Job Description

This position provides diverse services to the courts, jail and offenders at various stages of the legal process. Screen jail inmates through interviews and review inmate record for the purpose of establishing eligibility and placement in the programs and services offered by Offender Services as an alternative to the standard methods of incarceration. It conducts bail studies. Benefits Information: Cowlitz County offers a generous benefits package which includes:

• Medical/Dental/Vision (includes dependent coverage)
• VEBA/Health Retirement Account for those who qualify
• Retirement through Washington State Public Employees Retirement System
• Life Insurance
• Deferred Compensation plans available (457b)
• Vacation, Bonus and Leave Days Paid
• 10 Paid Holidays
• Reasonable work hours

The County Cowlitz County is a great place to live and work. Located along the Columbia River less than an hour from the Cascade Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Cowlitz County provides an abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities and easy access to the Arts. The I-5 corridor runs right through Cowlitz County providing quick access to the Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon metropolitan areas.
Job Duties
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Full reception and front desk duties including: courteously greet visitors and receive incoming calls, answer questions and provide information, screen calls, direct visitors and callers to the appropriate staff or department, and take messages.
• Conduct intake interviews on all new inmates to establish eligibility for the various services and programs offered by Offender Services and classify them for the appropriate housing assignment in the jail. Run background investigations to include criminal histories and warrants checks to the client\xe2\x80\x99s files.
• Prepare documents and enroll inmate into appropriate programs, or place them on a waiting list for: Out-of-Custody Work Crew, In-Custody Work Crew, Electronic Monitoring, Work Release, Alternative Community Service, Day-Reporting, and Pre-Trial Release.
• Coordinate enrollments with program supervisor.
• Conduct bail studies and assessments for District and Superior Courts. Interview new felons waiting for hearing in Superior Court and define his/her qualification for appointed attorney. Advise the courts of pre-trial detainees unable to make bail.
• Prepare regular reports including changing status of the inmate jail population.
• Investigate program problems and client complaints. Participate in the review process. Initiate action such as warning letters, denial of programs, and affidavits when clients do not comply with program rules, court orders or court agreements.
• Maintain records, including programs\xe2\x80\x99 statistical data.
• Collect and test routine urine analysis (UA).
• Collect DNA samples ordered by the courts.
• Assist scheduling professional service visits at the jail.
• Set up jail educational classes and determine inmate eligibility for the classes. Escort inmates to/from jail education classes.
• Maintain active client lists for each class.
• Prepare regular reports on programs and inmate\xe2\x80\x99s performance, conduct, attitude, and compliance with jail or program rules.
• Assist or cover for other Officers.
• Testify in courts regarding inmate\xe2\x80\x99s compliance with programs and jail rules.
• Collaborate with other Offender Services staff to improve services and operations, ensure proper services and time lines.
• Perform general clerical duties to maintain records, prepare correspondence, make contacts, and prepare regular reports.
• Attend staff meetings. Contribute recommendations for improvement of operations and services.
• Attend required training and conferences.

Other Duties:

• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Cross train to provide back up as needed for all Offender Services alternative programs and staff.

Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:

• High school graduate or equivalent.
• Be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old. Successfully pass a background investigation. Pass a polygraph exam and psychological profile interview.
• Possess and maintain a valid driver\xe2\x80\x99s license.

Supplemental Information
Required Skills and Abilities:

• Customer service and interpersonal skills in dealing with inmates, public, own department staffs and staff from other agencies.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Provide clear and concise instructions.
• Ability to multi-task daily activities and determine work priorities. Good organizational skills to maintain records.
• Able to maintain professionalism and control during stressful situations.
• Able to exercise discretion over sensitive and confidential issues related to the department and its business.
• Initiative with problem-solving skills, while following standard practices, policies and procedures of the department.
• Perform all duties of the position in accordance to Policies and Procedures.
• Ability to handle job stress and interact effectively in the workplace.

Cowlitz County offers a competitive benefits package for Full-Time employees, including:

• Health Insurance: Variety of Medical, dental, life, vision, and prescription insurance for employee and family. Employees who are covered under another person\'s medical plan have the option of an HRA (Health Retirement Account) in lieu of medical insurance. HSA and FSA plans are also available, depending on eligibility.
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Retirement: All full-time employees must participate in a Washington State Retirement Services plan, and may participate in a Deferred Compensation Plan, if desired.
• Employee Assistance Program employees and family members for help with personal or family issues.
• Group Life Insurance: Basic life and Accident insurance is provided to employee, with additional insurance available to purchase.