• SALARY: $24.63-$31.30 PER HOUR
• REPORTS TO JUVENILE COURT SUPERVISOR/TRIAL COURT ADMINSTRATOR
• 37.5 HOURS PER WEEK

GENERAL SUMMARY:

Conducts investigations and prepares petitions for cases involving juveniles. Prepares and reports observations and recommendations for disposition to Court. Develops comprehensive individual treatment and service plans subject to Court jurisdiction and assigned to diversion, consent or in-home care. Supervises assigned juveniles, maintains regular contact, and maintains related records and logs. Provides counseling
and guidance to youths and parents. Files and processes petitions for violation of probation and review
hearings. Completes required reports of caseload activity, contact log and case note summaries, and so forth
in accordance with established timeframes and standards.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. In response to complaints received from police, schools, agencies, parents and individuals concerning juveniles, conducts preliminary investigation, if necessary, makes initial determination of jurisdiction and legal standing, and prepares petitions for Court in accordance with established standards.
2. Conducts pre-disposition investigation of assigned cases which requires examination and evaluation of juvenile offenders’ home environments, school situations, and previous involvement with police or other agencies. Interviews youths, parents, teachers, counselors, social workers, police officers and so forth.  Reviews various records, psychological evaluations, reports, and the like. Assesses information and evaluative data collected, and prepares reports for Court concerning observations and recommendations for probationary terms, treatment, educational plans, placement, or other actions.
3. Develops individual treatment and service plans for assigned youths on diversion, consent or in-home care. Ensures plans are comprehensive, provide necessary background information, explain identified problems and specific measures for resolution, detail short- and long-range rehabilitative goals, and are completed in accordance with established timeframes and standards.
4. Supervises delinquent youth under Court jurisdiction and on diversion, which includes:
   • visiting or meeting with assigned youths in home, school or office to monitor progress and compliance with orders of disposition and other probation or diversion rules;
   • initiating appropriate interventions in response to problematic youth or home situations;
   • maintaining necessary logs and files, and required case record documentation, for each assigned case;
   • providing counseling to youths as appropriate in response to behavioral, emotional or psychological
   problems; and
   • counseling parents of youth and providing advice, suggestions, and information on parenting skills
   and resolving conflicts.
5. Responsible for responding to juvenile and mental health emergencies both during regular business hours, or when scheduled for on-call after hours, weekends or holidays. Provides crises intervention counseling and referral services, and maintains accurate record of contacts made.
6. Maintains cooperative working relationships with social service, education, mental health, and medical providers or agencies to obtain services for counseling, testing or guidance. Confers with outside professionals and agencies including police, schools, and detention facilities to obtain feedback and assessment of progress of youths in meeting treatment plan goals.
7. Files petitions for violation of probation and review hearing. In advance of scheduled hearings, provides Court with information pertaining to subject youth’s current status, problems encountered, treatment plan goals and progress, and recommendations for disposition. Attends formal hearings for assigned juveniles and responds to questions of the Court.
8. Prepares regular caseload activity reports for review by superiors and State Court Administrator’s Office. Prepares regular summary reports of contact logs and case notes. Prepares other summary of case management and results as requested.
9. Contributes to community relations and creating support and understanding of diversionary program by assisting with Court-sponsored alternative youth activities, and speaking to school classes and local civic organizations. Provides informal advice and guidance to minors and parents referred from various agencies or schools on Family Division functions and programs.
10. Facilitates various group meetings and programs intended to assist youths in building self-esteem, developing community involvement, acquiring skills in team work, avoiding incarceration, resolving substance abuse problems, and so forth.
11. Gathers and exchanges information with law enforcement agencies, victims, insurance companies, and other courts to determine amount of restitution owed by minor defendants.
12. Provides courtesy supervision of minors within County under the jurisdiction of other courts.
13. Performs all other duties and assignments as requested that are job related or necessary to execute County functions and services and support achievement of established goals and objectives.

EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS:

Education: Minimum Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work, Criminal Justice, or related field.
Experience: Minimum twelve to eighteen months on the job experience to acquire familiarity with Juvenile Division and Court procedures.
Certifications and/or Licenses: Current and valid State of Michigan driver’s license.

Must be certified/become certified/complete training to facilitate juvenile assessments under YLS, MAYSI2, and MJJAS Detention Tools.

Must successfully complete Juvenile Court Probation Certification within one year of employment.

Must pass criminal background check.

Send resumes to Bobbi Keefer, Court Administrator – bobbikeefer@co.lake.mi.us

Submission Deadline: May 22, 2026