State of Maryland

An Alternative Sentencing Case Manager is the full performance level work in developing, recommending and monitoring sentencing plans intended to rehabilitate persons charged with or convicted of criminal offenses as alternatives to further prosecution or incarceration.  Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions, but do provide intensive supervision to defendants prior to and after alternative sentencing is imposed.            

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from the Director of the Alternative Sentencing Unit or from other administrators in the Pretrial Detention and Services Division.  Employees may be required to work evenings and weekends and are subject to call-in 24 hours a day.  The work is conducted at various locations to include detention and correctional facilities, private residences, places of employment, law enforcement agencies and rehabilitation facilities.  

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work Sections of a class specification.

Develops, recommends and monitors sentencing plans intended to rehabilitate persons charges with or convicted of criminal offenses as alternatives to incarceration or further prosecution;

Interviews defendants referred to the alternative sentencing program and explains the rules and requirements of community supervision pending final court disposition;

Counsels defendants concerning personal problems such as: substance abuse, job skills, and economic circumstances in order to assess areas of need and determine appropriate rehabilitative services;

Obtains and verifies information regarding defendants’ personal background and criminal history such as: place and length of residence, living conditions, employment status, work history, educational and family background, records of prior offenses, history of substance abuse, and medical problems;

Interviews relatives, employers, and other associated parties, such as witnesses and victims, to obtain information pertinent to determining the defendant’s eligibility and potential success in the alternative sentencing program;

Investigates proposed plan for residence and employment of defendants and assists them to effect positive changes such as finding other residence, employment and social affiliations;

Researches and visits public and private service agencies such as: drug/alcohol rehabilitation programs, educational and vocational training programs, and other community resources to develop defendants’ alternative sentencing plans;

Evaluates information obtained by the investigation to determine defendants’ eligibility and appropriateness for the alternative sentencing program;

Determines the classification level of supervision warranted in the community and determine appropriate conditions of supervision for defendants in the alternative sentencing program;

Prepares contracts which stipulates the conditions with which the defendants must comply under the alternative sentencing program and submits for judicial approval;

Enrolls defendants in appropriate service of rehabilitative programs such as medical assistance, substance abuse treatment, hospitals, vocational training, shelters, and organizations for specialty groups such as senior citizens;

Conducts field visitations to defendant’s residence, place of employment, and community service and rehabilitative facilities to monitor defendant’s attendance, participation and progress;

Monitors the activities of defendants during the thirty to sixty day period before final court disposition to determine defendants’ compliance with the conditions set forth in the initial alternative sentencing contracts;

Participates in pleas negotiations by presenting the defendant’s signed contract, advising on the defendant’s compliance with the contract and recommending specific sentencing conditions;

Testifies in court proceedings regarding specific alternative sentencing contractual conditions and sentencing recommendations;

Recommends, and upon judicial approval, implements actions to modify alternative sentencing contractual conditions due to the defendant’s violation of alternative sentencing rules and requirements and court ordered contractual conditions;

Prepares and maintains reports, case records, and progress summaries;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of the criminal justice system;

Knowledge of criminal court practices and procedures;

Knowledge of social and anti-social patterns of behavior;

Knowledge of services offered by public and private facilities in the areas of substance abuse, health and welfare, employment, educational and vocational training;

Skill in the application of investigative techniques;

Skill in obtaining and recording factual information and analyzing the data gathered;

Skill in the application of interviewing and counseling techniques;

Skill in the application of public safety risk assessment criteria;

Skill in recognizing signs of alcohol, drug and physical abuse;

Skill in communicating effectively with defendants, courtroom personnel, attorneys, law enforcement officials, and staff from public and private service agencies;

Ability to assess defendants’ areas of need and determine appropriate rehabilitative services;

Ability to testify in court proceedings;

Ability to prepare and maintain complete and accurate case reports and records;

Ability to maintain confidentiality of case material.

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Two years of experience investigating, monitoring, supervising or counseling persons charged with or convicted of criminal offenses.

Notes:

1. Additional experience as stated above may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Thirty semester credits from an accredited college or university which includes twelve credits in criminal justice or law enforcement may be substituted for one year of the required experience.

1. Employees are subject to call 24 hours a day and, therefore, will be required to provide the employing agency with a telephone number where they can be contacted.

2. Employees in this classification are subject to substance abuse testing in accordance with Code of Maryland Regulations 06.01.09, Testing for Illegal Use of Drugs.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.  

This classification is assigned to Bargaining Unit H, Public Safety and Security classes. As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial, and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Employees in this classification are eligible to receive overtime compensation. An employee who works more than the normal workweek is entitled to be compensated for that overtime as provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 8-305.