Job Details for Chief Pretrial Services Officer

Summary of Representative Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide executive leadership, management and supervision for all operations of the pretrial services office. Organizes the pretrial services office to ensure expeditious handling of investigative work for the courts and effective supervision of persons on pretrial release.
• Review, analyze, and interpret statutory, Judicial Conference, and Administrative Office requirements for the administration of pretrial services. Promulgates policies, procedures, and guidelines to meet these requirements.
• Formulate, implement, monitor and modify organizational policy involving collaboration with judges and other court personnel to ensure an appropriate level of service delivery. Develop and execute strategic plans.
• Manage and supervise, directly or indirectly, all staff of the district’s pretrial services office. Appoint all pretrial service officers or non-officer personnel with the approval of the district court; responsible for all other personnel matters including promotions, salary increases, disciplinary actions and dismissals. Determines that all personnel are adequately trained and ensures the work of all subordinates is systematically evaluated.
• Work with the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Federal Judicial Center, U.S. Sentencing Commission, federal courts and other governmental agencies having business before the court. Provide subject matter expertise for judicial committees and judge’s meetings.
• Develop, implement and enforce policies and practices to secure staff and physical assets of the pretrial services court unit.
• Develop, administer, execute and monitor the budget for the Pretrial Services Office and collaborate with other court unit executives regarding budget for shared services. Makes estimates of personnel, space allocation, and operating allowance needs. Approves requisitions, certifies vouchers for payment, and maintains appropriate fiscal controls in all matters pertaining to travel expenses and purchases of service, equipment, and supplies for the pretrial services court unit.
• Maintains an effective system of communication providing pertinent information at all levels. Delegates decision-making responsibility at appropriate levels. Provides qualitative and quantitative measures of work performance and assures accountability in the performance of duty. Effectuates and maintains conditions that encourage staff loyalty, enthusiasm, and morale.
• Develops and maintains public relations programs that explain pretrial services to the community. Assumes responsibility for communication to the news media under the direction of the court.
• Maintains liaison with the chief judge, magistrate judges, and other judges. Make specific recommendations regarding court-related criminal justice issues with particular emphasis on matters relating to sound pretrial release and detention practices.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with other pretrial services and probation offices to sure all requests for assistance from other districts are met promptly and effectively.
• Establishes and maintains cooperative relationships with all components of the criminal justice system to include federal, state, and local law enforcement, correctional and social services agencies.
• Works closely with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in operating a Pretrial Diversion program for the district and provides support as needed to the District Court’s specialty Pretrial Diversion Court(s).
• Monitors community events and issues with special attention on alleviating hazardous office and field incidents.
• Advises the court on an ongoing basis of the eligibility, availability, and capacity of local agencies that may serve as third-party custodians of persons on pretrial release.
• Establishes and maintains contact with public and private agencies that provide employment and medical, legal, or social services. This includes but is not limited to soliciting and managing contracts with substance abuse and mental health treatment providers.
• Develops, implements, and maintains a system to monitor and evaluate bail activities; provides information to the court on results of bail decisions and prepares periodic reports to assist in the improvement of the bail process. This includes routine reporting to and communication with the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts regarding release and detention data.
• All other duties assigned to perform such other functions as required by the court.
• Occasional travel outside of the district is required for training or conferences, as well as regular trips to the additional courthouses located in Cape Girardeau and Hannibal, Missouri.