Juvenile Court Officer-Ingham County Human Resources

Job Description

Job Title: Juvenile Court Officer

Company: Ingham County Human Resources

Location: Lansing, MI

Pay: $59555.84 – 88241.53 per year

AI Pay Analysis: The hourly rate for a Juvenile Court Officer in Lansing, MI, translating to an annual salary range of approximately $59,555.84 to $88,241.53, appears to be competitive and aligns with industry standards for similar roles within the region. Typically, salaries for Juvenile Court Officers vary based on experience, education, and specific local government structures, but this range falls within the acceptable norms for criminal justice and social services professions in Michigan. Overall, these figures suggest a reasonable compensation package that reflects the responsibilities associated with the position, making it an attractive opportunity for potential candidates.

Job description:

A Juvenile Court Officer (JCO) is responsible for a range of critical duties within the juvenile justice system, which include the investigation and preparation of written documentation and recommendations for the Court, establishing, implementing, and monitoring treatment programs, as well as supervising and counseling assigned minors and their families. The JCO acts as a vital liaison between various professionals and agencies that provide treatment services.

Essential Functions:

• Conduct investigations on cases involving delinquency, neglect, adoption, truancy, or emancipation initiated through apprehension or referral to the Court. This process involves developing a social history, observing family dynamics, and creating personalized case plans and recommendations using approved evaluation tools.
• Analyze case histories, observations, and other pertinent information while conducting factual investigations of charges to assess problematic behaviors concerning both minors and their parents, ultimately recommending tailored treatment programs to address these issues.
• Assume immediate responsibility for the custody or physical placement of minors upon their entry into the Court system, recommending appropriate changes of placement to the Judge or referee and organizing and monitoring visitations.
• Provide supervision and counseling to minors and their families regarding familial issues through structured weekly face-to-face contacts. This role requires the implementation of effective intervention practices grounded in cognitive behavioral treatment, social skills training, mindfulness, parenting skills, and goal setting. Adherence to these principles is essential, with fidelity monitored by a member of the Juvenile Risk Assessment team.
• Prepare comprehensive investigation and hearing reports, testifying about case facts and making recommendations to the Judge or referee during dispositions. Attend all hearings related to assigned minors and their families, which may include contested and non-contested preliminary hearings, pre-trial hearings, dispositional hearings, show-cause hearings, and case reviews.
• Monitor regular visitations between minors and their parents while assessing progress in academic and court-ordered treatment programs. Collaborate with staff to ensure that the physical and emotional needs of clients are being met.
• Coordinate the provision of clothing, medical, mental health, and dental care for clients, including transportation arrangements.
• Maintain consistent communication with external agencies such as schools, police, and social service organizations involved with clients, and conduct visits to delinquent minors located in the Ingham County Youth Center, Ingham County Jail, or other correctional facilities as necessary.
• Keep detailed records of all contacts and ensure that case files are up-to-date. Prepare a variety of legal petitions related to assigned cases, and serve legal documents such as court orders and summons.
• Execute transportation duties, which include physically transporting clients and/or their families to court facilities, appointments, hearings, community service assignments, and other necessary locations.
• Attend regular staff meetings and participate in in-service training sessions.
• Supervise and evaluate student interns engaged in field work at the Court, completing all required assessments and documentation to track their progress.
• Exercise independent judgment in screening clients for suitable treatment programs such as Intensive Probation Services, the Michigan State University Mentor Program, Intensive Neglect Services, the Horizon Program, Specialty Courts, and various community service agencies.
• Monitor progress towards court-ordered goals and determine appropriate consequences for violations of program guidelines or requirements, which may include community service, electronic monitoring, detention requests for delinquent youth, or petitions for emergency removal in neglect cases.
• Employ independent judgment in managing unusual or crisis situations related to neglect and delinquent children and families, including screening for mental health interventions and conducting preliminary safety planning. Physical restraint of aggressive or hostile clients may be necessary employing approved crisis intervention techniques.
• Adhere to Victim Rights laws, including contact and restitution negotiations, and coordinate efforts with victims to establish appropriate restitution or community service for delinquent minors, making recommendations in court as needed.
• Co-lead support groups aimed at target populations requiring intensive intervention and rehabilitation and assist other community service organizations.
• Organize and facilitate youth programming, such as Summer Enrichment Programs for court wards and special events.
• Administer and observe urinalysis screenings, Preliminary Breath Tests (PBTs), and mouth swab tests on both adult and youth clientele. Arrange and monitor the usage of alcohol measuring devices as well.
• Supervise and monitor compliance with electronic tethering, including the administration and removal of devices, utilizing computer software for progress tracking.
• JCOs may be assigned to various departments within the Court, including Intake, Standard or Intensive Probation, Truancy, Intensive Neglect Services, Ingham Academy, Community Placement, or Aftercare. Assignments may include participation in Specialty Court initiatives that require additional training and increased reporting and attendance at community events.
• Leverage a comprehensive understanding of available resources to assist Juvenile Court officers and other court staff in the development and implementation of court programs.

