Chief Circuit Court Referee

St Joseph County•Three Rivers, MI

About The Position

General Summary: Under the general direction of the Friend of the Court, manages and coordinates the judicial functions of the Friend of the Court. Serves as FOC director for administrative purposes in the director’s absence. Assists with program planning, management, and other administrative functions. Responsibilities include acting as Chief Circuit Court Referee, conducting hearing on a variety of domestic relations cases, reviewing all domestic relations orders for judges’ approval, researching legislation and case law and assisting staff and judges with changes in family law. Essential Functions: Serves as Chief Circuit Court Referee conducting hearings on a variety of domestic relations cases and other matters as allowed by statute and court rules. Administers oaths, takes testimony, questions witnesses, admits evidence. Prepares a written report of findings and recommendations or makes findings of fact on the record. Prepares necessary orders to implement decisions. Conducts pre-trials with parties and attorneys in domestic relations cases to mediate and encourage settlements. Researches and evaluates legislation, court rules, office operations, and determines impact on FOC operations. Develops and implements policies and procedures to improve services. Ensures that operations are following applicable law. Advises judges, court staff, and local attorneys about changes in family law. Reviews all proposed domestic relations orders prepared by litigants, attorneys, or court staff. Recommends changes, discusses orders with appropriate parties and approves orders for judge’s signature. Assists in preparation of budgets for judicial approval, presentation of budget to County Administration and authorization and monitoring of budget expenditures. Works with court staff, funding unit, and state and federal officials regarding financial matters. Assists with negotiation of the annual IV-D contract, presentation of contract to county administration for approval and administration of contract including monthly billing activities. Supervises the implementation of effective case flow management to ensure cases are processed in accordance with management guidelines. Coordinates the resolution of case flow management problems with other court staff and judges. Oversees the FOC alternative dispute resolution program. Serves as liaison to county officials, local bar association, state and federal agencies, legislators, community agencies, news media, schools, and other organizations. Explains court programs, discusses legislation, explains court policy, addresses complaints and service issues and coordinates programs. Participates in employment interviews and selection, assists in training staff, and answering investigative, enforcement, and case processing issues. Analyzes IV-D referrals from DHS regarding paternity and child support to determine whether to initiate court action. Serves as the Friend of the Court for administrative purposes in the incumbent’s absence. Assists in administering departmental operations, including participating in developing policies and procedures, and other administrative functions. Assists the Friend of the Court in ensuring compliance with all policies and procedures of the office. Performs other duties as required. An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the above tasks. (These examples do not include all of the tasks which the employees may be expected to perform.)

Requirements

Law degree from an accredited law school.
Five years of experience dealing with domestic relations cases in a legal capacity.
Licensed to practice law in the State of Michigan.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite applications.
A Michigan Vehicle Operator’s License.

Responsibilities

Serves as Chief Circuit Court Referee conducting hearings on a variety of domestic relations cases and other matters as allowed by statute and court rules.
Administers oaths, takes testimony, questions witnesses, admits evidence.
Prepares a written report of findings and recommendations or makes findings of fact on the record.
Prepares necessary orders to implement decisions.
Conducts pre-trials with parties and attorneys in domestic relations cases to mediate and encourage settlements.
Researches and evaluates legislation, court rules, office operations, and determines impact on FOC operations.
Develops and implements policies and procedures to improve services.
Ensures that operations are following applicable law.
Advises judges, court staff, and local attorneys about changes in family law.
Reviews all proposed domestic relations orders prepared by litigants, attorneys, or court staff.
Recommends changes, discusses orders with appropriate parties and approves orders for judge’s signature.
Assists in preparation of budgets for judicial approval, presentation of budget to County Administration and authorization and monitoring of budget expenditures.
Works with court staff, funding unit, and state and federal officials regarding financial matters.
Assists with negotiation of the annual IV-D contract, presentation of contract to county administration for approval and administration of contract including monthly billing activities.
Supervises the implementation of effective case flow management to ensure cases are processed in accordance with management guidelines.
Coordinates the resolution of case flow management problems with other court staff and judges.
Oversees the FOC alternative dispute resolution program.
Serves as liaison to county officials, local bar association, state and federal agencies, legislators, community agencies, news media, schools, and other organizations.
Explains court programs, discusses legislation, explains court policy, addresses complaints and service issues and coordinates programs.
Participates in employment interviews and selection, assists in training staff, and answering investigative, enforcement, and case processing issues.
Analyzes IV-D referrals from DHS regarding paternity and child support to determine whether to initiate court action.
Serves as the Friend of the Court for administrative purposes in the incumbent’s absence.
Assists in administering departmental operations, including participating in developing policies and procedures, and other administrative functions.
Assists the Friend of the Court in ensuring compliance with all policies and procedures of the office.
Performs other duties as required.