Family Court Facilitator (Revised)

Job Summary

This position works 37.5 hours per week.

NOTE: Please note revisions to the minimum requirements.

The position allocated to this class performs confidential, skilled administrative and technical work for the Unified Family Court of Superior Court; provides technical assistance under Title 26 and Title 11 RCW to litigants of diverse ages, social, economic, cultural and education backgrounds who are representing themselves ("pro se"); performs moderately complex research, analysis and reporting functions. Work is performed with considerable independence under the general direction of the Superior Court Administrator and receives direction from the Superior Court Judges and Court Commissioners. This classification is differentiated from the Court Coordinator classification by the increased complexity in the area of assignment, requiring specialized working knowledge of Family Court policies, processes and documentation. Objectives, priorities and deadlines are established jointly with the Superior Court Administrator, Judges and Court Commissioners. Performance is reviewed through meetings, periodic reports and by evaluation of results obtained.

TOTAL COMPENSATION:$70,528 - $98,700 annually.Total compensation is anestimatebased upon base compensation, median retirement fund contributions, and current employer-paid health and related benefit contribution rates (including medical, dental, life insurance, long term disability, and leave). The actual total will vary depending upon each employee's enrollment choices.

Examples of Duties

• Assesses the needs and provides information to pro se litigants; ensures all parties receive policies, procedures and pertinent information regarding their case; coordinates client services through effective case management; applies problem solving and conflict resolution techniques.

• Provides technical assistance to pro se litigants referred from the family law court calendars to ensure orders and other documents requested by the Judge or Commissioner are complete and timely; reports applicable case information to the Judge or Commissioner.

• Assists pro se litigants with the computation of basic support obligation based solely on information provided by litigants regarding income, ages of children and number of dependents.

• Reviews pro se dissolution case files prior to final hearing to ensure that files are complete and to identify documents needed to finalize dissolution and any other documents at issue for the Court Commissioner.

• Analyzes and tracks court processes and program services; prepares monthly reports and maintains statistics to assess the effectiveness of the program.

• Functions as a community liaison and referral between pro se litigants, court personnel, and internal and external agencies; serves on various committees as directed, presenting statistics and other information on the program, solicits feedback.

• Refers litigants to legal assistance, social services or other community services, as appropriate. Updates and maintains community referral lists for family law related issues, providing instruction and training sources as appropriate.

• Maintains mandatory state forms, informational brochures and other materials necessary for the implementation and operation of the Court Facilitator program. Coordinates the development of form packets with the Spokane Bar Association.

• Coordinates, plans and manages complex and varied database applications and programs utilized for calendaring and case flow functions.

• Implements policy and procedures approved by the Court; and assists in developing protocols and local rules.

• Ensures compliance with statutory and grant requirements of the FJCIP, including maintaining and monitoring necessary records, statistics and outcomes; facilitates applicable training and development to ensure compliance with state requirements.

• Plans, manages, monitors and evaluates projects related to the FJCIP aimed at identifying and correcting problem areas in the efficiency and effectiveness of the program, case management, and/or services; develops criteria to measure and assess the success of the program

• Researches, analyzes and advises the Court on service needs, process changes and other court models; assists with development and implementation of new programs.

• Creates case screening criteria and case management objectives; monitors compliance with case processing standards.

• Works collaboratively on systemic improvements with dependency stakeholder groups, the courts, and community partners.

• Facilitates organizational change and system improvements by convening stakeholder groups for committee work, creating and implementing project work, using and manipulating state and local data to identify issues in the system and then creating projects to solve issues.

• Creates and writes program literature such as program pamphlets, manuals, forms, handbooks and procedures.

• Participates in special projects.

• Performs other related duties as required/assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• An Associate's degree from an accredited college or university in social work, business administration, political science, or a related field, and

• Four (4) years of administrative experience, including three (3) years in a court, judicial or legal setting.

• Prefer experience performing client advocacy/direct services in a court setting or legal environment.

• An equivalent combination of related education, training and/or experience which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities may be considered.

Selection Factors

• Knowledge ofWashington State laws, court rules, policies, procedures and mandatory forms relating to Title 26 and Title 11 cases and proceedings including dissolutions, child support modifications, custody modifications, contempt actions, minor guardianships, paternity matters, and miscellaneous motions for temporary orders.

• Knowledge of Superior Court rules, procedures, laws and regulations, legal terminology and case processing procedures.

• Knowledge of functions and resources of local and statewide social service agencies.

• Knowledge of principles and practices of office management and work organization.

• Skilled inthe use of computers and related software applications to utilize word processing and database programs.

• Skilled in communicating effectively both orally and in writing, sufficient to exchange or convey information and to give and receive work direction.

• Skilled in establishing and maintaining effective work relationships with supervisors and co-workers, personnel from other County departments, various community organizations, municipalities, agencies, and the public.

• Ability tocollect, analyze, interpret and distribute data and other information accurately, appropriately and effectively; recommend solutions.

• Ability toidentify changes and improvements to better enable the court to meet the needs of families and juveniles involved with court processes.

• Ability toconduct effective interviews, determine courses of action and evaluate individual progress.

• Ability to work independently in a high-pressure environment, making consequential decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, court rules and procedures.

• Ability to communicate and work effectively with persons of diverse ages, social, economic, cultural and educational backgrounds.

• Ability to use verbal and non-verbal techniques to de-escalate and defuse situations where individuals may be highly agitated, frustrated or angry.

• Ability to stay current in changing laws, mandatory court forms, court rules and procedures and resources to effectively do the job and make referrals.

• Ability to maintain necessary records and prepare clear, concise written reports.

• Ability to make public presentations related to the program.

• Ability to use a variety of word processing, spreadsheet and database applications.