Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Diversion Officer

🎯 Role Definition

A Diversion Officer leads community- and court-based diversion efforts designed to redirect eligible individuals away from traditional criminal justice processing into appropriate community treatment, supervision, or restorative programs. This role blends case-management, risk assessment, interagency coordination, and compliance monitoring to reduce recidivism, improve behavioral health outcomes, and ensure public safety. Successful Diversion Officers apply evidence-based practices (risk/needs screening, trauma-informed care, motivational interviewing), maintain strong relationships with prosecutors, defense attorneys, courts, and providers, and document measurable participant outcomes.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Probation Officer or Community Supervision Specialist
Mental Health or Substance Use Case Manager
Social Worker or Community Outreach Coordinator

Advancement To:

Diversion Program Manager / Supervisor
Pretrial Services Director / Coordinator
Restorative Justice Program Director
Policy Analyst or Criminal Justice Reform Specialist

Lateral Moves:

Court Liaison Specialist
Reentry Case Manager
Behavioral Health Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct comprehensive eligibility screenings and intake interviews for individuals referred to diversion programs, synthesizing arrest reports, charging documents, prior criminal history, and current behavioral health presentations to determine appropriateness for diversion.
Perform standardized risk and needs assessments (e.g., LSI-R, DASH, COMPAS, validated screening tools) and translate assessment results into individualized diversion plans that prioritize treatment, supervision levels, and evidence-based interventions.
Develop, negotiate, and document individualized diversion agreements—clearly articulating program expectations, conditions, required services, timelines, and sanctions—while ensuring voluntary informed consent and confidentiality protections.
Coordinate with prosecutors, public defenders, judges, probation departments, law enforcement, and treatment providers to facilitate timely referrals, obtain case dispositions, and ensure alignment between court orders and diversion plans.
Manage a caseload of participants by providing ongoing case management: scheduling appointments, monitoring compliance with program conditions, arranging substance use testing when required, and facilitating access to behavioral health, housing, employment, and education resources.
Provide crisis intervention and de-escalation services when participants experience acute behavioral health episodes, coordinating emergency services and ensuring participant and community safety.
Monitor participant compliance through routine check-ins, home visits, collateral contacts, and objective verification (drug screens, attendance records), documenting noncompliance and initiating graduated responses or sanctions as appropriate.
Facilitate referrals to community-based treatment services (mental health, substance use disorder treatment, trauma therapy), restorative justice programming, vocational training, and social services, and track linkage-to-care outcomes.
Maintain accurate, timely case records, court reports, statistical data, and program documentation using electronic case management systems; prepare required reports for prosecutors, courts, funders, and grantors.
Prepare and deliver court-ready reports, disposition recommendations, and testimony when required, clearly summarizing participant progress, compliance, risk factors, and recommendations for program completion or termination.
Implement and monitor evidence-based interventions—such as motivational interviewing, cognitive-behavioral techniques, and harm reduction strategies—and coordinate training for staff to ensure fidelity to best practices.
Collaborate in multi-disciplinary case staffing meetings and interagency workgroups to review complex cases, coordinate wraparound supports, and problem-solve barriers to participant engagement or program completion.
Track program performance metrics (recidivism rates, successful completions, service linkage rates), contribute to quality improvement initiatives, and assist in program evaluation and grant reporting to demonstrate outcomes and secure funding.
Supervise participant transitions back to community or reentry programs when diversion conditions are complete, ensuring continuity of care and connection to long-term supports that reduce risk of reoffending.
Identify systemic barriers to diversion—such as gaps in treatment capacity, transportation, or housing—and collaborate with leadership and community partners to design scalable solutions that expand program access.

Secondary Functions

Conduct outreach to community partners, treatment providers, and stakeholder groups to expand the diversion services network and ensure a continuum of care for participants.
Participate in training and professional development activities to maintain proficiency in risk assessment tools, trauma-informed care, cultural competency, and criminal justice policy changes that affect diversion eligibility and operations.
Assist in developing grant proposals, operational policies, standard operating procedures, and training curricula that support program growth and sustainability.
Oversee or support random drug/alcohol testing logistics, sample collection, chain-of-custody procedures, and documentation to support program integrity.
Act as a liaison during plea negotiations and diversion disposition discussions, providing data-driven recommendations to legal stakeholders that consider public safety and participant rehabilitation.
Support data collection, entry, and basic analysis to inform program modifications and to respond to information requests from supervisors, funders, and external evaluators.
Conduct home visits and collateral interviews with family members, employers, and service providers to corroborate participant reports and assess environmental supports and risks.
Ensure compliance with confidentiality rules, HIPAA and CJIS regulations, and organizational policies when sharing participant information across agencies.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficiency with electronic case management systems (e.g., CMS, Encompass, TAMMS, or equivalent) and accurate documentation best practices.
Experience administering validated risk/needs and mental health/substance use screening tools (e.g., LSI-R, COMPAS, ASAM, CAGE, AUDIT, PHQ-9, GAD-7).
Ability to prepare court reports, affidavits, and evidence-based recommendation memos for prosecutors and judges.
Knowledge of local criminal justice processes, diversion eligibility criteria, pretrial procedures, and relevant statutes/regulations.
Familiarity with drug/alcohol testing protocols, specimen handling, and chain-of-custody documentation.
Data literacy: ability to collect, track, and report program metrics, and to use spreadsheets or basic BI tools for performance dashboards.
Crisis intervention and de-escalation certification or demonstrated competence in safety planning and managing acute behavioral health incidents.
Case management skills including service referral, resource navigation, and coordination of multi-disciplinary care.
Basic grant reporting and documentation skills to support funding proposals and compliance deliverables.
Competence in trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices when working with diverse populations.

Soft Skills

Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to present clear, concise, and persuasive recommendations in court and stakeholder meetings.
High emotional intelligence and ability to engage participants empathetically while maintaining professional boundaries.
Negotiation and problem-solving skills to reconcile participant needs, legal requirements, and public safety considerations.
Time management and organizational skills for managing a complex caseload and competing deadlines.
Collaborative mindset and experience building partnerships across justice, health, and social service systems.
Resilience and stress tolerance when working with high-needs populations and exposure to traumatic content.
Ethical judgment, confidentiality, and integrity in handling sensitive client and case information.
Cultural humility and competency to work effectively across varied communities, languages, and socio-economic backgrounds.
Adaptability and initiative to drive program improvement and respond to policy or operational changes.
Attention to detail for accurate documentation, compliance, and reliable outcome measurement.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Associate degree in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Human Services, Psychology, or related field OR equivalent professional experience in justice/community services.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Social Work, Psychology, Public Administration, or related behavioral health field. Master’s degree preferred for supervisory or clinical liaison roles.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Criminal Justice
Social Work
Psychology
Human Services
Public Health / Behavioral Health
Substance Use Counseling

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2–5 years direct experience in case management, probation/pretrial services, community supervision, behavioral health, or diversion program work.

Preferred:

3+ years supervising caseloads in a criminal justice diversion, probation, pretrial, or community corrections setting, including experience with risk assessment tools, court report preparation, and interagency coordination.
Experience working with evidence-based interventions, community treatment providers, and performance reporting for grant-funded programs.