Judicial Service Officer (Attorney)

Classification Title

Judicial Service Officer (Attorney)

Salary

$70,399.42 - $91,055.76

Department

Friend Of The Court

Opening Date

01/06/2025

Closing Date

01/24/2025 12:00 a.m.

FLSA STATUS: Non-exempt - overtime pursuant to Human Resources and Labor Relations Policy

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP: Just cause subject to probationary period

General Summary

Enforces court orders for payment of child support pursuant to the laws of the State of Michigan and pursuant to Federal rules and regulations governing the State of Michigan. Appears in open court and arraignment hearings for incarcerated litigants. Provides the Court with factual information regarding domestic relations cases. Provides answer to questions from litigants, attorneys and employees in domestic relations cases and child support enforcement. Performs related duties as assigned.

Essential Functions And Responsibilities

Manages a caseload and assists the Family Division Bench by enforcing the support, parenting time, and custody provisions of orders issued on domestic relations cases.

Provides case information and advises parties, attorneys, and third-party custodians and guardians of Friend of the Court policies and procedures.

Responds to written correspondence as well as in-person, telephone, and other inquiries from parties, Courts, attorneys, and other governmental agencies regarding assigned cases.

Reviews files to determine if eligible for enforcement and initiates appropriate enforcement action

Conducts pre-show cause hearings and represents the Friend of the Court before the Family Division Bench.

Testifies as needed in felony non-support cases and proceedings before Family Division Bench or Friend of the Court Referees.

Interprets orders for Friend of the Court staff.

Maintains statistical data as required for Friend of the Court compliance with federal and state reporting requirements and performance and policy reviews by Management and Circuit Court.

Interviews arrested parties to obtain necessary information to resolve bench warrants issued by the Family Division.

Appears on behalf of the Friend of the Court to present bench warrant hearings and waivers of arrearages before the Family Division Bench or Referees.

Performs legal research using printed legal materials and online legal materials and websites.

Continues to keep up to date on developments and changes in family law via review of new statutes, professional journals, and legal opinions of state and federal courts.

Complies with IRS Confidentiality regulations and requirements.

Performs related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required Education and Experience:

• Juris Doctor Degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school
• Three (3) years of experience with Friend of the Court procedures and policies or family law, litigation and legal experience
  
  

Required Licenses Or Certifications

• Current membership and in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan
• Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license and operable, insured automobile for authorized travel
  
  

Knowledge Of

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES:

• Domestic relations case law, statutes and the Michigan Rules of Evidence
• Friend of the Court systems, including Michigan Child Support Enforcement System (MiCSES) and OnBase Imaging System
• Knowledge of child support enforcement methodology, legal terminology and Friend of the Court policies and procedures
• Office equipment and technology, including personal computers, software programs and internet applications sufficient to research the law, draft memorandums of law, and produce reports
  
  

Skill In

• Strong legal research and writing skills
• Negotiation and mediation
• Interpersonal skills necessary to develop and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with the Elected Officials, Administrators, Department Heads, Circuit Court Family Division, State Bar, litigants, general public and co-workers
• Independent and sound judgment and initiative in analyzing problems and recommending solutions
• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature
• Performing basic mathematical functions such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, and ratios
  
  

Ability To

• Conduct meetings, interviews and hearings via virtual video platforms
• Perform job functions with minimal direction
• Work in an environment which embraces the county’s Dignity Campaign
• Effectively speak, write and understand the English language
• Effectively speak, write and understand a language other than English is preferred
• Understand and carry out oral and/or written instructions
• Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files
• Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries
• Work independently
  
  

Work Environment/Conditions

The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Work Environment

Office or similar indoor environment: F/C

Outdoor environment: O

Street environment (near moving traffic): N/S

Construction site: N/S

Confined space: N/S

Exposures

Individuals who are hostile or irate: F/C

Individuals with known violent backgrounds: F/C

Extreme cold (below 32 degrees): N/S

Extreme heat (above 100 degrees): N/S

Communicable diseases: N/S

Moving mechanical parts: N/S

Fumes or airborne particles: N/S

Toxic or caustic chemicals, substances, or waste: N/S

Loud noises (85 decibels): N/S

Blood Borne Pathogens: N/S

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously

Demand

Balancing on even or uneven surfaces/ground: N/S

Bending (forward or backward bending at the waist): O

Climbing up or down stairs, ladders, scaffolding and platforms: N/S

Crawling (moving about on hands and knees). Inspecting in confined spaces: N/S

Digging: N/S

Driving on sealed and unsealed roads: O

Grasping, gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands: O

Kneeling to work at low levels: N/S

Manual Dexterity (fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing): F/C

Lift/Carry/Move objects from one level/position to another (covered by the items below):

Up to 10 pounds: O

Push/Pull objects away from or towards the body: O

Reaching overhead (arms raised above the shoulder) or forward reaching (arms extended): O

Sitting in a seated position during the task performance: F/C

Standing in an upright position without movement: F/C

Walking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: O

Running considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: N/S

General Requirements And Disclaimers

Complies with P.A. 390, as amended, known as the State’s Emergency Management Act and the County’s Emergency Management resolution as well as all related plans, policies and procedures covered by those statutes.

The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment amongst other possible accommodations.