CASEWORKER - Friend of the Court

This position enforces child support, medical insurance/payment provisions, custody and parenting time. Must be able to effectively and tactfully communicate and maintain confidentiality. Critical thinking, ability to de-escalate highly emotional or angry individuals and professional court appearances required to present case information, testify and make recommendations.

Easily apply through our job board at www.bsaonline.com by entering your contact information into the application and uploading your cover letter and resume.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Program Manager, enforces court orders pertaining to custody, child support, spousal support, parenting time, child care and health care. Monitors cases to ensure compliance with the court order and follows up with enforcement action. Initiates enforcement actions such as notices of arrearage, income withholding orders, orders to show cause, or bench warrants. Responds to inquiries related to court orders, enforcement issues, case arrearages, and many other activities. Attempts to negotiate resolutions to enforcement actions. Essential functions include but are not limited to:

1. Regularly confers with parents, attorneys, law enforcement, employers, Office of Child Support (OCS), Child Protective Services (CPS), Social Security Administration (SSA), Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Michigan Department of Corrections including MPRI, Circuit Court Probation, military, parole, other county/state agencies, and others regarding domestic relations actions to answer procedural questions and provide specific case information. Meets with clients in person and by telephone to go over specific problems regarding their case. Coordinates customer requests for access to FOC records consistent with applicable regulations.

2. Informally mediates with clients scheduled for court hearing to attempt to resolve the matter without formal court action. Interviews parties, verifies information, and determines if further enforcement action is appropriate. Provides Judge or Referee with pertinent information regarding the case.

3. Responds to client complaints regarding parenting time, custody, child support, health care expenses, spousal support, and related issues. Daily decision making necessary to determine whether non-compliance has occurred and subsequent enforcement action. Informally mediates matters to try to reach agreement or find a more workable alternative.

4. Conducts support reviews. Investigates income, calculates support and prepares a written report and recommendations to the court regarding whether an increase or decrease in child support is appropriate based on needs of the child[ren] or changing financial conditions of the parties.

5. Prepares court orders reflecting agreements reached through informal mediation to resolve custody, parenting time, child support, spousal support, or health care enforcement and disputes.

6. Appears before Circuit Court Judges and Referees to present case specific information and make recommendations regarding parenting time, medical, and child support matters including payment plans. Testifies and makes recommendations in Court when ordered by a Judge.

7. Interprets court orders and creates and maintains records to ensure compliance. Includes reviewing files, processing allegations of violation, maintaining an accounting of make-up parenting time due and used by parents, preparing correspondence to address concerns, and scheduling, presenting and providing recommendations on matters before the court.

8. Enforces medical provisions of court orders to ensure court ordered insurance coverage and payment of uninsured health care expenses for dependent children.

9. Uses available resources to investigate, including but not limited to United States Postal Service, Lexis-Nexis/Accurint, E-Oscar (credit reporting), Business Objects, OCS, Offending Tracking Information System (OTIS), Vinelink, jail systems, the Internet, and social media to locate parents and/or employers.

10. Conducts interstate locate and enforcement requests, and enforcement actions. Responds to other agencies with interstate locate and enforcement requests.

11. Makes decisions for Office of Child Support staff in regard to administrative enforcement actions including tax offset, passport revocation, credit bureau reporting, financial institutions liens, Workers Compensation Bureau liens, employer lump sum and bonus withholdings, and other sources.

12. May perform functions of SSU, Enforcement Specialist, and Bench Warrant Officer on occasion including the interviewing and transporting of prisoners from other county jails and also to and from court for arraignments.

13. Must maintain a high level of confidentiality and safeguarding of personal data including wage, tax information, tax offset, and personal information including health records for clients.

14. Mandated reporter for CPS.

15. Prepares time documentation for Cooperative Reimbursement Program (CRP) grant funding and works various reports to optimize support incentive revenue collections.

16. Performs database administration functions state and county applications including MiCSES alerts, RESR, OnBase, etc.

17. Reviews bankruptcy filings to determine type and impact on enforcement of affected cases in compliance with bankruptcy law.

QUALIFICATIONS

:Education: Bachelor’s Degree in human services, social work, criminal justice, psychology, behavioral sciences, legal studies or a suitable alternative.

Experience: Two to three years of casework and/or enforcement and investigative experience preferably with the court or legal system, or a social service agency. Must have effective communication and decision making skills.

Other Requirements: Valid Michigan Driver’s License.

Relevant Skills/Specialized Equipment Knowledge:

• Computer programs including word processing, spreadsheets, database entry and maintenance and financial applications.
• Ability to use specialized computer systems/software or equipment such as E-Oscar, Accurint, MiCSES, OnBase, Business Objects, MiCase, MiSDU, LGAD State Services Portal, MiSupport, Jail roster, AS400 and The Work Number.
• Ability to effectively and tactfully communicate with individuals from a wide variety of socio-economic backgrounds.
• Ability to de-escalate highly emotional or angry individuals.
• Ability to exercise independent critical thinking and judgment in decision making.
• Ability to adapt to situations and think creatively

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

This is a non-exempt, pay grade K posiition within AFSCME Bargaining Unit with excellent benefits including PTO accrual and PAID HOLIDAYS at time of hire. Eligibility for additional benefits including health (medical/dental/vision/prescription), life, disability, etc., following successful completion of a 90 calendar day probationary period.

CORE BENEFITS (Provided at no cost): $30,000 Life Insurance, $30,000 AD&D; Long-Term Disability; Employee Wellness Benefits; Employee Assistance Program; Paid Holidays; Paid Time Off (based on length of service); Paid bereavement leave; and Education Assistance of up to $3,000 annually.

OPTIONAL BENEFITS (Cost share required): Medical, Prescription, Dental, Vision; Optional Life Insurance for employee, spouse and dependent children; Short-Term Disability; Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and/or Dependent Care); Health Savings Account; Consumerism Card; Legal Shield & ID Shield.

Full time employees are also offered an Employer match of up to 5% in our Defined Contribution 401a Plan with voluntary enrollment in our 457 Plan and greater than two times the employee contribution to our Retirement Health Savings Plan.

Benefit eligible employees opting out of the County's Health Plan with proof of other coverage qualify for a $3,000 Cash-In-Lieu of Insurance benefit paid bi-weekly at the rate of $125.

Details of the AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreement can be found on our website, www.mijackson.org.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $28.22 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply

Work Location: In person