Juvenile Court Officer

Ingham County•Lansing, MI

23h•Hybrid

About The Position

A Juvenile Court Officer (JCO) investigates and prepares written documentation and recommendations for the Court, establishes, implements, and monitors treatment programs, and supervises and counsels assigned minors and their families. The JCO serves as a liaison between various professionals and agencies providing treatment services. Essential functions include conducting investigations on delinquent, neglect, adoption, truancy, or emancipation cases to develop social histories, make observations on family situations, and create case plans and recommendations. The officer analyzes case histories and factual investigations to determine problem behaviors and recommends treatment programs. They are responsible for a minor's custody or physical placement upon entering the Court system, recommend placement changes, and monitor visitations. JCOs provide supervision and counseling to minors and parents using cognitive behavioral treatment, social skills training, mindfulness, parenting skills, and goal setting. They prepare investigation and hearing reports, testify in court, and attend all hearings for assigned minors and parents. The role involves monitoring visitations, assessing progress in academic and treatment programs, coordinating program efforts, and arranging for clients' clothing, medical, mental health, and dental care, including transportation. JCOs maintain contact with external agencies like schools and social services, visit minors in detention centers, maintain logs and case files, and prepare petitions and serve legal papers. Transportation of clients is a key duty. They attend staff meetings and in-service training, supervise student interns, and screen clients for appropriate treatment programs. JCOs monitor progress towards court-ordered goals and determine consequences for violations, which may include community service, tether, detention requests, or emergency removal petitions. They use independent judgment in crisis situations, screen for mental health intervention, and may be required to physically restrain aggressive clients. Compliance with Victim Rights laws, restitution negotiation, and collection are also part of the role. JCOs co-lead support groups, organize youth programming, administer and monitor urinalysis and breath tests, and supervise the use of Tethers. They can be assigned to various departments within the Court, including Intake, Probation, Truancy, Intensive Neglect Services, and Specialty Courts, which may require additional training. They may also present at trainings or conferences and assist in the development and implementation of court programs. Other duties as assigned, including potential duties during public health emergencies, completing state paperwork for registered sex offenders, monitoring compliance, and ensuring clients complete mandatory STD testing.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or graduation from 4-year college or university required.
Training in Behavioral Sciences, Criminal Justice, Family Sciences or related fields of study highly preferred.
Must submit college transcripts.
Minimum of 24 months previous and related work experience in dealing with delinquent/at risk youth.
Experience in dealing with the Michigan Juvenile code helpful.
Good analytical and public relations skills.
Manage and learn computer based Court management systems.
Good critical thinking skills and social perceptiveness.
Possession of a valid Michigan driver’s license.
Ability to handle varying and often high levels of stress.
Strong time management and the ability to multitask over multiple cases and responsibilities.
Required to own an insured, legal vehicle.
Demonstrates effective communication skills by engaging, interacting and working with all individuals to ensure clarity and understanding in all interactions.
Required to visually scan, review and read legal documents to individuals and associated parties during investigations.
Must be able to listen to statements and make a written record of their findings.
Use of a standard voice telephone system for communication with the general public is required.
Must be physically able to access public and private facilities and residential homes.
Requires continuous stamina in sitting, walking, typing and enduring repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers.
Requires periodic stamina in balancing, twisting, bending, stooping/crouching, squatting, kneeling.
Use of CPI Training, or other Court approved program, to de-escalate situations or restrain children and youth if needed.
Ability to operate a PC/laptop and to enter and retrieve information from a computer.
Including using online technology including Zoom, FaceTime and other teleconferencing software.

Nice To Haves

Training in Behavioral Sciences, Criminal Justice, Family Sciences or related fields of study highly preferred.
Experience in dealing with the Michigan Juvenile code helpful.

Responsibilities

Investigate and prepare written documentation and recommendations for the Court.
Establish, implement, and monitor treatment programs.
Supervise and counsel assigned minors and their families.
Serve as a liaison between various professionals and agencies providing treatment services.
Conduct investigations on delinquent, neglect, adoption, truancy, or emancipation cases.
Develop social histories, make observations on family situations, and develop case plans and recommendations.
Analyze case histories and factual investigations to determine problem behaviors.
Recommend appropriate treatment programs.
Be immediately responsible for the minor's custody or physical placement.
Recommend appropriate changes of placement to the Judge or referee.
Set up and monitor all visitations.
Provide supervision and counseling of minors and parents regarding family problems and conflicts.
Prepare comprehensive investigation and hearing reports.
Testify regarding the facts of the charge(s) and make recommendations to the Judge or referee at disposition.
Attend all hearings of assigned minors and parents.
Monitor regular visitations of minors and parents and assess their academic and Court ordered treatment program's progress.
Coordinate program efforts with staff to assure physical and emotional needs are met.
Arrange for clothing, medical, mental health, and dental care of clients including transportation.
Maintain regular contacts with other agencies such as schools, police, public and private social agencies.
Visit delinquent minors at correctional and youth detention centers as necessary.
Maintain a current log of all contacts and keep case files up-to-date.
Prepare a variety of petitions regarding assigned cases.
Serve legal papers such as court orders and summons.
Physically transport clients and/or their families to court facilities, appointments, hearings, community service assignments, institutions or other such places deemed necessary.
Attend regularly scheduled staff meetings and in-service training sessions.
Supervise and evaluate student interns performing field work responsibilities.
Complete all necessary evaluations and paperwork to assess intern progress.
Use independent judgment to screen clients for appropriate treatment programs.
Monitor progress towards Court ordered goals and determine consequences for violating program guidelines or requirements.
Use independent judgment in unusual and crisis situations as it relates to neglect and delinquent children and families.
Screen clients for mental health intervention and preliminary safety planning.
Physically restrain aggressive and/or hostile clients using approved crisis intervention skills.
Comply with Victim Rights laws, contacts and restitution negotiation, and collection.
Contact victims to establish appropriate restitution and/or community service for delinquent minor.
Co-lead support groups for target populations providing intensive intervention and rehabilitation.
Assist other community service agencies.
Organize and facilitate programming for youth including Summer Enrichment Programs for Court wards, and special event programs.
Administer and witness urinalysis screens, Preliminary Breath Tests (PBTS) and mouth swab screens on adult and youth clientele.
Arrange for and monitor alcohol measuring devices on adult and youth clientele.
Supervise and monitor the use of Tethers for compliance including administering and removing appliance.
Monitor progress utilizing computer software and devices.
Complete all necessary evaluations and paperwork to assess progress.
Utilize a thorough knowledge of available resources gained through experience, assist Juvenile Court officers and other court staff in the development and implementation of court Programs.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Ensure that Finger and DNA orders are completed for each petition, including taking fingerprints on a Live Scan machine.
Complete mandatory state paperwork for juveniles to file as registered sex offenders, monitor compliance with state mandates and requirements.
Ensure clients complete mandatory STD testing.