PLEASE NOTE: This position is fully grant funded for the rest of 2026 and the entirety of 2027.
WHO WE ARE:
Wood County has a great passion for helping the members of our community. As an employer, we strive to provide a work environment where diversity and differing opinions are valued, creativity is encouraged, continuous learning and improvement are fostered, teamwork and open/honest communication are encouraged, and meeting customer needs through quality services is a shared goal across all departments. If you have a background in Criminal Justice and a passion to help the members of our community, please consider joining our team!
WHAT WE OFFER:
In addition to who we are, Wood County team members are offered competitive salaries, flexible schedules, and excellent benefits including:
- Health Insurance - we offer low premiums and low deductibles, with excellent coverage!
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) - This is one of the best-funded public pension plans in the U.S.!
- 457 deferred compensation plan
- Vacation and Sick Time - Start accruing for both on your first day!
- Paid Holidays
- Flexible Spending Account to set aside pre-tax dollars for childcare and medical expenses
- Life Insurance
- Short and Long-Term Disability
- Wellness Incentive Plan
- Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Diversion Program is designed to divert targeted offenders from traditional criminal justice system processing. The purpose of the position is to assist the District Attorney’s Office in providing case management to offenders placed on (pre) or (post) charge diversion agreements. The position is responsible for evaluating defendants’ suitability for the program using approved risk/needs assessments, monitoring, and sanctioning offenders that are placed on such agreements. The position is designed to hold offenders accountable through supervision, referrals to community resources, and adhering to the practice of restorative justice principles and evidence-based practices. Under the supervision of the Criminal Justice Coordinator and in close cooperation with the District Attorney’s (DA) Office, this position will inform defendants of their rights related to this program, applicable court procedures, their options within the pre and post charge agreements, possible referrals to other agencies, and manage a caseload of criminal offenders that vary in risk, need, and offense.
SUPERVISES
No supervisory responsibility.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
1. Tracks and manages cases to ensure defendants are complying with requirements, deadlines, and overall case plan. Coordinates follow up on cases including obtaining necessary documents and maintaining complete case files. Maintains calendar to track cases. Refers non-compliance issues to the District Attorney’s Office to discuss what action, if any, should result from the non-compliance.
2. Processes referrals from the District Attorney’s Office in a timely and organized manner.
3. Maintains regular communication with members of the District Attorney’s office and provides thorough and accurate case records upon request. Maintains all relevant documentation with regards to diversion agreement contracts as required by the courts or other departments involved.
4. Coordinates, schedules, and conducts face-to-face intake, risk/need assessment, evaluation, and orientation with new client admissions. Explains program objectives, procedures, rules, consequences, and purpose of agreements.
5. Meets with victims of crimes to explain the Diversion Program in cooperation with the Criminal Justice Coordinator and Victim Witness Coordinator.
6. Consults with the Diversion Program Coordinator and District Attorney’s Office on range of issues relating to appropriateness for program participation, revocation, extension, or rejection of clients from program.
7. Presents Criminal Justice Department and District Attorney’s joint recommendation to the client and their defense attorney. Receives feedback from defense attorney and, if needed, modifies the offer based on set procedures approved by the DA or settles on what the prosecutor on the case has proposed.
8. Works closely with District Attorney’s Office on assigned cases and active contracts.
9. Coordinates implementation of agreement plans and monitors offenders’ progress with service providers; evaluates need for continuation of service or modification of the case plan; amends agreements due to violations or needed extensions.
10. May have to attend and testify at court hearings.
11. Ensures restitution payments are made to victims according to the agreement plan.
12. Ensures court appointed attorney fees and programming fees are paid before releasing clients from program.
13. Coordinates community service opportunities for clients.
14. Assists clients with Operating After Revocation offenses in obtaining their driver’s license.
15. Utilizing a comprehensive risk and need evaluation, develops, implements, and revises a case management plan in accordance with agency policy.
16. Identifies, develops, adapts, and implements case management methods according to client needs.
17. Maintains client files in accordance with applicable agency, County, State and Federal guidelines while also maintaining client and victim confidentiality.
18. Coordinate appropriate referrals with outside agencies and community partners.
19. Advocates on behalf of clients to assure client needs are met appropriately and in a timely fashion, through meeting with service providers/administration to explain client needs and to facilitate service delivery.
20. Meets with other community agencies/organizations, as directed, to assist them in providing relevant programs/services for clients or to develop programs to meet other community needs.
21. Gathers and provides to administration such information as may be deemed useful for ongoing program evaluation, grant reporting, and planning.
22. Perform regular, random, and observed drug screens in accordance with agency policy
23. Ensures data is collected and documented within the time frame established by the agency.
24. Responsible to know and practice the Safety policies of the County. Performs all job tasks in a safe and prescribed manner.
25. Must be familiar with and exemplify the Wood County Core Values and serve with courtesy and respect in accordance with the Wood County Code of Conduct.
26. Any other duties as may be assigned.
EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, QUALIFICATIONS
This position requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in a related field and a minimum of two (2) years working within the addiction and/or community corrections field or, any combination of experience and education that meets the requirements of the position.
Comprehensive knowledge of the criminal justice system as well as substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders is preferred. Experience in motivational interviewing, conducting risk needs assessments like COMPAS and ORAS, creating case plans based off of risk/needs assessments, and case management are also preferred.
Possession of a valid driver’s license, as well as a licensed and insured automobile are required as a condition of employment. Traveling and working in both Wisconsin Rapids, WI and Marshfield, WI is required.
Must be cleared to access CJIS (Criminal Justice Information Services) reports and DOC (Department of Corrections) records per FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigations) and DOC eligibility requirements. Must be allowed clearance to access the Wood County Jail per the Sheriff’s Department.
Basic everyday living skills, including the ability to understand and follow directions (such as court procedures and protocol, statutory requirements, etc.), the ability to communicate effectively, use discretion, and reading and writing is necessary. Ability to communicate orally and in writing with individuals and groups. Ability to maintain confidentiality. This position will require weekend hours; however, the schedule is flexible.
Basic office equipment used: computer and printer, FAX machine, copy machine, calculator, scanner, video-conferencing equipment and multi-line telephone.
