Referee

CLASSIFICATION TITLE:

Referee

SALARY:

$82,702.22 - $106,968.42

DEPARTMENT:

Family Court Juvenile Division

Opening Date:

04/22/2024

Closing Date:

05/04/2024 12:00 a.m.

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP: Just cause subject to probationary period

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Under direction, conducts and presides at hearings and proceedings as permitted by law. Provides legal consultation to the Court and to staff. Performs legal research and writing on laws and any proposed legislation affecting Circuit Court - Juvenile Division matters. Designs, implements and trains staff as to legal procedures. Represents Court at designated hearings and operational proceedings.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Presides over and handles contested delinquency and child neglect and abuse hearings, including trials, pre-trials, adjudications, dispositions, reviews, permanency planning hearings, evidentiary hearings, restitution hearings, probation violations, and placement reviews.

Presides over and handles contested reimbursement and traffic matters.

Presides over and handles adoption consents and releases.

Conducts preliminary inquiries, intake and jurisdictional transfer cases as assigned.

Conducts hearings to address placement of children in delinquency and child protective proceedings.

Prepares recommended Orders and Opinions following hearings consistent with SCAO and Title IV-E compliance standards.

Provides twenty-four (24) hour intake coverage on a rotating basis.

Performs legal research.

Participates in continuing legal education.

Monitors new legal materials, including but not limited to, newspapers, professional journals, and opinions of state and federal courts.

Prepares documents using computer, tablet, and mobile phone.

Assistant the public by answering questions and issuing information as needed.

Operates an automobile to perform assigned job functions.

Performs related duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required Education and Experience:

• Juris Doctor Degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school

• A minimum of five (5) years of practice, preferably in the area of juvenile law

Preferred Education and Experience

• Previous family law and/or probate law experience

Required Licenses or Certifications

• A current membership in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan

• Possession of a valid Michigan driver's license and operable, insured automobile for authorized travel

COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES:

Knowledge of:

• Juvenile/family law, probate law, Community Mental Health (CMH) services, and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) policy

• Legal terminology and court procedures

• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment including sufficient to research the law, draft memorandums of law, and produce reports and recommended orders

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

Ability to:

• Present legal findings in a clear and concise manner

• Research, analyze and report on complex or technical legal issues

• 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: N/S

Street environment (near moving traffic): N/S

Construction site: N/S

Confined space: N/S

Exposures

Individuals who are hostile or irate: O

Individuals with known violent backgrounds: O

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: F/C

Bending (forward or backward bending at the waist): N/S

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:

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: O

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.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) Local 889 - Specialized Offices bargaining unit represents this position. Therefore, there may be contract language which could require consideration in the selection process.