Position Summary
This position provides pretrial case management for people with pending criminal charges for the Circuit Courts of Waukesha County and requires independent judgement and decision-making ability in the course of their work to develop supervision plans and determine interventions. It requires a bachelor’s degree, and case managers must be certified Pretrial Professionals by the National Association of Pretrial Service Agencies within 6 months of hire. The case managers independently evaluate results of risk assessments to determine individualized supervision plans and appropriate interventions and resources. While providing supervision and support in daily meetings, the case managers must make independent decisions to coordinate resources to address the unique needs of individuals served. The case managers must produce reports and prepare their professional recommendations to the court official, defense attorneys, and assigned attorneys from the District Attorney’s office, which the courts rely on to make official decisions specific to bail and release. Case managers must function independently in their work with people served by the program.
Essential Functions:
1. Adhere to Pretrial Standards and Evidence-Based Practices established by NAPSA, funders, and the organization, using professional judgment to ensure program fidelity.
2. Evaluate and monitor court-ordered bail conditions, providing guidance and supervision based on individual risk assessment and professional discretion.
3. Independently manage assigned caseloads, including conducting intakes, developing individualized case plans, monitoring compliance, and determining appropriate interventions and referrals to treatment or community resources.
4. Attend team meetings to help shape program practices, and participate in policy and workflow decisions, sharing key input and experiences.
5. Support new employees with training and shadowing during their 90-day training period.
6. Support individuals in preparing for court hearings to reduce failure-to-appear risk, using professional judgment to determine intervention strategies.
7. Immediately address all violations of bail and supervision and prepare professional reports, court letters, and recommendations that directly influence judicial decisions, including responses to violations of bail or supervision conditions.
8. Conduct and interpret alcohol and drug screening results, determining follow-up actions, documenting findings, and preparing reports for the court and relevant stakeholders.
9. Maintain comprehensive case records, including evaluative documentation, risk analysis and updates to the case plan based on independent evaluation of progress, and professional recommendations, ensuring accurate and timely reporting in AWARDS and hard files.
10. Coordinate with the Electronic Monitoring services and staff and ensure routine check ins for inspection of the bracelet, and payment of fees, including addressing outstanding fees owed by people served.
11. Attend Victim Impact Panels for people pending Operating While Intoxicated charges, at least once per year.
Required Qualifications
· Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, Social Work, or related field.
· Experience working with individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use disorders.
· Prior experience in a case management role and ability to function independently, use professional discretion, and work as a team.
· Experience working with Community Based Organizations, and referrals and follow up to meet the needs of people served.
· Ability to collaborate with judges, attorneys, treatment providers, community organizations. As well as WCS staff, program managers and leadership, and other partners.
· Valid driver’s license, automobile, and insurance sufficient to meet agency requirements.
· Successful completion of employment background check, references, and other pre-employment requirements.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
· Communication – ability to provide information to a variety of individuals - the persons we serve, supervisor, colleagues, and program partners in writing and oral communications.
· Professional Judgment: Ability to evaluate complex situations and make independent decisions impacting case outcomes.
· Technological Proficiency – Skilled in relevant software and databases for case documentation and reporting.
· Managing Priorities/Deadlines – Ability to independently maintain schedules, meet deadlines and manage multiple projects.
· Problem-Solving Skills – Ability to think critically, operate independently, and be solution-oriented in a fast-paced environment and adapt to program changes and challenges.
· Adaptability – Ability to manage change, deal with situations as they arise and work independently or as part of a team.
· Teamwork and Leadership – Contribute to a collaborative environment while maintaining individual accountability for case decisions.
· Motivation – Possess a commitment to the assigned job, mission and core values of the organization while also supporting a respectful and harmonious work setting.
· Professionalism – Ability to conduct oneself with a high level of integrity, ethics and boundaries. Maintain professional and respectful communication with coworkers, people served, and all external people and agencies involved with service provision.
· Multicultural Sensitivity – Effectively serve and interact with diverse populations with cultural sensitivity.
· Evidence-Based Practice - Knowledge of Motivational Interviewing, Trauma-Informed Care, Person-Centered Care, and other funder- or agency-adopted practices, applying these with discretion to client care.
· Embrace the Agency Code of Conduct – In all interactions with people served, leadership and other WCS staff, and partners.
· Program Specific Knowledge, Skills and Abilities – Follow pretrial national standards and best practices established by the National Association of Pretrial Service Agencies (NAPSA) in daily practice, familiarity with the Wisconsin Justice System; knowledge of local treatment programs and
community resources to include housing, education, public transportation; knowledge of the Circuit Court Access Program (CCAP).
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
Duties require good hearing and the ability to communicate verbally; hand and finger dexterity for data entry and documentation; involve minimal driving between Waukesha and Milwaukee County. While the position may involve occasional weekend or field duties, such as drug/alcohol screening or office visits or attendance in court to testify, these activities are ancillary to professional judgment, supervision decisions, and level of compliance or risk.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Work is performed primarily in an office setting in Waukesha, WI with some travel to Milwaukee on a rotating schedule (visits here are once per week and shared by all program case managers). The employee also is responsible for observing and supervising participant drug screens. People served may exhibit disruptive behavior at times. The position is full-time, 40 hours each week to include periodic assigned Saturdays (7:00-10:00am) for drug and alcohol testing, requiring schedule adjustments the week assigned to test. The employee has contact with a wide variety of individuals to include justice-involved individuals, court officials, law enforcement, jail staff, treatment and other services providers, DOC staff, other justice agencies, other WCS staff, and family members of individuals served.
Wisconsin Community Services, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants will be considered for employment without attention to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran or disability status.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $40,000.00 - $43,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Education:
Work Location: In person
