Weekend Court Observer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Department: Office of Juvenile Officer

County or State funded: County

Exempt of Non-exempt: Exempt

Paygrade: C-120

Salary pay range: $73,944.00 - $92,414.40

Basic Function and Responsibility:

This is complex and varied professional legal work in providing research, counsel and representation of the chief juvenile officer. The trial team leader and the chief juvenile officer and designee(s), have an attorney-client relationship and the managing attorney for the chief juvenile officer acts as legal counsel to, and a representative of, the chief juvenile officer and designee(s) by providing legal research, analysis, counsel and representation of the chief juvenile officer in hearings, trials and appeals, and ensuring the effective execution of legal services, consistent with the direction of the chief juvenile officer, seeking results consistent with the statutory responsibilities and directives of the chief juvenile officer and in the best interest of the children and families served by the court. The trial team leader leads a team of staff members, including but not limited to, attorneys and paralegals, organizing work assigned and ensuring work performance standards are met by team members. The trial team leader may serve as "acting" juvenile officer in the absence of the chief juvenile officer and chief deputy juvenile officer. The trial team leader will effectively communicate within the office, and with other juvenile offices, court administration, agency partners, community stakeholders, and community members.

Appointing Authority and Supervision Received:

The chief juvenile officer is the appointing authority and provides general supervision. The trail team leader will receive direct supervision by the chief deputy juvenile officer.

Supervision Exercised:

This position is responsible for the supervision of attorneys and paralegals.

Characteristic and Assigned Duties: (The following duties are representative of the position and do not include all duties which may be performed.)

• Provide timely and effective legal representation to the chief juvenile officer.
• Maintain an active caseload and manage the daily work of staff responsible for the intake, screening, filing decisions, and litigation of cases consistent with statutory authority, applicable caselaw, rules of procedure and evidence, consistent with best practices in child welfare, and the operational procedures and directives of the chief juvenile officer, while considering the best interest of the children and families served by the court. This involves court appearances and preparation for trials and hearings through legal research, conferring with appropriate parties and timely drafting of legal briefs, pleadings and memoranda, in order to recommend, seek, and achieve an appropriate disposition to meet juveniles' needs and best interests.
• Provide leadership, supervision, guidance and training to staff in all aspects of intake, screening, filing decisions, and litigation functions, which includes case review, consultation and personal observation of staff attorneys, paralegals, and administrative assistants, to provide critical analysis of skills and techniques, and provide training and support as needed.
• Investigate and resolve staff disciplinary matters or recommend appropriate action.
• Ensure the proper completion and retention of office records.
• Investigate and resolve operational challenges and provide input regarding resolution to leadership.
• Rotate on-call attorney responsibilities with other attorneys within the office, to ensure availability of an attorney for agency partners including evenings, weekends and holidays, and to review referrals for appropriate filing/disposition.
• Participate in interview process and make hiring recommendations.
• Attend meetings to represent the juvenile office, as assigned by the chief juvenile officer.
• Maintain and increase knowledge and skill of juvenile law, trial and appellate work, by reviewing trends, legislation, statutes and case law on a state and federal level and by attending educational conferences and trainings.
• Receive calls during off duty hours and respond to problems as required, which may involve return to work site.
• Perform other duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: (This job description does not include specific physical requirements necessary to perform the job, such as, carrying, standing and lifting. Such requirements vary from position to position and may be determined by the appointing authority.)

• Knowledge of general law, state laws, established precedent and sources of legal references.
• Considerable knowledge of federal and state law and regulations as applicable to the safety, care, treatment and discipline of children.
• Considerable knowledge of the rules of evidence, and practice and procedure in state trial and appellate courts.
• Ability to analyze and apply legal principles and specialized knowledge related to individual cases and issues, in effective written form and oral presentations.
• Ability to implement best practices regarding principles, methods and techniques as applicable to the safety, care, treatment and discipline of children. Ability to implement best practices regarding supervisory and management techniques, and to organize, direct, coordinate, and motivate work in a manner conducive to employees' full performance and high morale.
• Ability to analyze a variety of administrative challenges and implement effective solutions.
• Ability to work and relate in a positive fashion toward individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds, and to establish and maintain effective working relationships within the Juvenile Office, and with other Juvenile Offices, agency partners, community stakeholders, the community and court administration.
• Ability to conduct effective training and presentations for employees, agency partners, community stakeholders, and the community.
• Ability to make and implement complex decisions in accordance with statutes, caselaw, regulations, rules of procedure, policies, operational procedures, and directives of the chief juvenile officer and designee(s).
• Ability to effectively speak publicly, and to communicate effectively, clearly and concisely, verbally and in written format.
• Knowledge and strict observance of ethics and professional responsibility incumbent upon lawyers, including maintenance of confidential information.
• Ability to operate standard office machines, including a personal computer, computer software and programs, and case management software.
• Knowledge of child development is beneficial.

Minimum Qualifications: (Equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted on a year-for-year basis, provided a high school diploma or GED has been obtained.)

Graduation from an accredited law school and five years actively practicing law, including three years specializing in juvenile or family law, and a minimum of five years of litigation experience.

Supervisory experience for a minimum of one year is preferred.

Necessary Special Requirement:

Current license to practice law in the State of Missouri and membership in good standing with the Missouri Bar Association.

All candidates selected for employment will be subject to background screenings as part of the hiring process. Certain positions may also require additional checks, including but not limited to education verification, child abuse and neglect clearances, drug screenings, and physical assessments, as applicable to the responsibilities of the role.

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