CLASSIFICATION TITLE: Chief Referee (Friend of the Court) SALARY: $100,069.69 - $129,431.78 DEPARTMENT: Friend Of The Court Opening Date: 09/10/2024 Closing Date: 09/24/2024 12:00 a.m. FLSA STATUS: Exempt EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP: At-will position under County Human Resources Policy GENERAL SUMMARY: Under direction of Department Administration, serves as the Friend of the Court's liaison to Family Division Judges and local bar associations on domestic relation matters. Supervises the Referee and Custody Investigation divisions. Oversees the assignment of cases referred by the Court for status conferences, settlement conferences, motion hearings, evidentiary hearings, mediations, facilitations, and arbitrations. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Serves as the Friend of the Court's liaison to Family Division Judges and local bar associations on domestic relation matters. Conducts informal hearings, status conferences, settlement conferences, interviews, mediations, and facilitations. Conducts formal hearings in the form of motions, evidentiary hearings and arbitrations. Supervises the Referee and Custody Counselor/Analyst divisions. Supervises caseload distribution among Referees and Custody Counselor/Analyst. Monitors reports and recommendations of Referees and Custody Counselor/Analyst. Recommends default orders that establish, modify or enforce support obligations in domestic matters. Conducts hearings as provided for in the Support and Visitation Enforcement Act. Administers oaths, compels the attendance of witnesses, and may order the production of documents. Examines and questions witnesses and parties. Authors written, signed reports to the Court containing a summary of testimony given, a statement of findings and a recommended order, or makes a statement of findings on the record and submits recommended orders. Conducts legal research on the application of relevant law to matters pertinent to the Friend of the Court. Performs legal research in printed legal materials and computer assisted materials. Participates in continuing legal education. Monitors new legal materials, including but not limited to, newspapers, professional journals, and opinions of state and federal courts. Prepares documents using a computer and word processing program(s). Assists with professional staff employment interviews. Assists the public by answering questions and issuing information as needed. Operates an automobile to perform assigned job functions. Performs related duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS: Required Education and Experience: * Juris Doctor Degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school * A minimum of five (5) years of experience in the practice of Friend of the Court, domestic relations law, or a related legal field Required Licenses or Certifications: * Current membership and in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan * Possession of a valid Michigan driver's license and operable, insured automobile for authorized travel COMPETENCIES FOR SUCCESSFUL PERFORMANCE OF JOB DUTIES: Knowledge of: * Domestic relation case law * Statutes and the Michigan Rules of Evidence * The Circuit Court and Friend of the Court systems including the Michigan Child Support Enforcement System (MiCSES) and OnBase Imaging System * Knowledge of child development and effects of divorce on children * Community Resources * Legal terminology and court procedures * Current office equipment and technology, including computers and applications sufficient to research the law, draft memorandums of law, and produce reports Skill in: * Negotiation and mediation * Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature * Assigning, prioritizing, monitoring, and reviewing work assignments Ability to: * Interview litigants, attorneys, and children as appropriate * Review reports and recommendations, make sound analysis, and reduce information to clear, concise written form * Research, analyze and report on complex or technical legal issues * Distill and present legal findings in a clear and concise manner * Exercise independent sound judgment and initiative in analyzing problems and recommending solutions * Organize and take initiative * Maintain a high level of confidentiality * Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the Circuit Court Family Division, Elected Officials, Administrators, Department Heads, staff, union officials, State Bar, and the public * Accurately organize and maintain paper documents and electronic files * Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries * Work independently * Conduct oneself with tact and courtesy * Work in an environment which embraces the county's Dignity Campaign * Effectively speak, write and understand the English language * Effectively speak, write and understand a language other than English is preferred * Understand and carry out oral and/or written instructions WORK ENVIRONMENT/CONDITIONS: The work environment and exposures described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously Work Environment Office or similar indoor environment: F/C Outdoor environment: N/S Street environment (near moving traffic): N/S Construction site: N/S Confined space: N/S Exposures Individuals who are hostile or irate: O Individuals with known violent backgrounds: O Extreme cold (below 32 degrees): N/S Extreme heat (above 100 degrees): N/S Communicable diseases: N/S Moving mechanical parts: N/S Fumes or airborne particles: N/S Toxic or caustic chemicals, substances, or waste: N/S Loud noises (85+ decibels): O Blood Borne Pathogens: N/S PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. N/S=Never/Seldom O=Occasionally F/C= Frequently/Continuously Demand: Balancing on even or uneven surfaces/ground: O Bending (forward or backward bending at the waist): O Climbing up or down stairs, ladders, scaffolding and platforms: N/S Crawling (moving about on hands and knees). Inspecting in confined spaces: N/S Digging: N/S Driving on sealed and unsealed roads: N/S Grasping, gripping, holding, clasping with fingers or hands: F/C Kneeling to work at low levels: N/S Manual Dexterity (fine finger movements i.e., keyboard operating, writing): F/C Lift/Carry/Move objects from one level/position to another: Up to 10 pounds: O Up to 50 pounds: N/S More than 50 pounds: N/S Over 100 pounds: N/S Push/Pull objects away from or towards the body: N/S Reaching overhead (arms raised above the shoulder) or forward reaching (arms extended): O Sitting in a seated position during the task performance: F/C Standing in an upright position without movement: F/C Walking considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: O Running considerable distances in the facility on multiple surfaces: N/S GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND DISCLAIMERS Complies with P.A. 390, as amended, known as the State's Emergency Management Act and the County's Emergency Management resolution as well as all related plans, policies and procedures covered by those statutes. The intent of this job description is to provide a representative summary of the major duties and responsibilities performed by employees in this job. Employees may be requested to perform job-related tasks other than those specifically presented in this description. Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment amongst other possible accommodations.