Family Relations Division - Courthouse - Court Services Representative

Allen County

Job Descriptions

COURT SERVICES REPRESENTATIVE

Under the direction of the Administrator of CHINS, the Court Services Representative is responsible for facilitating, scheduling, and executing essential functions of the Family Relations Division, in particular the intake and resolution of domestic relations, adoption and Children in Need of Services (CHINS) abuse/neglect cases.  This position is covered under the Superior Court Employee Handbook.  This is an employee-at-will position.    

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Responsible for receiving pleadings and issuing court orders as authorized by the Judge on domestic relations and adoption cases.
• Reviews adoption cases for accuracy and completeness of paperwork to ensure that files are ready for final hearing.

• Enters orders related to cases filed in the Family Relations Division, including findings, notices, letters and related correspondence into statewide software applications. 
• Responsible for conducting abuse and neglect case facilitations in compliance with local trial rules and in coordination with initial and dispositional hearing schedules.
• Coordinates Alternative Dispute Resolution services in Domestic Relations cases, including the development and maintenance of the court’s civil arbitration program.

• Coordinates self-represented litigant services in Domestic Relations cases, including operational coordination of the court’s self-represented litigant clinic.
• Assists in scheduling dependency/domestic relations and adoption cases for three judicial officers.
• Prepares memos, letters, statistical reports and other department correspondence.
• Responsible for assisting the public, answering telephones and returning calls, performing scheduling tasks, and accessing court case files.

• Coordinates the court’s Mental Health Track, Family Court Project and other court improvement programs.

• Participates in special events that contribute toward public awareness of and utilization of Court services, including Adoption Day, pro se days,  mediation days, CLE training and Conference on Youth.
• Performs all other duties as assigned, including overtime as required.

REQUIREMENTS:

• High School Diploma or GED with specialized training beyond High School in Paralegal or Criminal Justice Fields and more than one year of court related experience
• Ability to pass applicable Indiana Supreme Court and case management certifications in order to use INCite, Odyssey, and Quest Case Management Systems
• Familiarity with intake of pleadings and issuance of notices, pleading and certain court orders in order to assist litigants and attorneys with the filing and processing of accurate pleadings
• Familiarity with Indiana Code Title 31/CHINS, adoption, paternity, dissolution and child support, as well as court policies and procedures governing domestic relations filings

REQUIREMENTS: (continued)

• Understanding of federal, state, and local trial rules and statutes governing CHINS and domestic relations case processing and scheduling
• Strong computer skills with the ability to use Microsoft Office and other job related software
• Ability to use computer, court recording equipment, copier, scanner, fax and other job related equipment
• Familiarity with electronic document production and filing techniques
• Ability to type at least 40 WPM

DIFFICULTY OF WORK:

The Court Services Representative performs work that is moderately complex when receiving pleadings and issuing court orders as authorized by the judge.  Understanding of court policies, procedures and federal and state statutes related to CHINS, domestic relations and adoption cases in order to review cases for accuracy and completeness of paperwork.

RESPONSIBILITY:

The Court Services Representative performs work that requires some analysis and judgment when conducting abuse and neglect case facilitations and reviewing domestic relations cases.  Errors in work are not immediately apparent, but are revealed through adverse effects on subsequent operations.

PERSONAL WORK RELATIONSHIPS:

The Court Services Representative maintains frequent contact with other County employees, personnel from related government and social agencies, and members of the general public when facilitating, scheduling and executing essential functions of the Family Relations Division.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The Court Services Representative works in and out of an office setting with frequent sitting and the ability to move about freely.  Frequent lifting of up to forty pounds and some bending, pushing/pulling loads, reaching overhead and kneeling is required.  Frequent mental/visual effort and detailed inspection exist and very frequent typing, attention to detail, monitoring of equipment and proofreading is to be expected.

SUPERVISION:

None

LICENSING:

None

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR:

Administrator of CHINS

HOURS:

8:00 am – 4:30 pm; 37.5 hours/week; overtime as required

EEO CATEGORY:

0106

WORKERS’S COMP CODE:

8820