Family And Juvenile Court Improvement Program Coordinator

***NOTE*** To be considered for this position, please apply at the Skagit County Job Opportunity site:

http://agency.governmentjobs.com/skagitwa/default.cfm

The Family and Juvenile Court Improvement Program (FJCIP) incorporates Unified Family Court (UFC) principles in a model that allows flexible implementation centered on core elements, including stable leadership, education, and case management support. In addition to the core elements, the FJCIP coordinator gathers and analyzes data which is then shared with local dependency stakeholder groups working on system improvement. Using data, research, and the experience of peer courts across the state, the FJCIP Coordinator convenes local system partners to identify opportunities for improvement, undertake meaningful practice change, and assess the effectiveness of their efforts. The FJCIP Coordinator works with court and system leaders to foster a court culture that is trauma-responsive, equitable and respectful of families, community members and system professionals.

This position coordinates and manages the FJCIP. The person in this position builds the program, monitors results and directs activities, including facilitation of interagency conversations, program planning and evaluation.

This position will report to the Superior Court Administrator.

Salary upon hire is $33.10/hr to $35.46/hr (step 1 through 3) depending upon qualifications.

Progressive increases are based upon years of service with Skagit County, up to step 10 (top step is $44.03/hr.). The Family andJuvenile Court Improvement Program Coordinator (Superior Court) is Range 15 of the Non-rep salary schedule.

NOTE- This position is contingent upon grant funding. In the event grant funding is discontinued, this position may be reduced in hours or eliminated.

Essential Functions:

• Ensures compliance with statutory and grant requirements of the FJCIP, including maintaining and monitoring necessary records, statistics and outcomes; facilitates applicable training and development to ensure compliance with state requirements.
• Plans, manages, monitors and evaluates projects related to the FJCIP aimed at identifying and correcting problem areas in the efficiency and effectiveness of the program, case management, and/or services; develops criteria to measure and assess the success of the program.
• Researches, analyzes and advises on service needs, process changes and other court models; assists with development and implementation of new programs.
• Independently reviews, analyzes, prioritizes program related activities.
• Creates case screening criteria and case management objectives; monitors compliance with case processing standards.
• Creates and writes program literature such as program pamphlets, manuals, forms, handbooks and procedures.
• Collaborates with DCYF and court partners to identify and address areas in the system where there are inequitable outcomes and disproportionate impacts on BIPOC families and youth.
• Participates in community outreach efforts and activities. Plans community events.
• Coordinates training for judicial officers, ensuring that judicial officers meet training requirements and have access to effective educational resources.
• Participates in continuing education programs, sponsored by AOC and others, focused on subjects relating to families and youth in the child welfare system, and the legal and court rule requirements of Family and Juvenile Court.
• Identifies areas in need of improvement, training and programs to improve efficiencies and provide input in the monthly FJCIP Community of Practice Meetings.
• Facilitates scheduling, filing, and reporting of genetic testing of children and alleged fathers in dependency cases as part of the “Finding Fathers” program.
• Produces periodic reports for the Administrative Office of the Courts, including but not limited to spending and local improvement plan, semi-annual reports, and the expenditure report.
• Assists with statewide Court Improvement efforts.
• Regularly collects, assembles and distributes data to court leadership and system partners.
• Serves as a point of communication with court partners and stakeholders for dependency operations.
• Manages and facilitates cross-system meetings and workgroups focused on understanding and continuously improving court programs and processes to achieve better outcomes for families and professionals.
• Develops relationships and works collaboratively with the court, system partners, and community supports to implement court programs, processes and system changes.
• Assesses the needs of families, caregivers and court partners engaged in the dependency and family court systems.
• Coordinates with the court and partner agencies to ensure that court and community resources are understood by and easily assessable to court participants and judicial officers.
• Researches and analyzes dependency court case management data and related indicators. Uses the research to identify and propose changes that will better enable the court to meet the needs of the families and youth involved with the dependency court process.
• Fosters a learning environment for court staff, system partners, and community members.
• Coordinates with the clerk’s office on dependency case linking and coding as determined by dependency statistical data needs.
• Coordinates dockets and works with various parties, including pro se petitioners, attorneys, minors, social workers, guardians ad litem, judicial officers, and social workers.
• Participates in special projects at the direction of the assigned Dependency Judge and/or Commissioner.
• Prepares, updates, and distributes policy and procedures manuals, forms and other materials as needed. Facilitates implementation and compliance with policies and procedures as directed by the judicial officer.
• Adjusts and enhances the implemented program(s) based on program feedback, decisions from the overseeing judicial officer(s) and team, and best practices as identified by state and national therapeutic court studies and associations.
• Assists Superior Court in developing budget and budget reports for the County, State and federal funding agencies.
• Stays abreast of best practices in dependency court through attendance at relevant trainings and meetings.
• Drafts and prepares correspondence, orders, and related court documents as directed.
• Regularly reports to the dependency court judicial officer(s) on the program, best practices, and other developments. Collaborates with the judicial officer(s) on direction for the dependency court programs.