Other Functions:

• Perform other duties as assigned.
• During public health emergencies, employees may be asked to perform duties similar to those outlined in this job description.
• Ensure completion of Fingerprint and DNA orders for each petition, including the use of a Live Scan machine for taking fingerprints.
• Complete mandatory state documentation for juveniles registering as sex offenders and monitor compliance with state mandates and requirements, including ensuring that clients undergo mandatory STD testing.

(The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this classification, and are not to be construed as a comprehensive list of all job duties.)

Employment Qualifications:

Education: A bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university is required. Training in Behavioral Sciences, Criminal Justice, Family Sciences, or related fields is highly preferred. College transcripts must be submitted.

Experience: A minimum of 24 months of related work experience dealing with delinquent or at-risk youth is required. Familiarity with the Michigan Juvenile Code is advantageous. Strong analytical and public relations skills are necessary.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to manage and learn computer-based court management systems.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills and social perceptiveness.
• Valid Michigan driver’s license is required.
• Capability to handle varying and often high levels of stress.
• Strong time management skills, with the ability to multitask across multiple cases and responsibilities.
• Must possess an insured, legal vehicle.
• Effective communication skills demonstrated through engagement and interaction with individuals from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, encompassing various ages, disabilities, genders, and LGBTQIA+ statuses to ensure clarity and understanding in all interactions.

(The qualifications listed represent the minimum skills and experience required for performing the duties and responsibilities outlined in this job description and should be considered as general guidelines in conjunction with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.)

Requirements and Working Conditions:

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to visually scan, review, and read legal documents with individuals and related parties during investigations.
• Capacity to listen to statements and make written records of findings.
• Utilization of a standard voice telephone system for communication with the public is required.
• Must physically access public and private facilities as well as residential homes.
• Requires stamina for sitting, walking, typing, and repetition of wrist, hand, or finger movements.
• Periodic stamina required for balancing, twisting, bending, stooping, crouching, and kneeling, as well as employing CPI Training or other court-approved programs for de-escalation or restraint as needed.
• Ability to operate a PC or laptop and retrieve information, including familiarity with teleconferencing technology like Zoom and FaceTime.

(This position requires the ability to meet essential functions outlined in this description. Reasonable accommodations will be made for qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more requirements.)

Working Conditions:

• Work is conducted in office, school, and community settings.
• May involve travel to various off-site locations throughout the county.
• Potential exposure to bodily fluids (saliva, urine, blood, feces).
• Regular interaction with individuals charged with or convicted of criminal offenses.
• Outdoor work, including vehicle operation, is expected in all types of weather.
• May encounter physical altercations during location or arrest efforts.
• Exposure to hazardous work conditions is a possibility, such as client homes and personal searches, safe restraints, animal encounters, and contact with communicable diseases in high-risk populations.
• JCOs may be required to enter homes or living arrangements with unknown danger levels, including presence of aggressive pets, individuals with violent histories, or unsafe living conditions.
• On-call status after hours may be required.
• Travel is mandatory, with some positions necessitating out-of-state travel.
• Work may occur in adversarial or hostile environments involving domestic violence, weapons, personal threats, and physical assaults.
• Ensuring personal and client safety regarding COVID-19 in environments with significant client contact, including home visits, transportation, restraint of clients, and in-office meetings.
• This position may involve exposure to clients in crisis who may suffer from mental or emotional conditions, display violent behaviors, or neglect personal safety or hygiene.

This position is benefited and is subject to the OPEIU FAMILY COURT GROUP Collective Bargaining Agreement. Ingham County offers a wide range of benefits to support your career. For more information, please view the current group contract.

Job Posting Date: Sat, 19 Apr 2025 05:49:05 GMT

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