Release Assistance Officer

Initial Posting Date:

04/30/2024

Application Deadline:

05/28/2024

Agency:

Judicial Department

Salary Range:

$4,811 - $7,464

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Release Assistance Officer

Job Description:

Interviews: will be scheduled within three weeks after the application deadline.

Who We Are

Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) serves the public, and the people we serve may be facing challenging life circumstances, high levels of stress, or confusion about their next steps. The work you will do in this role affects members of our community who come to the court to have their cases resolved. We need people who want to impact their communities, value OJD's efforts to remove barriers to access justice services, and welcome interacting with the public.

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We consider relevant work, lived experience, and education, plus any transferable skills and abilities that may meet our qualifications or the skills and attributes we need for this position. We welcome all candidates who are inspired by our work and mission.

Benefits to You

• We pay 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums for full-time employees, including mental health coverage.

• The annual salary for this position is $57,732 - $89,568.

• 10 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, 3 personal business days, separate sick and vacation paid leaves (prorated for part-time employees), and other employee benefits such as optional insurances and flexible spending plans.

• OJD will pay you a 5% allowance for bilingual skills (includes ASL) if you can pass a skills test and are assigned to use those skills on the job!

• In this job profile, we offer candidates new to OJD the first two steps of the salary range. You are potentially eligible for a 5% annual increase.

Position Highlights

The Columbia County Circuit Court in Saint Helens, Oregon, is hiring a Release Assistance Officer.

In this role, you will interview adults in custody to determine their eligibility for pretrial release. You will research criminal case histories, interview victims, complete risk assessments and financial affidavits, prepare reports for judges, monitor jail capacity, and release certain adults in custody. You will determine pretrial release options for defendants by applying Oregon Revised Statutes, Chief Justice Orders, Presiding Judge Orders, and using risk assessment tools. You will determine who, upon release, is most likely to appear in court, is not likely to commit new offenses, and does not pose a threat to the community or themselves. You will also testify during court proceedings about release recommendations, revocations of release for noncompliance, and other matters.

Additionally, you will investigate potential violations of release agreements and will monitor defendants who are subject to release agreements by reviewing data from, and interacting with, the District Attorney, defense attorneys, parole and probation staff, law enforcement staff, public service agencies, and the public.

Part of your time will be spent focusing on administrative work related to pretrial releases: performing data entry, reviewing caseloads, updating court dates for automated reminders, and preparing and sending warning letters and letters revoking release agreements.

Assigned tasks may be changed to accommodate workload and organizational needs.

Instructions for Cover Letter and Work History/Resume

Your cover letter and work history/resume should demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications, the Special Qualifications, and the Requested Skills and Attributes, which are listed below.

Cover Letter

• Attach your cover letter (not to exceed two pages) in the Resume / Cover Letter section of the application. Your cover letter and filename should include your name.

• In the body of your cover letter, please include responses to all Requested Skills and Attributes listed below.

• Address the cover letter "To the Hiring Manager."

• Do not use a generic cover letter; please personalize your cover letter for this position. We read every letter.

• Prepare your cover letter before starting your Workday application.

Work History/Resume

• Attach your updated resume in the Resume / Cover Letter section of the application. Your resume and filename should include your name.

OR

• Complete the Job History/Work Experience portion of your Workday profile if you are not using an updated resume.

Failure to follow these instructions may result in rejection of your application. All application materials will be evaluated for consistency of information, and your letter will be evaluated for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and language use in addition to demonstrated experience.

Minimum Qualifications

(These must be evident in your work history or resume.)

The qualified candidate must possess a bachelor's degree in business or public administration, behavioral or social/human services, or a closely related field.

OR

Have four (4) years' experience in criminal justice or a court environment.

OR

Have any combination of education and experience equivalent to four (4) years of experience that typically supports the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.

Special Qualifications

(These must be verifiable.)

The qualified candidate must obtain and possess LEDS certification within six months of hire. Eligibility requirements for obtaining LEDS certification are available here.

Requested Skills and Attributes

(These must be addressed in your cover letter.)

• Experience conducting interviews to obtain personal or financial information.

• Experience communicating effectively, orally and in writing, with people in emotionally charged and stressful situations.

• Experience communicating decisions regarding the approval or denial of benefits or services and explaining laws, rules, or regulations.

• Experience using a computer to access and input information and complete work.

• Experience maintaining accuracy and meeting deadlines despite frequent interruptions or distracting surroundings.

• Experience identifying and safeguarding confidential information and materials.

• Experience working in a court, criminal justice, corrections, or other legal environment.

Working Conditions

• This is a full-time position, and the work schedule is currently 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday; however, this position may need to work nights, weekends, days, holidays, and a combination of shifts on a rotational basis. This position is eligible for overtime compensation for hours worked in excess of 40 per workweek.

• Occasional after-hours or overtime work may be required.

• Frequent phone and in-person contact with people from diverse backgrounds.

• Frequent phone and in-person contact with people who may be facing challenging life circumstances, highly stressful situations, or trauma, including those who may be angry, hostile, or frustrated.

• Daily contact with the public regarding court processes.

• Daily data entry.

• Long periods of sitting or standing.

• Frequent walking and stairs.

• Occasionally lifting items that weigh less than 20 lbs.

• Regular use of the following equipment: telephone, OJD-assigned computer with multiple monitors, copy machine, fax machine, and scanner.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Criminal Background Check

You will be subject to a criminal background check if you are a finalist. Adverse results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may result in disqualification if the circumstances are directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Reference Checks

By submitting your application to OJD, you consent to reference checks about your qualifications, your workplace performance, and your work product.

United States Employment Eligibility

OJD does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. OJD will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

Future Vacancies

Apply now if you are interested in this or future vacancies. This job announcement may be used to fill future vacancies in this class of work.

Veterans' Preference

Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given preference in the recruitment process. To receive preference, veterans must attach the appropriate documentation after they receive an email in their Workday inbox requesting the information to verify eligibility. The action item, asking veterans to attach their documentation, will arrive after they have submitted their initial application materials. Visit the Oregon job opportunities Veterans web page for additional details, information, and resources.

Conduct Expectations

Because of OJD's role in providing justice and upholding the rule of law, employees of the department are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job, and also to maintain those same high standards when taking actions in their personal lives that could reflect on the department. As an employee, you will be expected to preserve the confidentiality of information received in the course of OJD employment.

Pay Equity

As an employer, OJD complies with Oregon's pay equity law. In this job profile, we offer candidates new to OJD the first two steps of the salary range. For more information on pay equity, click here.

Employee Benefits

Click here to access information specific to OJD employee benefits.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

OJD is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. To learn more about this program, and how to qualify, please click here.

Questions and Support

• If you require an alternate format to complete the application process, call 503-986-5930, or TTY: Oregon Relay Service 711 for the hearing impaired. Be prepared to describe the alternate format needed.

• Workday related information and resources are available here.

• For questions about a specific OJD job posting, call 503-986-5930 or email ojd.hrsd@ojd.state.or.us.

The Oregon Judicial Department embraces equal opportunity and affirmative action. We are committed to building a diverse team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.