Release Assistance Officer

Initial Posting Date:

06/27/2025

Application Deadline:

08/10/2025

Agency:

Judicial Department

Salary Range:

$5,126 - $7,953

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Release Assistance Officer

Job Description:

Interviews: Due to the high volume of applications we receive, it may take several weeks after the job posting deadline for us to schedule interviews.

Who We Are

Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) serves the public, and the people we serve may be facing challenging life circumstances, high levels of stress, or confusion about their next steps. The work you will do in this role affects members of our community who come to the court to have their cases resolved. We need people who want to impact their communities, value OJD's efforts to remove barriers to access justice services, and welcome interacting with the public.

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We consider relevant work, lived experience, and education, plus any transferable skills and abilities that may meet our qualifications or the skills and attributes we need for this position. We welcome all candidates who are inspired by our work and mission.

Benefits To You

• We pay 95% to 99% of medical insurance premiums for full-time employees, including mental health coverage.

• 10 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, 3 personal business days, separate sick and vacation paid leaves (prorated for part-time employees), and other employee benefits such as optional insurances and flexible spending plans.

• OJD will pay you a 5% allowance for bilingual skills (includes ASL) if you can pass a skills test and are assigned to use those skills on the job.

• In this job profile, we offer candidates new to OJD up to the third step of the salary range, depending on experience. You are potentially eligible for a 5% annual increase.

Location Highlights

Portland, Oregon, founded in 1845 and incorporated in 1851, is the state's largest city and the county seat for Multnomah County. It is named after Portland, Maine. It is situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. Recreational activities include numerous museums, parks (including Forest Park, the nation's largest wilderness park located within city limits), hiking, restaurants and food carts, Mt. Hood (about 50 miles east), and much more. The city is home to three major sports teams: the Portland Trail Blazers (NBA), the Portland Timbers (MLS), and the Portland Thorns FC (NWSL).

Schedule

This position is scheduled to work from 1:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday; however, the training schedule for the first three weeks is anticipated to be 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Position Highlights

The Multnomah County Circuit Court is hiring a Release Assistance Officer.

In this role, you will determine defendants' eligibility for court appointed counsel and options for pretrial release by applying Oregon laws, Chief Justice orders, and Presiding Judge orders and using risk assessment tools such as the Public Safety Assessment. You will determine who, upon release, is most likely to appear in court, is unlikely to commit new offenses, and does not pose a threat to the community or themselves. You will also monitor conditions of release and determine whether those conditions are being met.

Your work will focus on interviewing defendants being held in custody, pre-arraignment, as well as victims and other interested parties for purposes of determining risk and recommending release decisions. You will use internal law enforcement, jail, and court case management systems to research and complete risk assessments and determine release eligibility, then communicate that to defendants as part of the pretrial process. You may also be required to testify in court about your decisions and recommendations.

Additionally, you will perform administrative and computer work related to pretrial release and indigent verification. You will prepare new files, review court orders, and respond to questions from judges, court staff, and the public regarding pretrial release and court appointed counsel. The support you provide will be in person at the work counter, over the phone, and in writing. You will also coordinate with the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office, the Multnomah County Sheriff's office, the Department of Community Justice, and judicial officers to process probable cause affidavits and ensure that statutory and constitutional timeframes are met.

Assigned tasks may be changed to accommodate workload and organizational needs.

This position has been identified as providing essential services during an official closure due to hazardous environmental conditions or an inoperable facility. Based on this status, you may be required to report as normally scheduled, either remotely or on-site, during such an event.

Instructions for REQUIRED Cover Letter and Work History/Resume

Your cover letter and work history/resume should demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications, the Special Qualifications, and the Requested Skills and Attributes, which are listed below.

Cover Letter (REQUIRED)

• Attach your cover letter (not to exceed two pages) in the Resume/Cover Letter section of the application. Your cover letter and filename should include your name.

• In the body of your cover letter, please include responses to all Requested Skills and Attributes listed below.

• Address the cover letter "To the Hiring Manager."

• Do not use a generic cover letter; please personalize your cover letter for this position. We read every letter.

• Prepare your cover letter before starting your Workday application.

Work History/Resume (REQUIRED)

• Attach your updated resume in the Resume/Cover Letter section of the application. Your resume and filename should include your name.

OR

• Complete the Job History/Work Experience portion of your Workday profile if you are not using an updated resume.

Failure to follow these instructions may result in rejection of your application. All application materials will be evaluated for consistency of information, and your letter will be evaluated for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and language use in addition to demonstrated experience.

The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on the date listed above.

