Juvenile Director and Referee

Juvenile Court Director/Referee

Clare and Gladwin Counties, Michigan

Salary and benefits

$80,000 to $100,000 DOE with full benefits (health and retirement)

Application deadline

Open Until Hired

Primary location

City of Harrison and Gladwin

Position overview

Clare and Gladwin Counties are seeking an experienced professional to serve as Juvenile Court Director/Referee. This position combines quasi-judicial responsibilities with administrative leadership, presiding over juvenile delinquency and child protective proceedings while directing the non-judicial functions of the juvenile court.

The Director/Referee plays a central role in designing, implementing, and evaluating programs that support court-involved youth and families.

The role at a glance

Judicial functions

• Preside over delinquency and child protective hearings
• Take testimony and evidence
• Prepare recommended findings and proposed orders
• Advise parties of review and appellate rights
• Rotating on-call coverage for after-hours matters

Administrative functions

• Design and evaluate programs and interventions
• Supervise, train, and evaluate staff
• Pursue grants and other funding
• Administer contracts and budgets
• Report to the Board of Commissioners and state agencies

ResponsibilitiesJudicial functions

• Preside over preliminary inquiries, preliminary hearings, and other assigned delinquency and child protective proceedings
• Prepare timely recommended findings, conclusions, and proposed orders
• Serve on an on-call basis for after-hours placement decisions and abuse and neglect emergencies

Program and court administration

• Develop short- and long-range strategies to reduce delinquency and re-offense, protect public safety, and safeguard children who have experienced abuse or neglect
• Expand community-based supervision, treatment, and case management services
• Direct program evaluation and quality assurance
• Administer contracts for legal services, treatment programming, medical services, and out-of-county bed rental

Personnel management

• Supervise, train, and evaluate staff; participate in hiring, scheduling, and discipline
• Administer collective bargaining agreements

Court representation and collaboration

• Monitor legislation, court rules, and policy affecting the Child Care Fund, detention, foster care, and child welfare
• Report to the Board of Commissioners, SCAO, DHHS, Community Mental Health, and funders
• Coordinate with the prosecuting attorney, defense counsel, Children’s Protective Services, and probation staff

Qualifications

Minimum

• Active Michigan law license in good standing, required for the full range of hearings this position handles
• One year of professional experience in juvenile court, child welfare, or a related legal or human services field

Preferred

• Juris Doctor from an accredited law school
• Two or more years in juvenile or family law, or comparable judicial or quasi-judicial experience
• Fair and impartial hearing management, including with self-represented litigants
• Strong writing skills; supervisory, budgeting, and grant experience

Knowledge areas

• Michigan Juvenile Code (MCL 712A) and Michigan Court Rules (MCR 3.900 et seq.)
• Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act, Michigan Child Care licensing rules, and American Correctional Association accreditation standards
• Michigan Juvenile Justice Benchbook and SCAO standards

How to apply

Mail your resume and references to: Probate Court, 225 W. Main St., Harrison, MI 48625; You may email your resume and references to: sswan@clareco.net

Applications shall be received until the position is filled.

Pay: $80,000.00 - $100,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Education:

• Doctorate (Required)

Experience:

• Legal counsel: 1 year (Required)

Ability to Commute:

• Harrison, MI 48625 (Required)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $80,000 - $100,000