Therapeutic Court Officer

Description

Snohomish County District Court is seeking an individual with an understanding of best practices in Therapeutic Courts, case management skills, coordination of services experience, and strong communication skills to join our Therapeutic Court team. If you are someone who believes in accountability with compassion and want to assist court-involved people in making positive change in their lives, this may be the position for you!

This is a full-time project position with funding through June 30, 2027.

To provide evaluation, monitoring, direction, and counseling for individuals participating in the District Court Therapeutic Court Programs.

• Interviews participants to determine appropriateness for referral and entry into Therapeutic Court Programs;
  Conducts and scores risk and needs assessments to systematically gather participant information that indicates risk of reoffence, targets areas for behavior change, develops case plans based upon the needs of each participant and prepares reports for the court; updates risk assessment documentation as participant makes changes and/or at specific times as required.
• Identifies and refers participants to necessary and appropriate Behavioral Health, medical, and/or other forms of assistance, such as housing, transportation, childcare, food, state benefits, Veterans’ Benefits, etc., to achieve desired program outcomes.
• Conducts regular meetings with court participants to discuss compliance with program requirements, treatment assessments, and treatment requirements; assists participants with engagement, and to achieve program goals.
• Resolves crisis situations, monitors participant behavior, and provides referrals to appropriate community resources when necessary; enforces program rules.
• Evaluates diagnostic tests; prepares participant reports using information from social services, legal professionals, and agencies; completes required forms, and documents interactions with participants and providers
• Provides interim case management to participants who are applying for long-term case management services.
• Maintains collaborative relationships with the Therapeutic Court team members, service and treatment providers, and community stakeholders.
• Attends weekly Therapeutic Court hearings and team meetings to report on program compliance and recommend responses to participant behavior.
• Establishes and updates a reporting structure to identify, track, and monitor participants and the services they receive.
• Monitors participant progress in the program, including recreational, education, and/or employment-related activities of participants.
• Conducts public relations activities by contacting past program participants to collect data for program evaluation and serves as a liaison between participants and various components of the criminal justice system.
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge Of

• current behavioral health treatment services network in Snohomish County and Washington State
• interviewing, diagnostic, and counseling techniques
• crisis intervention skills and trauma-informed practices
• case management and risk/needs/responsivity principles
• individual and group behavior
• Washington State courts and justice system
• literature, developments, and trends in the social service area
• Therapeutic court models and best practices
• rules of confidentiality, HIPAA, and 42 CFR Part 2
• computer programs, database queries, and usage

Ability To

• administer and evaluate criminogenic and behavioral assessments
• attend training as required.
• express ideas and recommendations effectively orally and in writing
• make presentations to large and small groups
• establish and maintain effective work relationships with participants, families, public and private officials, and the public
• apply abstract principles, guidelines, and concepts to concrete work situations
• demonstrate compassion while maintaining the integrity of the therapeutic court model and best practices
• effectively interview, determine appropriate courses of action, and evaluate individual progress in court, office, and/or jail settings
• read, interpret, and apply work-related laws, court rules, and policies
• maintain confidentiality and ethical standards

Bachelor’s degree in substance abuse counseling, criminal justice, psychology, sociology, social work or related field; AND two (2) years of experience in a therapeutic court environment involving case assessment, case management, client interviewing, social service delivery; OR, any equivalent combination of training and/or experience that provides the required knowledge and abilities.

Knowledge of Behavioral Health disorders preferred.

Must pass job-related tests.

Must complete the Washington State Misdemeanant Probation Counselor Academy per WAC  within 12 months of hire date or show proof of completion of the academy upon hire.

Applicants must successfully pass a criminal background investigation,…