Minimum Qualifications

(These must be evident in your resume or work history.)

The qualified candidate must have a bachelor's degree in business or public administration, behavioral or social/human services, or a closely related field.

OR

Four (4) years of experience in criminal justice or a court environment.

OR

Any combination of education and experience equivalent to four (4) years of experience that typically supports the knowledge, skills, and abilities for the position.

Special Qualifications

(These must be verifiable.)

The qualified candidate must have Law Enforcement Data Systems (LEDS) certification or have the ability to obtain certification within six (6) months of hire. Eligibility requirements for obtaining LEDS certification are available here.

Requested Skills and Attributes

(These must be addressed in your cover letter.)

• Experience conducting interviews to obtain personal or financial information.

• Experience communicating calmly and effectively, orally and in writing, with people in traumatic, emotionally charged, or stressful situations.

• Experience communicating decisions regarding the approval or denial of benefits or services and the explanation of laws, rules, or regulations.

• Experience using a computer to access and input information and complete various tasks.

• Experience working in a court, criminal justice, corrections, or other legal environment is preferred.

Working Conditions

• This is a full-time position, and the work schedule is currently 1:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday. For the first three weeks, the training schedule will be 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. This position is considered an essential position, which requires staff to work during official court closures, including during inclement weather. This position is eligible for overtime compensation for hours worked in excess of 40 per workweek.

• Occasional overtime work may be required. This position requires the ability to work nights, weekends, holidays, and daytime shifts. The work shifts will be determined by the needs of the department and may be rotational.

• Frequent telephone, video, and in-person contact with people from diverse backgrounds.

• Frequent phone, video, and in-person contact with people who may be facing challenging life circumstances, highly stressful situations, or trauma, including people who may be hostile, abusive, or experiencing mental health issues and people who have been charged with violent/sexual offenses.

• Long periods of sitting or standing while working at a desk for up to 10 hours per day. Work is performed in an office environment and a jail setting.

• The following equipment may be used: telephone, OJD-assigned computer with multiple monitors, photocopier, printer, and other standard office equipment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Parking

Multnomah County Circuit Court does not provide parking for the central courthouse or justice center staff. Multnomah does offer a Rideshare Rewards program that will provide $50/month for eligible employees. To be eligible, you must spend $50 or more per month on one of the following for working at the courthouse or justice center: TriMet (public transportation), Pay to Park (street or garage), or carpool (share cost of parking). Another option is the Douglas Garage at 1835 S River Dr., Portland, OR 97204; parking costs $180/month and is a half mile from the courthouse and justice center.

Criminal Background Check

Finalists for this position will be subject to an extensive background investigation. The successful candidate must meet all applicable background and criminal history checks and be of good moral character. Moral character is defined as possessing the attributes of empathy, courage, fortitude, honesty, loyalty, and additional virtues deemed to be morally good.

Adverse results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may result in disqualification if the circumstances are directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Reference Checks

By submitting your application to OJD, you consent to reference checks about your qualifications, your workplace performance, and your work product.

United States Employment Eligibility

OJD does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. OJD will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

Future Vacancies

Apply now if you are interested in this or future vacancies. This job announcement may be used to fill future vacancies in this class of work.

Veterans' Preference

Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given preference in the recruitment process. To receive preference, veterans must attach the appropriate documentation after they receive an email in their Workday inbox requesting the information to verify eligibility. The action item, asking veterans to attach their documentation, will arrive after they have submitted their initial application materials. Visit the Oregon job opportunities Veterans web page for additional details, information, and resources.

Conduct Expectations

Because of OJD's role in providing justice and upholding the rule of law, employees of the department are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job, and also to maintain those same high standards when taking actions in their personal lives that could reflect on the department. As an employee, you will be expected to preserve the confidentiality of information received in the course of OJD employment.

Pay Equity

As an employer, OJD complies with Oregon's pay equity law. In this job profile, we offer candidates new to OJD up to the third step of the salary range, depending on experience. For more information on pay equity, click here.

Employee Benefits

Click here to access information specific to OJD employee benefits.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

OJD is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. To learn more about this program, and how to qualify, please click here.

Questions and Support

• If you require an alternate format to complete the application process, call 503-986-5930, or TTY: Oregon Relay Service 711 for the hearing impaired. Be prepared to describe the alternate format needed.

• Workday related information and resources are available here.

• For questions about a specific OJD job posting, call 503-986-5930 or email ojd.hrsd@ojd.state.or.us.

The Oregon Judicial Department embraces equal opportunity and affirmative action. We are committed to building a diverse team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.