Job Description
Job ID: 32020
Agency: Unified Judicial System, Sixth Judicial Circuit
Location: Fort Pierre, SD
Salary: $28.37 per hour
Closing date: 07/28/2025
For more information on the Unified Judicial System, please visit http://ujs.sd.gov .
The Unified Judicial System (UJS) is dedicated to providing a fair, impartial, and accessible court system that upholds the rule of law and is worthy of the public's trust and confidence. Our vision is justice for all.
Our employees are our most valuable resource and crucial to accomplishing our mission. We seek talented and motivated individuals to be the face of the court system and help ensure that the Court and all the people that come before it receives the highest level of service. Our dedicated staff work to enhance community safety and ensure victims' rights while treating all individuals with dignity and respect.
The UJS offers a comprehensive benefits package consisting of 11-13 paid holidays every year, extensive sick and vacation leave, paid family leave, military training leave, health and flexible benefits, regular working hours, continuing education opportunities, retirement benefits, a great working environment, and more.
Position Purpose:
Provides oversight and manages the team dynamics of the treatment court team, ensures team members adhere to identified functions, philosophy, and performance standards, oversees client data, remains informed regarding budgetary concerns of the treatment court and coordinates services from each discipline, and the local community, in a manner that is most therapeutic to the participant.
Supervises adults and juveniles on or anticipating probation by preparing presentence investigations and social histories; interviewing victims; assessing offenders' risks and needs; making recommendations to the court for sentences and dispositions; developing treatment plans and linking offenders with appropriate community-based services; and investigating, supervising, and counseling individuals to facilitate their personal, social, and economic adjustment in their communities. Travel is required. This position will be required to work hours during evenings and weekends, as necessary. Duties may include:
- Functioning as a member of the treatment court team by monitoring best practice standards, discussing participants, contributing ideas, recommending action, and committing him or herself to the program's mission and goals and working as a full partner to ensure success.
- Acting as the contact point between the community and the court to ensure the treatment court program's effectiveness and success.
- Identifying and recommending competent and informed treatment providers to ensure appropriate treatment within best practice standards.
- Creating interagency linkages to address treatment court clients' ancillary needs in the areas of medical, housing, employment, and vocational skills planning.
- Working with all team members from treatment, community supervision, and law enforcement to create standards for program compliance.
- Providing oversight of the data collection to ensure accuracy within the data management system by all treatment court team members.
- Working closely with the judge to ensure treatment court program adjustments are implemented, policies are followed, participants' needs are addressed, and program standards are met.
- Working in conjunction with the Chief Court Services Officer (CCSO) and other treatment court team members to prepare financial reports and summaries to inform team members of financial status.
- Assisting Judges in forming sentences and dispositions for offenders that provide accountability and punishment and encourage rehabilitation, and at the same time provide community safety.
- Referring offenders to services considering court orders, family dynamics, and individual difficulties and skills to facilitate their personal, social, and economic adjustment in their communities.
- Supervising probationers and diversion program participants by conducting visits at homes, work, schools, or elsewhere in their communities and by telephone; keeps precise records of all meetings; and obtains verification for completion of services to check on their progress and ensure compliance with court orders.
- Performing court duty and attending offenders' hearings routinely to expedite court processes and assist individuals and agencies involved.
- performing other work as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in psychology, sociology, social sciences, criminal justice, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of related education and experience. Work experience in social services, corrections, domestic violence, disability services, drug and alcohol centers, treatment centers, group homes, or a related field is preferred.
Successful completion of a criminal background investigation is required for employment.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge of:
- substance use disorders, pharmacology and effective treatment techniques;
- presentation techniques and tools;
- community resources that offer substance abuse treatment and counseling;
- criminal justice and court system and procedures;
- interpersonal communications with individuals from a variety of socioeconomic and education backgrounds;
- community service agencies and the services they provide;
- human behavior including dysfunctional behavior;
- interviewing techniques;
- de-escalation techniques;
- addiction and issues that contribute to its cause;
- physical evidence that points to drug use;
- data collection and research techniques;
- court processes;
- counseling;
- Microsoft Office and programs.
Skill in:
- organization and prioritization;
- time management;
- problem-solving;
- motivation;
- creativity;
- self-defense techniques;
- conflict resolution.
Ability to:
- prepare written documents and reports;
- establish and maintain effective working relationships with outside agencies, legal professionals, participants, the general public, and the courts;
- educate and encourage others to participate in the treatment court initiative and philosophy;
- effectively manage team members from diverse disciplines, in a non-adversarial way, to achieve maximum results;
- solves problems efficiently and effectively;
- read and interpret non-verbal cues;
- manage a caseload effectively;
- think independently, formulate plans of action, and remain flexible;
- communicate effectively both orally and in writing with a wide variety of people;
- establish and maintain professional boundaries;
- be a role model through truth and respect given and expected in return;
- be compassionate, sympathetic, empathetic, and caring as well as stern, persistent, and resilient;
- teach probationers about boundaries and hold them accountable for their actions;
- remain calm in stressful and volatile situations;
- prioritize court matters with deadlines and sentencing dates;
- use computer technology proficiently.
The State of South Dakota, Unified Judicial System does not sponsor work visas for new or existing employees. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete an Employment Eligibility Verification, Form I-9. The Unified Judicial System as an employer will be using E-Verify to complete employment eligibility verification upon hire.
You may view our benefits information at https://ujs.sd.gov/media/gbtinrye/come_work_for_us.pdf .
Apply at:
Unified Judicial System
500 East Capitol Avenue
Pierre, SD 57501-5070
Phone: 605.773.4884
"An Equal Opportunity Employer"
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