JOB TITLE: Friend of the Court

REPORTS TO: Family Division Presiding Judge and Assistant Trial Court Administrator

SUMMARY:

Directs staff engaged in investigating, enforcing and processing domestic relations cases; and is responsible for program planning, fiscal management, personnel management, facilities management, and other administrative matters.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

(An * denotes duties or responsibilities judged to be “essential job functions" in terms of the Americans With Disabilities Act or ADA)

  • Directs activities of Friend of the Court staff and is responsible for personnel management functions, including hiring employees, providing orientation to employees, training employees, assigning work, evaluating work performance, and initiating and recommending discipline.*
  • Prepares FOC budgets for judicial and trial court management and fiscal staff review and approval. Assists in budget presentations to county board and administers approved budgets.*
  • Coordinates negotiation of annual IV-D contracts. Assists in presentation of contracts to the county board for approval, and administers approved contracts.*
  • Researches and evaluates legislation, court rules and office operations and determines legislative and court rule impact on FOC operations. Develops and implements policies and procedures to improve services, and to ensure that operations are in compliance with applicable statutes and court rules.*
  • Ensures case processing and cash receipting procedures are in compliance with applicable statutes, court rules, and accepted accounting practices and financial controls.*
  • Meets with judges, trial court management and fiscal staff, and auditors regarding audits of FOC financial records and controls. Consults with judges, trial court management and fiscal staff regarding audit findings and implementation of audit recommendations. Ensures that audit recommendations are implemented.*
  • Confers with judges, trial court management staff, and FOC staff to discuss case processing activities, concerns, problems and administrative matters; explains policies and procedures, and answers questions about court operations.*
  • Meets with clients, attorneys and FOC patrons to address complaints and questions about FOC operations, policies and procedures. Investigates complaints and takes appropriate action to resolve complaints.*
  • Represents the office to community agencies, news media, local bar, and other agencies and organizations. Explains office policies and procedures, discusses case dispositions, addresses service issues, responds to service requests, and coordinates programs and services.*
  • Assists staff with investigative, enforcement and case processing problems. Performs investigative, enforcement other office functions as required.*
  • Investigates and prepares responses to grievances filed by litigants. Maintains records of grievances filed and responses to them.*
  • Performs other administrative functions such as preparing case activity reports, monitoring caseflow, and addressing budget issues.*
  • Performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Judge.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by a person in this position. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties that may be performed by such a person.