Caseworker - FOC

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Enforcement Services Manager, or Investigative Unit Manager, as applicable, conducts investigations and makes recommendations to the court regarding the establishment of custody, support, and parenting time arrangements and/or reviews and analyzes domestic relations cases for the purpose of enforcing support, parenting time, and custody orders, and/or locates, apprehends, transports and arraigns individuals in contempt of court or detained by bench warrants.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Caseworkers may be assigned investigative duties, enforcement duties, apprehension duties or any combination, as deemed appropriate by their supervisor.

Caseworker assigned investigative duties:

• Investigates complaints, determines validity of claims, gathers and analyzes investigative information, and prepares a report with recommendations regarding custody, support, and parenting time issues for the court.
• Provides testimony as needed regarding custody, support, and parenting time recommendations.
• Conducts informal meetings with parties regarding custody, support, and/or parenting time disputes, make up parenting time, and clarification of parenting time orders; attempts to voluntarily resolve parenting time issues and completes necessary paperwork. Refers parties for formal mediation as necessary.
• Communicates with parties, children, schools, representatives from law enforcement, social, and protective services agencies to obtain information from which to develop reports and recommendations.
• Appears in court to present case information to the court when an order to show cause is issued. Assists the court by preparing court orders, petitions for bench warrants, or other documentation as necessary.

• Initiates enforcement of court ordered support, parenting time, custody and medical insurance coverage: verifies employment status and income information, initiates show cause and income withholding orders, prepares ex parte orders, petitions for bench warrants, and recalls bench warrants.
• Reviews accounts, verifies payments and alleged order violations, sends arrearage notices.
• Testifies in referee and court hearings regarding facts of case and recommendations, ensures that proper documentation is contained in case file in preparation of court hearings.
• Responds to inquiries from, and communications with, parties, FIA staff, school personnel, law enforcement agencies and others explaining Friend of the Court policies and procedures, providing and obtaining case related information, and discussing party problems.
• Prepares and maintains required court records, reports, and logs of appointments with parties, party contacts, case related correspondence and other relevant case interactions.
• Coordinates the enforcement of RURESA, UIFSA, and interstate income withholding cases. Provides domestic relations case information to other jurisdictions and requests enforcement of orders; assists other jurisdictions by initiating enforcement of orders entered in those jurisdictions.

• Arraigns prisoners before the court by means of physical appearance, or utilizing secure courtroom video technology.
• Serves as armed escort of prisoners in court and while transporting to and from jail; responsible for custody of prisoners during court proceedings.
• Maintains computer database for bench warrant caseload.
• Provides security for staff in potentially hostile situations, assists uniformed deputies with building and other security matters as indicated.
• Locates, arrests and transports individuals cited on domestic relations bench warrants, ensures that persons taken into custody are accorded their rights under the law. Receives and receipts cash bonds as necessary.
• Establishes and maintains effective communications with various police agencies, informants, probation staff and others; cultivates potential sources of information on individuals named on bench warrants.
• Locates designated persons and serves summons, subpoenas, writs and other legal documents.
• Arrests and transports persons wanted by other jurisdictions as directed.

Qualifications

Education: Bachelor degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, psychology, or other related social science field of study.

Experience: Three to six months experience, including past experience in related jobs, internships and/or on-the-job training in this position. One or more years of experience in a Friend of the Court office or other related agency is desirable

Certification or Licensure: Caseworker - Certification by Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards as a law enforcement officer and be qualified to be appointed a full authority deputy sheriff for Calhoun County, and be designated as a court officer by the Chief Circuit Court Judge.

Calhoun County's benefits package offers flexibility, choice, and value. It is an attractive component of our employees total compensation package. At Calhoun County, we know that good benefit plans are important to employees and their families. We're committed to providing employees with access to a wide range of information and tools so they can stay informed and make the most of their Calhoun County flexible benefit package.

What benefits does Calhoun County offer its full-time employees?

Medical: Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan with 3 Different Flexible Benefit Plan Options
Dental: 100% Employer Paid through Delta Dental
Vision: 100% Employer Paid through BCBSM Vision Services Plan (VSP)
Employee Health & Wellness Center (Premise Health): Most Services 100% Employer Paid
Life Insurance: 100% Employer Paid for Basic Life & AD&D
Short Term Disability: 100% Employer Paid for 67% Wage Loss Benefits up to 26 Weeks
Retirement: Employer 401(k) Match Program Up to 7% of Employee Contribution
Employee Assistance Program (EAP): 100% Employer Paid Through Bronson HelpNet
Benefit Guide: Find detailed information about the benefits package (Download PDF reader)

• Start through fourth years – 168 Hours (4.2 weeks based on 40-hour work week)
• Fifth through ninth years – 208 Hours (5.2 weeks)
• Tenth through fourteenth years – 248 Hours (6.2 weeks)
• Fifteen and Subsequent years – 288 Hours (7.2 weeks)

Amounts & distribution may vary slightly by union contract, policy, and/or defined work week

Paid Holidays: 14 Paid Holidays Throughout the Year

Additional Voluntary Benefits:
Flexible Scheduling & Telecommuting Options Depending on Position & Department
Term Life Insurance (above Employer Paid Plan)
Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
Long Term Disability Wage Loss Benefits
Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
Employee Wellness Program
Perks Program (discounts at local merchants for being a County employee)

Part-time Employees may elect insurance, provided the Employee pays the full cost of the premium through payroll deduction.