Family Court Hearing Officer

Luzerne County•Wilkes-Barre, PA

About The Position

The Family Court Hearing Officer is a quasi-judicial position appointed by the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County and considered a confidential appointment of the judicial staff. The role is a full-time position with benefits and is subject to the Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County Human Resource Policy and Procedures Manual, as well as applicable Commonwealth of Pennsylvania rules and regulations. The Hearing Officer is an at-will employee and may be separated from employment at any time without cause. The Hearing Officer presides over matters under the Pennsylvania Juvenile Act, including delinquency and dependency proceedings, and over custody proceedings under the Rules of Civil Procedure. In delinquency and dependency proceedings, the Hearing Officer may preside over specified hearings and submit written recommendations to the supervising Judge. In custody proceedings, the Hearing Officer adjudicates initial custody proceedings, including petitions for modification. The position requires conducting conferences and evidentiary hearings, making decisions, preparing written reports and recommendations, drafting court orders, and coordinating the presentation, filing, and service of reports and orders. The Hearing Officer also performs duties and assignments necessary to administer court rules and policies and as directed by the Court of Common Pleas and/or District Court Administrator.

Requirements

Be a member in good standing of the bar of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Have been licensed to practice law for at least five consecutive years.
Possess superior organization and time-management skills.
Possess superior legal knowledge and ability.
Possess superior verbal and written communication abilities.
Possess superior ability to manage interpersonal relations.
Possess superior ability to conduct extensive legal research.
Possess superior ability to compose legal documents.
Be able to learn and apply complex computer programs in day-to-day operations.
Be able to use advanced communication technology without assistance.
Complete six hours of instruction approved by the Pennsylvania Continuing Legal Education Board before hearing cases.
Complete six hours of instruction every two years.

Responsibilities

Preside over matters under the Pennsylvania Juvenile Act, including delinquency and dependency proceedings.
Preside over custody proceedings in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure and adjudicate initial custody proceedings, including petitions for modification.
In delinquency proceedings, preside over detention, detention review, or shelter-care hearings; discovery, pre-adjudicatory, or preliminary proceedings for misdemeanors; hearings involving petitions alleging only misdemeanors; uncontested dispositional review hearings; uncontested probation revocation hearings; and other matters designated by the Court.
In dependency proceedings, preside over shelter-care hearings; adjudication, disposition, status, and permanency review hearings; and other matters designated by the Court.
Submit written recommendations to the supervising Judge in applicable delinquency and dependency proceedings.
Conduct conciliation conferences to mediate custody issues and conduct evidentiary hearings.
Make decisions and prepare written reports and recommendations.
Draft court orders and coordinate the presentation, filing, and service of reports and orders.
Facilitate the implementation and administration of court rules and policies for adjudication of cases.
Perform additional assignments as directed by the Court of Common Pleas and/or District Court Administrator.