Juvenile Officer / Referee

Isabella County Trial Court has an opening for a Juvenile Officer / Referee.

General Summary:

The Isabella Trial Court has an opening for a Juvenile Officer/Court Referee. The ideal candidate will possess and be able to demonstrate knowledge of juvenile and child-protective experience, professionalism, and diplomatic assertiveness, ability to handle and mediate conflict, reformation mind set, common sense, as well as strong computer and leadership skills.

Essential Functions

1. Acts as referee for preliminary inquiries and hearings on delinquency, neglect and abuse cases. Presides over hearings involving status offenders, criminal offenses, and motor vehicle violations which includes taking pleas, conducts adjudication hearings and trials, determining the disposition of cases. Advises parties on the nature of the hearing, advises
children and parents of legal rights, swears witnesses, makes determinations and Findings, determines bonds and/or conditions for release from detention and determines and recommends the appropriate disposition.

2. Must be able to effectively comply with court time guidelines as established by statute or the State Court Administrative Office.

3. Following referee hearings, prepares reports with finding and recommendations for the review of the Judge regarding probation services, placement, foster care, and other
evaluation and services.

4. Assumes responsibility for the intake process which includes reviewing all written complaints including petitions, appearance tickets, and traffic violations. Assesses whether such petitions are appropriately filed and complete and determines the appropriate court action. Ensures that the charge on formal petitions meets the statutory criteria and that the police report shows probable cause.

5. Assists in establishing procedures for the proper care, custody and control of all youths under the Court's jurisdiction and oversees investigation and probation supervision.
Reviews court procedures, policies and operations and recommends modifications to the Judge as appropriate. Implements and enforces court policies and procedures.

6. Reviews the more complex matters with staff and assists in the proper application of laws, court rules and policies and assists in the handling of the more difficult and
sensitive case matters.

7. Facilitates out-of-home placements for delinquent youth, includes contacting agencies for bed space and approval, arranging transportation, and processing the required
documentation and intake information.

8. Manages the cases of adjudicated youth under State supervision by arranging physical examinations and psychological evaluations, reviewing quarterly reports from the State,
monitoring progress, and preparing reports and recommendations for the court. Conducts 180 day progress review hearings by meeting with the youth, family, attorney,
caseworkers and others to review the appropriateness of the placement, treatment goals and progress.

9. Monitors all child protective cases under the jurisdiction of the court, includes reviewing caseworkers reports and preparing recommendations to the court as to whether the
placement continues to be appropriate and other case issues.

10. Serves as a liaison with other courts, community organizations, law enforcement agencies, schools and others. Represents the Court on matters related to child welfare
programs.

11. Oversees the implementation of programs designed to prevent, intervene, divert, and control delinquent behavior and meet the changing needs of juveniles referred to the
Court.

12. Conducts adoption investigations as requested by the Court. Establishes and evaluates referral sources for the youths under court supervision.

13. Responds to inquiries and requests from clients, attorneys, agencies and others providing information about the Court and its policies, addressing concerns and addressing and
resolving complaints. Speaks to community groups regarding court services.

14. Conducts legal research and writes opinions for judges as instructed.

15. Required to be on-call 24 hours per day, 7 days per week for Probate and Juvenile matters.