Investigator

About the position

The Office of Statewide Pretrial Services (OSPS) is a statewide office dedicated to providing pretrial services under the Pretrial Services Act, 725 ILCS 185. The mission of the OSPS is to assist in the administration of justice and promote community safety by ensuring fairness and equality in the pretrial process. The Investigator plays a crucial role in this mission by conducting thorough background investigations and compiling criminal history reports that are essential for the courts. This position operates under the general supervision of the Investigations Supervisor within the Division of Centralized Operations. The Investigator is responsible for preparing pretrial investigation reports and supervising individuals released from custody as directed by the court. The Investigator's essential duties include accessing LEADS and other criminal databases to identify the prior criminal history of defendants. They are tasked with entering this criminal history information into the OSPS case management system, ensuring that all data is complete and accurate. This includes entering information that may not have been available at the time of the initial investigation, such as the SID number, DCN number, case number, and dispositions. Additionally, the Investigator reviews pretrial assessments based on the compiled criminal history data and performs periodic criminal history checks of defendants who have been released from custody pretrial. They also respond to inquiries regarding pretrial operations, including the status of pending court cases and conditions of pretrial release, while maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of pretrial services and related criminal justice issues. The position requires a commitment to performing other duties as assigned, contributing to the overall effectiveness of the OSPS in its mission to support the judicial process and community safety.

Responsibilities

• Conduct background investigations and compile criminal history reports.
• Access LEADS and other criminal databases to identify prior criminal history of defendants.
• Enter criminal history information into OSPS case management system.
• Ensure criminal history data entered is complete and accurate.
• Review pretrial assessments based on criminal history data.
• Perform periodic criminal history checks of defendants released from custody pretrial.
• Respond to internal and external inquiries regarding pretrial operations.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of pretrial services and related criminal justice issues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• An Associate's Degree or an equivalent combination of relevant education, training, and/or experience.
• Ability to be LEADS certified.
• A valid Illinois Driver's License and proof of automobile insurance.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office products (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Nice-to-haves

• A Bachelor's Degree.
• Two years of data entry or clerical experience.
• Two years of experience utilizing criminal justice databases or information systems such as LEADS, Judici, or criminal or judicial data management systems.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance