Hsng Court Specialist

Work Hours: Monday - Friday

8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. or as assigned or required

JOB PURPOSE AND OVERVIEW Under the supervision of the Chief Housing Court Specialist, the Housing Court Specialist will be trained to assist constituents with landlord-tenant-related issues. Housing Specialists are Ohio Supreme Court-trained

 and certified court mediators who assist in third-party/neutral conflict resolution. In addition, the Housing Court Specialist will be trained as a certified community control officer for the Court’s criminal docket and will be expected to manage an assigned caseload meant to ensure individuals comply with court orders regarding property maintenance, state, and local laws regarding properties owned in the City of Cleveland and Bratenahl. 

regarding properties owned in the City of Cleveland and Bratenahl. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POSITION The following duties indicate the general nature and level of work performed by the Housing Court Specialist.  They are not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of this position.  Other duties may be required or assigned at any time by the Judge or Chief Housing Court Specialist.  

1. Communicate to tenants, landlords and interested parties the rights, duties and responsibilities of Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321, the Landlord-Tenant Act.
2. Provide procedural assistance to interested parties, including use of proper forms for pleadings, motions, rent deposits, and complaints.
3. Provide assistance in the restoration of utilities, when service is improperly terminated due to illegal actions performed by either a landlord or tenant.
4. Conduct mediations and assist with Rent-Deposit hearings.
5. Perform Presentence Investigations, status updates, and provide professional recommendations and testimony to the Court as a part of case management. 
6. Administers alternative sentencing programs to supplement traditional penalties. Community service, for example, can serve as an alternative to incarceration and/or payment of fines in appropriate cases.

1. Enforce the Court’s orders and supervise offenders placed in Community Control.
2. Conduct regular field visits to provide reports on conditions of properties before the courts.
3. Document all offender supervision in the electronic case management system.
4. Answer and return telephone calls from the public regarding property issues, and landlord/tenant relations.
5. Communicate with all parties and agencies involved in the code compliance process including City Council Members, local community development corporations, block clubs, inspectors and neighborhood representatives.
6. Attend and participate in neighborhood or agency meetings and explain the workings and proceedings of the Housing Court
7. Ability to provide education and give examples in proper property management and screening procedures for interested landlords.
8. Provide outreach, resources, intake and assessment of clients to determine client needs and provide referral services.
9. Maintain continuing-education hours in accordance with department policies.
10. Complete extensive training administered by the Ohio Supreme that includes mediation and mandatory probation officer coursework, as well as, annual professional development requirements.  
11. Perform other duties as assigned.
     

 

QUALIFICATIONS Applicant must have a combination of education, experience, skills, and personal characteristics that demonstrate the applicant’s ability to perform the duties of the position.  Minimum qualifications and requirements are: 

1. A bachelor’s degree or higher with a preference for a degree in urban planning, criminal justice, or related fields. Experience in residential and commercial code enforcement may be substituted for the degree requirement.
2. Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, outreach, and public speaking.
3. Ability to multitask indirect and direct tasks daily to include skilled and concise documentation.
4. Some experience working in a court environment and/or government-related entity.
5. Ability to effectively and professionally communicate verbally and in written English on record during hearings. 
6. Knowledge of municipal laws, codes, and ordinances that pertain to the maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of dwelling units and commercial buildings;
7. Knowledge of federal, state and municipal laws, codes and ordinances that pertain to landlord/tenant issues;
8. Flexibility to respond to varying time demands of work schedule (e.g., field inspections, mediations and meetings to attend outside regular work hours);
9. Knowledge of common office practices, procedures, and equipment.
10. Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office and other common business software applications.
11. Valid Ohio driver’s license, car insurance, and a vehicle to conduct field visits.

 
 The qualifications and requirements listed above are guidelines for selection purposes. Alternative qualifications may be substituted if considered by the Court to be sufficient to demonstrate the ability to perform the essential duties of the position.
 

COURT EXPECTATIONS OF EMPLOYEE The Court expects all members of its staff to adhere to all Court policies, guidelines, practices and procedures; act as a role model both inside and outside the Court; perform duties as workload necessitates in a timely, accurate and thorough manner; be conscientious about meeting department productivity standards; and communicate regularly with supervisor about department issues.  Additional requirements for employment with the Court include the following. 

1. Ability to effectively communicate with the public, governmental agencies, attorneys and court staff in a professional manner.
2. Possess good conflict resolution, problem solving, mediation, and presentation skills.
3. Ability to prioritize work, and work independently on assigned cases. Must have good time-management skills and be highly organized and detail-oriented.
4. Must be conscious of and sensitive to the diversity within the Court’s jurisdiction and be able to interact professionally with a diverse population of people from many different geographic, socioeconomic, religious, racial, and ethnic backgrounds on a regular basis.
5. Professional appearance and demeanor appropriate for the position and expected of a representative of the Court.
6. Ability to maintain sensitive and confidential information.
7. Demonstrated dependability, reliability, and excellent attendance record.
8. Patience, objectivity, maturity, effectiveness under stress, initiative, adaptability, and sound judgment. 

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENTThe Housing Court Deputy Bailiff is an at-will employee and serves at the pleasure of the Court; he/she is not a member of a bargaining unit. The Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on age, gender, religion, race, color, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, or disability.  DRUG SCREEN AND BACKGROUND CHECKRequired to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by the City of Cleveland. These screenings include but are not limited to a criminal background check and drug screen. New hires will be placed on a 180-day probationary period.

 

This is not a civil service position.

The Housing Specialist serves at the will of the Housing Court Judge.

This position carries a six-month probationary period.

Salary : $60,500