U.S. Pretrial Office Internship Program

 I.         The purpose of providing students with an internship in Pretrial Services is to contribute to their education and broaden the agency’s commitment to community involvement. Field placement offers students an opportunity to participate, without financial remuneration, in a practical learning experience relevant to classroom assignments. Under the supervision of a U. S. Pretrial Services Officer (PSO), students participate in activities which enable them to relate classroom theory to actual practice.

 The office will seek highly motivated and astute applicants for this program. We anticipate drawing candidates from those who have contemplated entering a career in the criminal justice system.

 II.        Definitions and Duties of the Program Administrators

             A.        Training Coordinator

The student intern program will be administered by the Training Coordinator who, under the direction of the Chief Pretrial Services Officer (CPSO), shall:

                         1.         Assume responsibility of the student intern program for the entire district;

                        2.         Coordinate the activities of the student intern program and ensure the intern program is in compliance with national and local policies;

                        3.         Serve as the primary liaison between the participating colleges and universities in recruitment and evaluation of the intern program;

                        4.         Approve all intern evaluations in consultation with the PSO sponsor and supervisor;

                        5.         Provide the CPSO reports on the intern program as may be required;

                        6.         Maintain the applications for the student intern program and provide recommendations to the CPSO for selection of eligible candidates;

                        7.         Assist in the recruitment of interns in each division;

                        8.         Assist in the evaluation of the intern program and making recommendations and modifications.

             B.        U. S. Pretrial Services Officer Sponsor

                        1.         This employee will be involved in the day to day activities of the student intern and will be the primary point of contact of the student intern for the duration of the internship. Responsibilities will include:

                                    a.         Providing day to day oversight of the division intern program in consultation with the supervising pretrial services officer (PSO).

                                    b.         Participating in evaluation of the student interns both internally and through the college or university in order to establish the students grade;

                                    c.         Coordinating the activities of the intern in cooperation with the office Supervising Pretrial Services Officer;

                                    d.         Serving as guide, mentor and teacher of the intern;

                                    e.         Keeping informed of the activities and whereabouts of the intern;

                                    f.         Serving as liaison with the college or university and the Training Coordinator.

 III.       Qualifications for Appointment of Student Intern

             A.        The agency would prefer students to be juniors, seniors, or graduate level students with good class standing;

             B.        Candidates must be majoring in a field of academic study such as criminal justice, criminology, psychology, sociology, human relations, business, or public administration.

             C.        Candidates are expected to be without a criminal record.

             D.        Candidates are expected to be in sufficiently good health to be able to perform assigned duties.

 IV.      Application and Selection Process

In an effort to obtain mature students who are sincerely interested in criminal justice, the following procedures have been developed for the selection process. It is anticipated the procedures will facilitate the placement of students who will take advantage of the internship opportunity and provide an experience mutually beneficial to the student and the agency.

            A.        Interested students are requested to forward to the Chief Pretrial Services Officer:

                        1.         A letter of interest;

                        2.         A resume;

                        3.         An employment application;

                        4.         Letter affirming qualification for internship from the appropriate faculty representative of the college or university;

                        5.         A school paper on any subject to be used to assess communication skills;

                        6.         A copy of graduate and/or undergraduate transcripts.

             B.        The above materials are to be mailed to:

                                                Jeffrey L. Burkholder
                                                Chief Pretrial Services Officer
                                                Charles Evans Whittaker Courthouse
                                                400 E. 9^th Street, Room 4210
                                                Kansas City, Missouri 64106

                        ATTN:            Van Hecke
                                                Training Coordinator

            C.        Candidates who appear to meet the district’s requirements will be interviewed. The interviewing panel will consist of the Chief Pretrial Services Officer or designee, the Pretrial Officer Sponsor and the Supervising Pretrial Services Officer.

V.        Conditions of Appointment

Candidates selected for an internship will be required to sign the ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF GRATUITOUS SERVICE AND WAIVER form contained in the Guide to Judiciary Policies and Procedures Manual. This form is a waiver of compensation and a waiver of copyright privileges. The form is also an agreement to preserve confidential information.

