Pretrial Officer - Prescreening Division

Pretrial Officer - Prescreening Division

Salary

Depends on Qualifications

Location

Houston, TX

Job Type

Regular Full-time

Job Number

17157

Department

Pretrial Services

Opening Date

08/31/2026

Closing Date

10/30/2026 11:59 PM Central

Max Number of Applicants

200

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Description

Under general supervision, the Pretrial Officer will be responsible for preparing reports on defendants that assist the courts with pretrial release and detention decisions, indigency determination and other related processes.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Initiates and coordinates activities to access defendants in the city and county jails.

• Interviews defendants and elicits needed information.

• Investigates and documents the criminal and social history of interviewed defendants.

• Consolidates information compiled on defendants and assesses the risk of misconduct.

• Appears in court to present defendant reports.

• Conveys supplemental information about release options to the judiciary, prosecutors and defense attorneys.

• Evaluates the defendants ability to comply with release conditions and apprises court of compliance problems.

• Instructs defendants about conditions and obligations of release.

• Coordinates activities necessary to implement judicially ordered release conditions.

• Completes reports and generate computer mainframe transactions that provide information necessary to document department activities.

• Testifies in court.

• Responds to inquiries from defendants and the public about the pre-trial process.

• Collaborates with personnel in Criminal Justice and Human Service agencies, representatives of the legal community and others to achieve department goals.

• Performs all tasks accurately and thoroughly within demanding timeframes.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer

https://hrrm.harriscountytx.gov/Pages/EqualEmploymentOpportunityPlan.aspx

If you need special services or accommodations, please call (713) 274-5445 or email ADACoordinator@bmd.hctx.net.

This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Counseling, or other closely related field from an accredited university or college.

OR

• Bachelors degree in any other field of study from an accredited university or college; and

• A minimum of one (1) year of full-time paid experience in a Criminal Justice setting, OR

• A minimum of two (2) years of volunteer experience in a Criminal Justice or Social Sciences setting

Licensures:

• Valid drivers license (Texas upon hire), reliable transportation and current auto liability insurance

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Effective communication, interaction, and organizational skills

• Excellent documentation skills

• Ability to perform tasks in a fast-paced environment

• Demonstrated tolerance for diverse populations

Additional Requirements:

• All new employees are required to present evidence of a TB skin test prior to employment.

• Upon receiving a conditional offer of employment, all applicants are screened for the presence of illegal drugs.

Applicants for this position will be subject to a criminal background check that includes being fingerprinted. This applies to any position with network access to Criminal Justice Information Services (CJIS) or access to an area where CJIS is received, maintained or stored either manually or electronically (i.e. custodian, maintenance).

Automatic Disqualification:

• Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for any Felony, and any Class A Misdemeanor

• Convictions, probation, or deferred adjudication for a Class B Misdemeanor, if within the previous 10 years

• Open arrest for any criminal offense (Felony or Misdemeanor)

• Family Violence conviction

NOTE: Qualifying education, experience, knowledge, and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.

Preferences

Education:

• Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice or related field.

Experience:

• Paid work experience in a criminal justice setting performing case management activities.

General Information

Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

• Regular Full-time | 40 Hours Per Week

• Evening and Midnight Shifts

• Holiday Hours/Overtime as Required

• Days off vary

Salary:

• Depends on Qualifications
• Based on 26 Pay Periods

Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.

The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:

Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*
• Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.

In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the Countys behalf as needed.

For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:

www.benefitsathctx.com

01

Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?

• High School or GED diploma
• Associates Degree
• Bachelors Degree
• Masters Degree or higher
• None of the above

02

If you selected a college degree in response to the previous question, which of the following best describes your major?

• Criminal Justice
• Social Work
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Political Science
• Counseling
• Other Related Field
• Unrelated Field
• N/A; No Degree

03

Which of the following best describes your verifiable full-time paid experience in a Criminal Justice setting? (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your applications employment history)

• Less than one (1) year
• One (1) year but less than two (2) years
• Two (2) years but less than three (3) years
• Three (3) years or more
• I do not have this experience

04

Which of the following best describes your verifiable volunteer experience in a Criminal Justice or Social Sciences setting? (To be considered, qualifying experience must be documented in your applications employment history)

• Less than two (2) years
• Two (2) years but less than three (3) years
• Three (3) years but less than four (4) years
• Four (4) years or more
• I do not have this experience

05

Do you have paid work experience in a criminal justice setting performing case management activities?

• Yes
• No

06

This role requires a Valid Drivers License (Texas upon hire) Do you have a Valid Drivers License?

• Yes, I have a Valid Texas Drivers License
• Yes, I have a Valid Drivers License but understand I must obtain a Valid Texas Drivers License prior to start date
• No, Im not interested

Required Question

Employer Harris County

Address 1111 Fannin St

Ste. 600

Houston, Texas, 77002

Phone 713-274-5445

Website https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/harriscountytx