Contractual Caseworker 

For Wage and Job Details

General Summary

Under the supervision of Probate/Family Court Administrator- Juvenile Division, investigates and/or reviews assigned cases in adult, minor guardianship, adoption, delinquency and makes appropriate recommendations. Supervises cases and maintains case documentation and performs other case supervision related functions.

Essential Functions

  1. Works with youth/families where petitions are filed with the court under guardianship, adoption, personal protection or delinquency matters.
  2. Investigates cases involving minor children and makes recommendations to the court regarding a disposition to the petition.
  3. Interviews personnel of appropriate agencies pertaining to assigned cases to assist in making appropriate recommendations.
  4. Analyzes information gathered and prepares a written report containing family history, evaluation of involved parties with a recommendation for treatment plan and/or court ordered structured plan.
  5. Orients children and families to identified treatment plans and/or court order placement plan, support services, consequences of non-compliance and other case related matters.
  6. Meets regularly with youth and families to monitor compliance with terms and conditions of probation, casework plans and other case supervision requirements.
  7. Consults with child care facilities staff, foster parents, court staff, treatment agencies and other involved in providing services to youths or monitoring youth’s progress to discuss case status and progress, casework plan notifications and other case issues involving assigned youths.
  8. Responds to crisis emergency situations and determines the most appropriate reaction in accordance with case history and court policies and procedures.
  9. Conducts reviews of minors and adult guardianship cases on assigned cases.
  10. Meets with children and families and agencies to monitor compliance with terms and conditions of court ordered structured plan and/or probation rules, and other case supervision related conditions.
  11. Advises children and families about basic employment, family relationships, and educational issues. Makes appropriate referrals to agencies to meet the needs of the child/family for services.
  12. Assists Court Support Staff with paperwork filed pertaining to assigned probate Court matters.
  13. Investigates circumstances surrounding non-payment of child support in guardianship cases, completes appropriate paperwork to resolve the issue on assigned Probate Court matters.
  14. Transports children as deemed necessary depending on the type of case supervision, this may be to and from detention, doctors’ appointments, work sites and other approved locations.
  15. Completes random drug screens on youth and adults.
  16. Appears in court and testifies regarding the case investigation and recommendation.
  17. Documents all contacts with youths, families and others involved with the assigned case including telephone calls and other relevant contacts. Maintains case files.
  18. Initiates appropriate hearings as deemed necessary pertaining to specific cases.
  19. Serves in an on-call capacity to law enforcement agencies, foster parents, youth/families on off hours.
  20. Any other duties requested by the Court Administrator.

 

Other Functions
None listed.
This list may not be inclusive of the total scope of job functions to be performed. Duties and responsibilities may be added, deleted or modified at any time.

Employment Qualifications
Education: Bachelor’s degree in social sciences or related human services field, or equivalent experience.
Experience: Three to six months experience, including internships and on-the-job training, in a Probate/Family Court- Juvenile Division or related child welfare agency.
Qualifications:
Knowledge of policies and procedures for the department.
Knowledge of local organizations that provide community services.
Skill in obtaining a drug screen, Oral (lab and instant) and Urine (lab and instant).
Skill in operating a copy machine, fax, email and other basic office tools.
Ability to build a relationship with other agencies, educational platforms, mental health service providers; Child Protective Services, Department of Health and Human Services, Community Mental Health and Visitation Programs.
Ability to use handcuffs and complete a pat down search as necessary.
Ability to work at times under pressure, adapt to any situation and work in a team environment as well as individually.
Ability to multi-task, be creative and think outside of the box.

Other Requirements: Valid Michigan driver’s license. Completion of Michigan Judicial Institute Certification for Juvenile Court staff within two years from date of employment.
The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, nut as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Worker’s Compensation Code: 7720/8832                                                 
Occupational Employment Statistical Code: 21911

Physical Requirements {This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the following requirements and working conditions. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements}:
Climbing stairs and otherwise accessing homes, schools and other building in order to conduct interview and gather information.
Ability to conduct home inspections and visits.
Ability to access schools, community agencies and other facilities used as referral or information sources.
Ability to access departmental files.
Driving to various sites to conduct interview and follow-up on youth and families 

Working Conditions:
Exposure to various weather conditions while conducting field work
Exposure to youth/families with various emotional problems and violent youth and their parents and others, including visits to the homes of offenders.
Exposure to urine specimens
Required to be available for calls evenings and weekends
Exposure to communicable diseases of clients and families
Exposure to homes of various states of cleanliness and hygiene