendations for defendants appearing at arraignments.

• Interviews incarcerated defendants; gathers, collates, and documents social backgrounds and verifies information; compiles and analyzes defendants’ records; and runs Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS) and criminal history checks.
• Prepares risk assessments for all courts within the county.
• Completes written bond recommendations for all courts within the county, and bond entries for the Common Pleas Court, including any special conditions of bond.
• Completes written bond reports for arraignment docket and motions for bond review.
• Appears in court as required for bond hearings.
• Obtain and maintain Operator Certification through the Law Enforcement Automated Data System (LEADS).
• Participates in training opportunities, court activities, projects, and committees as requested or required.
• Completes special projects and other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Knowledge of: counseling; chemical dependency; social work; corrections; pretrial supervision regulations; court system procedures and processes; criminal justice system; community social service agencies and resources; universal precautions for control of blood‑borne pathogens;
Ohio Revised Code pertaining to pretrial services.

Ability to: establish rapport with offenders/defendants of various social and economic backgrounds; perform under stress when confronted with emergency, critical, unusual or dangerous situations; work with resistant clients.

Skill in: interviewing offenders/defendants, victims, and others; completing statistical and essay reports; data input; operation of a computer; application of job software programs; self‑defense; listening.

All court employees are expected to stay current in their areas of technical expertise; maintain attention to detail; exhibit good organizational skills; work effectively on own initiative and by cooperating with others; engage in active listening; speak and write clearly and concisely; demonstrate good manners, friendly demeanor, and professional behavior; uphold the policies, procedures, and practices of the court; maintain the confidentiality of sensitive and privileged information;

and represent the court with honesty and integrity.

The position requires an appropriate combination of formal education, additional training and courses, and work experience. There is not an exact level or mixture of these elements to indicate one will necessarily be successful in, or qualify for, the position. For example, purposes only, an acceptable combination of qualifications for the position would include a bachelor’s degree in psychology, sociology, criminal justice, or a related field.

A valid state of Ohio motor vehicle operator’s license is preferred in order to carry out job‑related essential functions. Private insurance is required if a private vehicle is employed for job‑related functions.

The position requires no supervisory duties or responsibilities.

Vehicle, computer, calculator, copier, fax, telephone, and other general office equipment.

While performing duties of this job, the employee regularly exhibits digital dexterity and eye‑hand coordination when performing typing and other tasks. The employee frequently sits for extended periods of time and occasionally stands and walks. Employee converses verbally with others in person and by telephone. Vision demands include close, relatively detailed vision when typing and using a computer screen. The job may involve operating and sitting in a vehicle.