Supervisory:
This position has no supervisory responsibility.

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:
May be tasked with performing related duties. Related duties as required are duties that may not be specifically listed in the position description but are within the general occupational series and responsibility level typically associated with the employee’s classification of work.

Minimum Qualifications:

Any combination of training and experience that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities is qualifying. A typical path to obtain the required qualifications would be:

A Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred

OR
High school diploma or G.E.D. AND Four (4) years of relevant experience such as training in family law, juvenile justice, and/or dependency area without a degree

Requires knowledge of:

• Management, organizational and supervisory practices and procedures.
• Budgetary practices and procedures.
• Problem-solving models, including facilitation of team-based decision making and problem solving.
• Case management approaches, service referral, and available behavioral health and social service resources.
• Best practices and trends in social services and family law
• Judicial and criminal justice systems
• Database systems to collect and analyze complex data
• Confidentiality requirements, policies and procedures.
• Criminal justice system and court operations.

Requires ability to:

• Exercise good judgment as to when to act independently and when to refer situations to higher authority.
• Plan and organize work, maintain flexibility, and manage time.
• Work effectively in a multi-task environment and take appropriate initiative.
• Apply good judgment, creativity, and logical thinking to obtain potential solutions to problems.
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
• Work well in a team environment yet work independently
• Develop written policies and procedures, memoranda of agreement.
• Apply written guidelines and other policies and procedures to local court operations.
• Collect, analyze and summarize data to inform program operations.
• Compile and synthesize relevant information into efficient reports to assist team members in decision making, documenting actions and carrying out court operations.
• Facilitate resolution of conflicts among team members or between team members and others.
• Communicate effectively and competently with culturally and socio-economically diverse populations.
• Exercise tact and discretion in obtaining cooperation of others.
• Maintain a professional demeanor during stressful and/or hostile situations.
• Operate standard office equipment including computer and database applications.
• Use advanced Microsoft Office word processing, spreadsheets, and database applications
• Establish and maintain effective working relationship with clients, families, public and private officials and the general public
• Apply abstract principles, guidelines, and concepts to concrete work situations
• Work with persons from a variety of backgrounds
• Collect and analyze complex data and present conclusions and recommendations to stakeholders

Licenses and/or Certifications:

• CPR Training. (Training can be taken after hire date).
• Court Safety Training. (Training can be taken after hire date)
• Mental Health First Aid Training. (Training can be taken after hire date)
• Valid Washington State driver's license.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work is performed primarily in an office and courtroom environment with some driving to and from the Jail Courtroom and outpatient treatment facilities. May involve some off-site work for retreats and engagement with program participants. Position requires some lifting, bending, reaching. Physical travel away from the office is required for various meetings, conferences, and training sessions.

Hazards:
Those present in a normal office environment. Possible carpel tunnel syndrome due to extended periods of keystroking. Danger of physical harm may occasionally be present in the courtroom.

Supplemental Information:

Skagit County, as an equal employment opportunity employer, encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

It is the policy of Skagit County to follow all federal and state laws to ensure non-discrimination in its employment practices. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the essential functions of this position, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned, including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload. Changes to the position description may be made at the discretion of the employer.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $33.10 - $35.46 per hour

Expected hours: 40 per week

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift

Ability to Relocate:

• Mount Vernon, WA 98273: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person