Following an interview, selected candidates will undergo a background investigation conducted by a PSO. The investigation will include a minimum of :

            A.        A national and local criminal history records check;

            B.        Previous employment verification;

            C.        Inquiry with personal references;

            D.        Proof of a valid driver’s license; and

            E.        Proof of automobile liability insurance.

Candidates will also be requested to sign a waiver to submit to urinalysis before acceptance and as requested during the internship.

VI.      Student Responsibilities

            A.        Students are expected to comply with the administrative policies of the agency throughout the duration of the internship.

            B.        Students are required to follow the guidelines concerning confidentiality as issued under the authority of 18 U. S. C. § 3153(c)(2).

            C.        Students are expected to adhere to the Code of Conduct adopted by the Judicial Conference of the United States.

            D.        All written communications concerning court related activities prepared by the students must be approved by a PSO or SPSO.

            E.        A written chronological history of all contacts with defendants must be maintained by the student.

            F.        Students should report to the field placement on the days assigned. In the event of sickness or other emergencies, the Pretrial Services Officer Sponsor should be notified as soon as possible.

            G.        Students are urged to attend all general staff meetings when possible.

            H.        Students experiencing problems or concerns regarding the intern program should address the issues with the Training Coordinator.

            I.          Completion of all written assignments required by the college or university will be discussed and reviewed by the CPSO or designee prior to submission to the college or university.

            J.         Students shall serve without compensation from the agency except that reimbursement may be made for certain expenses associated with authorized travel.

VII.     Responsibility of Pretrial Services

            A.        The Training Coordinator will maintain overall responsibility for the supervision of the internship program.

            B.        A U.S. Pretrial Services Officer sponsor will be designated for each intern. The sponsor will remain the same throughout the internship period. The sponsor will perform the functions as described elsewhere in this policy.

            C.        The Training Coordinator in consultation with the CPSO, and SPSO in each office will develop and provide an initial orientation and structured training program for the student. Instruction will include briefings and discussions with management personnel, training officers, supervisors, and line officers.

            D.        Arrangements will be made by the SPSO in each office for the students to be afforded office and/or desk space, supplies, equipment and support services.

            E.        Upon request, of the participating college or university, representatives of the agency will be available for consultation, presentations, career day and other related activities held on campuses located in the Western District of Missouri and surrounding areas.

            F.        Every effort will be made by the agency to meet the student’s needs in successfully completing the internship experience.

           G.        Upon request of the participating college or university, the Training Coordinator will prepare and forward evaluations of the student’s progress.

VIII.    Responsibilities of the Participating College/University

            A.        The participating college or university should ensure student applicants are emotionally mature, genuinely motivated, and committed to completing an internship with Pretrial Services.

            B.        The participating college or university will provide a copy of the school’s requirements for the internship. 

IX.      Nature of Duties Assigned to Interns

            A.        Interns will:

                        1.         Assist officers in the performance of duties generally required of U.S. Pretrial Services Officers under the direction, guidance and supervision of the Pretrial Services Officer Sponsor and a Supervising Pretrial Services Officer;

                        2.         Adhere to agency policies and procedures and to rules governing professional behavior;

                         3.         Assume full responsibility for actions and activities;

                         4.         Refrain from personal relationships with defendants;

                         5.         Report promptly at the time and place designated by the agency;

                         6.         Conduct criminal history inquiries with local law enforcement agencies;

                         7.         Verify vital statistics (i.e. marriages and divorces);

                         8.         Contact state and local probation/pretrial officers on behalf of the U.S. Pretrial Services Officers;

                         9.         Conduct collateral investigations under the direction of a U.S. Pretrial Services Officer;

                         10.       Perform miscellaneous work as directed.

             B.        Interns will not:

                         1.         Carry or possess firearms or CapStun devices while performing duties as an intern.

                         2.         Drive Government vehicles;

                         3.         Sign any document relating to any function of this agency without an approving signature of a U. S. Pretrial Services Officer.