Court Investigator

Job Description:

Court Investigator

Description

Position Description:
Essential Functions, Duties, and Responsibilities:

PROBATE DIVISION:

• Under general supervision, conducts investigations into guardianship cases, guardian complaints, and prepares reports with investigative findings; investigates and prepares reports as to the appropriateness of guardianship and whether or not a less restrictive alternative exists.
• Serves notice upon subjects of guardianship/conservatorship proceedings.
• Serves documents upon individuals that are alleged to be a person with a mental illness subject to court order.
• Investigates whether or not there is a continued need for a guardianship; investigates and identifies potential successor guardians; uses online data bases and other sources of information to find unresponsive guardians.
• Reviews guardian’s annual reports and statements of expert evaluation.
• Coordinates and maintains contacts with community agencies and boards, other courts, nursing facilities and other health care facilities; provides testimony in court proceedings; gathers, organizes, and analyzes guardianship data.

JUVENILE DIVISION:

• Works with families, social workers, hospitals and attorneys to complete investigations of parties, family, and youth as ordered by the Judge and Magistrates.
• Provides the Judge and Magistrates with complete social histories and investigative findings that aid in the disposition of primarily custody related matters and in some instances, abuse, neglect, dependency cases and other investigations as ordered by the Court including certifications from other counties or other courts.
• Conducts home visits and inspects residences as ordered by the Judge and Magistrates and reports findings to the Court both verbally and in writing.
• Conducts kinship and family member investigations, collects and reports information to the Court.
• Makes appropriate referrals to law enforcement, child welfare and adult protective agencies, and community partners.
• Complies with all requests for information, which may include random drug testing, and reports findings.
• Interviews age appropriate minors during the course of an investigation to help validate findings.

BOTH PROBATE AND JUVENILE DIVISIONS:

• Documents investigations, prepares formal reports, and testifies as needed for assigned cases.
• Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations within the field of court investigation, and completes continuing education.
• Provides back-up for Deputy Clerk and/or Court Security Officer duties, as needed or assigned.
• Other duties as assigned by the Judge, Magistrates and/or Court Administrator.

Program: Probate-Juvenile Division Brief Description:
This position researches, evaluates, conducts investigations, and prepares reports regarding court ordered matters for the Licking County Probate-Juvenile Court, to include, but not limited to, conservatorships, guardianships, and/or custody matters. The Court Investigator also interacts with a variety of court staff, judicial officers, litigants, family members, the public, and other community agencies and stakeholders and gathers necessary information for the Court.
Job Prerequisites:
Supervisory Responsibilities:

Minimum Qualifications:

Qualified individuals must be 21 years of age, shall possess a high school diploma, and shall hold a bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, education, special education, or a related human services field. Experience in family services, law enforcement, social services, legal and/or investigations is preferred and the education requirement can be waived with equivalent experience. Valid State Operator’s License is required. Probate Court Investigator training must be completed within one year of employment.

Preferred Knowledge, Skill and Ability:

Knowledge of:

• Computer software within assigned area.
• Pertinent federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations.
• Adult psychopathology and the dynamics of family dysfunction.
• Effects of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse on children and families.
• Principles and practices of child development concepts, counseling families and children.
• Psychological, social, cultural and economic factors which influence individual and group behavior.
• Functions and procedures of the Probate process regarding guardianship and conservatorship cases.
• Effects of substance abuse and domestic violence on children, families, elderly and dependent adults, and the developmentally disabled.
• Principles and practices of writing concise accurate reports; documentation, assessment, evaluation and recommendation components.
• Characteristics, capacities and health care needs of elderly adults, the chronically ill, or developmentally and/or psychiatrically disabled children and adults.
• Interviewing and assessment techniques for evaluating families with multiple and complex psychological, social, cultural, economic issues, and dependent adults under conservatorship/guardianship.

Ability to:

• Prepare clear and concise reports.
• Travel outside of the Court as needed.
• Interpret, apply, and explain Court policies and procedures.
• Act as a liaison of the Court and testify in court proceedings as needed.
• Work with individuals who are emotionally unstable and volatile at times.
• Collect, analyze and evaluate a variety legal reports and investigation materials.
• Analyze problems, identify solutions, and project consequences of proposed actions.
• Work independently with minimal direction from others while meeting crucial deadlines.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing especially during difficult circumstances.
• Utilize available resources, such as computer software and information databases to conduct in-depth searches.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work including court officials and the general public.

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, sit, reach with hands and arms, and climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move. The employee must be able to climb stairs, run quickly, and act immediately in an emergency situation. Ability to understand verbal instructions and communicate effectively is a must.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Compensation:
Commensurate with experience ( Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance Benefits, Ohio Public Employees Retirement System, Paid Holiday, Sick, Vacation, Personal Leave )
About UFA:
Licking County Court of Common Pleas, Probate-Juvenile Division, is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Closing Date/Time: Open Until Filled