Marshall County Prosecutor Nelson Chipman will be looking to hire a Pre-trial Diversion Officer.
Prosecutor Chipman went before the Marshall County Council Monday night to ask to apply for a grant to pay for the position. The state has already approved the grant as the county has received it in the past, but an application is needed to complete the process. The position will be available July 1.
Chipman said that the state envisions the Pre-Trial Diversion Officer to oversee programs for lower felony level offenders and low-risk repeat offenders. The programs give these particular offenders a last chance to turn their situation around and cut the cycle of behavior. The prosecutor will decide which existing program to assign the offender and the Pre-Trial Diversion Officer will assist Community Corrections as part of this process. The officer will then directly report to the prosecutor concerning the status of the offenders and programs.
Prosecutor Chipman hopes to manage the program.
Chipman said that the salaried position would be fully grant funded for $38,000 plus benefits for a total $59,300. The grant will be a long-lasting grant, but if for some reason the grant is no longer available the position will dissolve as it will not be funded by the county. He explained that the position would not be an entry level position. A bachelor’s degree will be required as well as an enthusiasm to work in this type of corrections position.
A job description will be approved by the county council in July as documents pertaining to this position have not been reviewed by the personnel committee.
The county council unanimously approved the prosecutor’s request to apply for the grant.
