JOB TITLE: Family Division Referee

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

SUMMARY:

Supervises casework and clerical support staff. Investigates juvenile delinquency, neglect and abuse cases and supervises juveniles placed on probation. Performs a variety of administrative functions such as budget preparation and monitoring, caseflow management, and overseeing court programs. Serves as a referee.

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)

  • Regularly performs all duties assigned to a Juvenile Caseworker.*
  • Supervises casework and clerical support staff making hiring decisions, training employees, assigning work, evaluating work performance, and initiating and recommending discipline.*
  • Coordinates case intake activities reviewing and determining assignment of petitions, assessing level of risk, and determining proper assignment of cases. Responds to crisis and emergency intake situations and determines the most appropriate reaction in accordance with case history and court policies and procedures.*
  • Responds to inquiries from clients, attorneys, agencies and others providing case and procedural information, resolving complaints, and addressing service issues.*
  • Represents the court to community organizations, news media, law enforcement agencies, schools and others providing information about court services and programs, providing case information, responding to service requests, and coordinating services and programs.
  • 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 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.*
  • Researches and evaluates legislation, court rules and office operations and determines legislative and court rule impact on court operations. Develops and implements procedures to improve services, effectively manage caseflow, and to ensure operations are in compliance with applicable statutes and court rules.
  • Prepares reports regarding caseload, case activity, and related trends; reimbursements, restitution and other receivables.
  • Conducts preliminary, plea of admissions, dispositional, and review hearings involving juvenile delinquency and child protective matters as allowed by statute and/or court rule.*
  • Administers oaths, accepts pleas, examines witnesses, hears testimony, and recommends appropriate dispositions.*
  • Responds to emergency situations issuing orders dictating immediate custodial status of youths.*
  • May assist in all 46th Circuit Trial Court Divisions when necessary to meet the needs of the court.
  • 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.