PreTrial Services Agency Competencies

PSO: Court Services

PSO: Court Services

2

Technical Competencies

Knowledge of Court Services Diagnostic Function

Results Oriented Competencies

Initiative

Professionalism Competencies

Adaptability

Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal Competencies

Teamwork

Customer Service Orientation

Conscientiousness

Planning and Organizing

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Communication

System and Regulatory Knowledge

PSA Organizational Knowledge  --Fundamental Knowledge of Mental Health Conditions  --Fundamental Knowledge of HISP Program

Computer Proficiency

Knowledge of Court Services Diagnostic Function

Conducts criminal background investigations and analyzes data at the level necessary for a given situation.

Has an understanding of protocol and procedures for researching relevant background information and providing documentation regarding the least restrictive recommendations for release conditions.

Understands and can explain details of relevant programs and release conditions and circumstances in which each should or should not be applied (e.g., depending on charges, detention holds, repeat offenses).

Knows differences in procedures for relevant District, Superior and Traffic courts as well as unique types of cases (e.g., sealed cases).

Knows and applies the Agency’s Risk Assessment Protocol.

Knows supervision procedures and protocols within PSA necessary to process defendants, including how to make a determination of whether a defendant is in compliance with conditions of release.

Understands relevant information technology systems used to conduct investigations.

Understands laws and statutes related to detention eligibility.

System and Regulatory Knowledge

Exhibits an understanding of relevant aspects of DC Superior Court and/or US District Court system operations, structure, and/or processes. 

Understands the relevant operations of local surrounding law enforcement agencies and/or judicial systems (e.g., those relevant to a specific job such as Metropolitan Police Department, Virginia law enforcement, Probation and Parole, U.S. Capital Police, U.S. Park Police, U.S. Marshal Service, other pretrial agencies) in order to obtain and share information related to supervision, treatment, drug testing, and/or monitoring of defendants.

Displays an understanding of federal, state, district, and agency policies, regulations, and laws regarding the safekeeping and release of the Agency’s information (e.g., personally identifiable information (PII), FOIA, treatment information, mental health information, etc.). 

Understands and follows federal records management laws. 

District of Columbia Pretrial Services Agency (PSA) Organizational Knowledge

Understands and is able to communicate the vision, mission, and strategy of the PSA and how one’s work aligns with and integrates with other PSA programs and services. 

Has an understanding of how and why the PSA was established, including District of Columbia Superior Court and US District Court bail laws (e.g., The Bail Reform Act).

Understands PSA’s various offices, programs, structure, and functions, and utilizes this knowledge to obtain information, or make suggestions, recommendations, or decisions. 

Additional Specific Program or Technical Area Knowledge 

Choose those that apply to this person’s area of responsibility:

Computer Proficiency

Utilizes Microsoft Office tools (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) required to perform job duties such as writing reports and letters, creating and updating logs, or producing presentations when necessary.   

Performs basic computer operations (e.g., accessing drives).

Maintains a knowledge of, accesses and uses relevant systems needed to perform job duties (e.g., PRISM, Courtview, JACCS, SMART, PACER, e-Agent, WALES, outside agency websites, NCIC, RMS, JUSTIS, G4S, OMNIlink, Accucare; DTMS, Track-it).   

Interpersonal Skills

Fosters relationships; builds rapport with others from various demographic backgrounds (e.g., educational, socioeconomic, racial, etc.) and individuals who have varying personal histories and personalities. 

Shows sensitivity to others’ needs, opinions, background, circumstances, and concerns.

Maintains appropriate objectivity in situations.

Resolves conflicts or disagreements in a constructive way. 

Demonstrates an appreciation for differences in perspectives and opinions.

Teamwork

Develops and maintains positive and professional working relationships with coworkers. 

Collaborates, supports, and cooperates with others to accomplish Unit and Agency goals. 

Readily shares relevant information, knowledge, and ideas with team members when appropriate.   

Ensures others are kept informed when necessary and involves the appropriate individuals in key decisions when needed.   

Follows through with commitments to the team and can be relied upon to complete own responsibilities

Customer Service Orientation

Is helpful and responsive to relevant internal (e.g., individuals who call the office, other Agency staff) and/or external (e.g., outside agency personnel, defendants) customers or stakeholders.

Solicits and/or incorporates internal and external customer feedback if appropriate. 

Demonstrates sound judgment within established guidelines to resolve customer-related problems.

Treats customers courteously and attempts to respond to their needs in a timely manner.  

Builds relationships with other agencies and partners and uses these resources efficiently and effectively to achieve objectives.  

Shares information with other agencies when appropriate and responds promptly, thoughtfully and thoroughly to other agencies’ requests or needs.

Initiative

Takes appropriate levels of independent action to identify opportunities, solve problems, and/or complete work.  

Provides feedback on procedures and offers suggestions and ideas for change. 

Seeks assistance when encountering difficult situations and asks for help at appropriate times.

Shows perseverance in achieving objectives; stays focused and persistent and remains committed to objectives despite obstacles.

Maintains a positive outlook and stays motivated when dealing with difficult individuals/situations or when things do not go as planned or recommended.

Conscientiousness

Makes and honors commitments; follows through consistently.

Attends to important details.

Stays on top of activities to ensure appropriate and timely follow through.

Produces work that meets Unit objectives, Agency standards, and/or customer expectations.

Follows policies, procedures, guidelines, rules and regulations, including Management Instructions or directives and safety procedures and protocols.

Recognizes situations that may require flexibility or a modification of an existing procedure, and seeks approval for changes at the appropriate times. 

Planning and Organizing

Collects, organizes, and manages records or files efficiently, completely, and promptly. 

Effectively and efficiently utilizes the time available within the standard workday to organize, prioritize and accomplish day-to-day job duties.

Prioritizes work appropriately according to task urgency and importance and reprioritizes tasks as necessary. 

Balances multiple priorities and assignments simultaneously.  

Ensures individual activities receive appropriate attention to quality/timeliness when completing multiple tasks at the same time.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Exercises sound judgment across situations, integrating information and assessing relevant input and data to respond to questions and make appropriate decisions based on available information. 

Considers potential consequences of a course of action prior to making a decision.  

Seeks input or approval from others when necessary. 

Collects relevant data, asks probing questions, and secures additional information in order to understand a problem or situation. 

Generates viable solutions to problems. 

Adaptability

Continually develops relevant Agency and/or professional knowledge and skill.  

Listens to and learns from constructive feedback from others.  

Demonstrates openness and willingness to apply new ways of performing tasks to enhance productivity.  

Adapts approach and/or demeanor to varying work situations and individuals.

Shows a calm and composed demeanor in stressful, challenging, threatening, or difficult situations. 

Keeps situations and relationships professional and objective. 

Deals constructively with demanding schedules, workloads, and pressures.

Communication

Speaks clearly and concisely conveying information effectively in both group and one-on-one situations.  

Adjusts communication style and approach as necessary based on the audience’s non-verbal cues, level of expertise, understanding, or perspective. 

Simplifies complex information so that others clearly understand key messages.  

Listens openly, attentively, and patiently.  

Applies appropriate communication strategies with each individual and situation to motivate commitment or influence outcomes when needed.

Writes clearly and concisely.  Written communications utilize correct grammar, sentence structure and spelling, and are generally free of errors.  

Adjusts writing style based on the type of document being produced or the audience receiving information.   

Accurately interprets written information and understands words, language, acronyms and/or terminology associated with internal and external Agencies with whom he/she interacts (e.g., mental health, substance abuse, criminal justice, court system, social services, presentence investigations, Parole and Probation, relevant community organizations). 

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