Dependency Coordinator

The Dependency Program Coordinator is responsible for coordinating dependency caseloads, scheduling, clerical support, and related administrative functions for the Juvenile Court. This position serves as the primary dependency contact within the Clerk’s Office and works closely with the Juvenile Court Judges, Clerk of Court, deputy clerks, attorneys, DFCS, CASA, service providers, and other court partners to ensure court matters are scheduled, processed, tracked, and managed efficiently. The Dependency Program Coordinator may also assist with broader Clerk’s Office support, court procedures, workflows, court-supported initiatives, and general court operational matters as needed. The position requires strong organizational skills, sound judgment, discretion, professionalism, confidentiality, and the ability to communicate effectively with court staff, attorneys, agency partners, families, and the public.The following duties are representative of the work required for this job. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. 
Case Coordination and Clerk’s Office Support

• Serves as the primary Clerk’s Office contact for dependency cases and dependency-related court matters.
• Assists with the coordination, processing, tracking, and management of dependency matters (including shelter care hearings, adjudications, dispositions, review hearings, permanency plan hearings, motions, emergency matters, and specially set hearings) and other Juvenile Court matters as assigned.
• Processes, tracks, and assists with petitions, motions, orders, notices, calendars, and other court filings in accordance with court procedures and applicable legal requirements.
• Enters, updates, and maintains case information in the court’s case management system.
• Assists with assigning matters to the appropriate judge, calendar, hearing type, or court process.
• Prepares, maintains, and distributes court calendars, with primary responsibility for dependency calendars and related matters.
• Tracks upcoming hearings, statutory deadlines, review requirements, and other time-sensitive court matters.
• Coordinates courtroom assignment, hearing dates, and hearing logistics, including in-person and virtual hearing needs when authorized by the Court.
• Ensures judges have necessary documents, reports, filings, and case information before court.
• Coordinates with the Clerk of Court to ensure court records, calendars, filings, and orders are processed accurately and timely.
• Provides customer service and information, as appropriate, to attorneys, parties, agency representatives, court personnel, and the public while maintaining confidentiality and avoiding legal advice.
• Serves as an on-call rotation to handle emergency calls related to dependency cases.

Agency and Stakeholder Coordination

• Serves as a liaison between Juvenile Court, the Clerk’s Office, DFCS, SAAGs, parent attorneys, child attorneys, CASA, service providers, and other dependency stakeholders.
• Coordinates with DFCS and SAAGs regarding court dates, case status, required reports, pending filings, and hearing preparation needs.
• Communicates with parent attorneys, child attorneys, CASA, and other approved parties regarding scheduling and court-related administrative matters.
• Assists with dependency stakeholder meetings, staffing meetings, partner meetings, and other collaborative efforts as directed by the judges or Clerk of Court.
• Helps ensure that dependency court partners receive timely and accurate information regarding hearing dates, court expectations, and administrative procedures.
• Maintains professional working relationships with court personnel, attorneys, agencies, service providers, and the public.

Workflow, Compliance, and Program Development

• Assists in developing and maintaining written procedures for dependency case-flow, scheduling, hearing preparation, filings, and order processing.
• Assists with the development of court-related procedures and workflows that support the efficient operation of the Juvenile Court.
• Identifies inefficiencies in dependency case processing and general court operations and recommends practical improvements to the Clerk of Court and judges.
• Assists with data collection and reporting related to dependency case volume, hearing timeliness, permanency measures, docket management, and court performance.
• Helps develop dependency-related court initiatives, programs, or practices that support children, families, and court efficiency.
• Assists with court-supported initiatives designed to improve case management, family engagement, service coordination, and outcomes for children and families.
• Coordinates, as directed, dependency-related trainings, partner meetings, resource lists, family engagement initiatives, or court-supported programs.
• Maintains awareness of community-based services, family support resources, placement-related resources, and programs that may assist children and families involved in dependency proceedings.
• Attends training as necessary to remain informed regarding dependency court procedures, juvenile court practices, case management systems, confidentiality requirements, and applicable court policies.

The Dependency Program Coordinator should possess, at a minimum, a high school diploma or equivalent and relevant administrative support experience. A bachelor’s degree, or other college-level diploma or coursework is preferred, but not required. An equivalent combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position may also be considered.
NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must pass the ADVANCED level of the Macon-Bibb County skills test. 
• Possession of a valid Georgia Motor Vehicle Operator’s License.

The Dependency Program Coordinatormust possess, or have the ability to develop, the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Knowledge of Juvenile Court procedures, court calendars, hearing types, legal terminology, court documentation, and general court operations.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, laws, rules, procedures, and timelines applicable to dependency and other Juvenile Court matters.
• Ability to read, understand, analyze, and apply legal documents, court orders, statutes, policies, procedures, and other written materials with accuracy and sound judgment.
• Ability to think critically, identify issues, solve problems, and make practical recommendations related to court operations and case-flow.
• Ability to organize work, manage competing priorities, maintain accurate records, and track time-sensitive court matters.
• Ability to coordinate hearings, calendars, filings, notices, orders, case materials, and communication among judges, court staff, attorneys, agencies, and other court partners.
• Ability to exercise discretion, professionalism, confidentiality, diplomacy, and sound judgment in a court setting.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both orally and in writing, with judges, attorneys, court personnel, agency representatives, families, and the public.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office, email, court management systems, case tracking tools, and other technology necessary for court operations.
• Ability to work independently, learn quickly, take initiative, adapt to changing needs, and follow through on assignments.
• Ability to assist with workflow coordination, court-supported initiatives, and operational improvements designed to promote efficient court administration.