Friend of the Court Clerk I

Under the supervision of the Assistant Friend of the Court for Operations, provides clerical and case processing support for the Friend of the Court. Performs caseflow management functions in substantive and procedural compliance with the Michigan Court Rules. Prepares the daily court schedule, types correspondence and various legal documents, and provides a variety of other clerical and customer support functions. This is a full-time, benefited position working out of the Family Justice Center located at 12240 Fillmore Street, West Olive, MI 49460 and working out of the Grand Haven Court House located at 414 Washington Ave. Grand Haven, MI 49417. Typical working hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

The essential functions of this position include, but are not limited to, the following: Assists customers on the phone and at the counter, explaining Friend of the Court policy and procedures for child support, custody, and parenting time matters; providing information with respect to scheduled hearing dates and appointments; referring calls and inquiries requiring immediate attention to appropriate staff; and referring customers to other community agencies as appropriate. Responds to client questions concerning the status of their respective cases, including amounts of arrearages, money held in suspense, tax offsets, and other issues, retrieving information from case management information system (MiCSES). Provides clients with a variety of forms required for use in petitioning the Court for modifications to support, parenting time and custody and forms requesting IV-D services and opting out of FOC services. Updating client information for investigators and providing customer assistance as appropriate. Bar codes, scans and indexes in-coming and out-going mail and other documents in order to maintain an accurate and updated imaged Friend of the Court file for each docket number. Types correspondence, orders and other court documents. Prepares and maintains the bench warrant list, ensuring that it is accurate and up-to-date and reflects changes in enforcement actions. Reviews judgments of divorce including Uniform Child Support Orders drafted by attorneys for substantive and procedural compliance and notifies the attorney of any required corrections needed prior to FOC approval. Prepares and processes incoming and outgoing mail. Enters case data into the caseflow management system (MiCSES). Generates a variety of caseflow management reports. Maintains investigators' appointment calendars and monitors hearing schedule in order to direct clients to proper courtrooms and keep investigators on schedule. Monitors inventories of office supplies and orders and reconciles supply invoices. Performs office opening and closing procedures, includes opening the safe and counting the daily cash drawer to ensure accuracy. Performs a variety of other support tasks such as copying documents and files, operating fax machines and copiers, preparing files for closure and storage off site and other related tasks. May perform other functions as necessary to ensure proper caseflow and timely adjudication of FOC cases.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS

Excellent customer relations/customer service skills. Good working knowledge of the Michigan Court Rules and State Court Administrative Office rules, regulations and requirements. Good working knowledge of Michigan Office of Child Support rules, regulations and requirements. Computer literacy, including working knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, database, accounting, imaging systems and MiCSES applications software. Fast and accurate keyboarding skills. Thorough knowledge of privacy requirements related to court records and FOC files. Knowledge of document imaging protocols and equipment operation. Excellent organizational skills and ability to prioritize the workload. Excellent verbal and written communications skills. Excellent interpersonal and human relations skills. Ability to interact positively and objectively with coworkers, officers of the court, clients, prosecutors, attorneys, and members of the general public from a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and with varying levels of communications skills.

NOTE:

Ability to communicate in Spanish, Lao, Cambodian or other language spoken by one or more ethnic groups residing in the county preferred.

Disclaimer:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice. Ottawa County is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

REQUIRED EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

Associate's degree from an accredited institution in legal studies, office management, business information systems or closely related field. Plus one (1) year of progressively responsible experience in a position requiring extensive public contact and fast, accurate keyboarding skills; or an equivalent combination of education, training and experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations, including, but not limited to, visual and/or audiological appliances and devices to increase mobility.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Work is generally performed in a normal office environment.