What are the responsibilities and job description for the Personal Protection Order Docket Coordinator position at THIRD JUDICIAL CIRCUIT OF MICHIGAN?
SUMMARY:
Under the supervision of the Deputy Court Administrator, the Personal Protection Order (PPO) Docket Coordinator is responsible for managing a high-volume PPO docket. This role ensures that all PPO processing meets legal and court-mandated time standards and that cases with domestic and family violence indicators are managed in accordance with federal, state, and court rules. The coordinator is expected to maintain a professional appearance and demeanor.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
• Docket Supervision: Duties include managing the PPO docket and its time standards. This involves ensuring the prompt processing of PPO including petitions, motions, violation hearings and efficient docket scheduling. The coordinator prepares and reviews required reports.
• Collaboration: The role involves developing and implementing policies to improve the efficiency of PPO processing, working with stakeholders to achieve these goals and ensuring all processes and forms are current and up to date. Duties include building and maintaining positive relationships with community service agencies to ensure continued support for the PPO docket.
• Supervision: This role supervises reporting staff by identifying and assigning work, communicating work performance expectations, establishing professional development plans, providing training, implementing corrective action plans, approving time, assuring appropriate staffing coverage, conducting periodic performance reviews, supporting professional development, acknowledging accomplishments, providing assistance and issuing discipline.
• Education and Public Liaison: The coordinator acts as a liaison between the public, the court, and domestic violence advocates. This position also requires coordinating, scheduling and/or conducting training for assigned counsel and the Domestic Bench and Support staff and researching and developing lists of legal and social resources for PPO litigants and referring them to the same.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
• Graduate of an accredited law school.
• Member of State Bar of Michigan in good standing.
• Two (2) years of paid experience managing cases involving domestic violence, preferred.
• Two (2) years of paid legal, social services or high-impact/high-volume customer service work experience which involves face-to-face interaction with clients or the public as a Supervisor or Lead Worker, preferred.
• Knowledge of Michigan Court Rules, case law and statutes regarding PPOs, family law, and domestic violence.
• If an employee drives on behalf of the Court, the employee must possess and maintain a valid Michigan driver’s license, no fault insurance and access to a vehicle to use in the performance of assigned duties.
• Proficient using MS Office Suite and relevant software and systems-experience using case management systems, preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:
The position requires the ability to independently manage a high volume of work, demonstrating effective time management skills. Candidates should be able to calmly and effectively handle high-stress situations. The role requires excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to explain court procedures to internal and external customers in plain language.
The coordinator must be able to establish and maintain positive working relationships with coworkers, officials, and external contacts. Strong legal research, analysis, and writing skills are essential, as is the ability to identify legal solutions that consider time, cost, and human factors. Other required skills include:
• Logic and Reasoning: The ability to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different solutions to legal problems.
• Supervisory Skills: Experience in supervising and collaborating with legal professionals.
• Analytical Skills: Analytical and problem-solving skills, and the ability to make sound decisions.
• Interpersonal Skills: Excellent facilitation, presentation, and negotiation skills.
• Knowledge: Thorough knowledge of court processes and procedures.
• Proven ability to exercise sound judgement and maintain confidentiality
• Ability to work with diverse populations
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for long periods of time to perform job functions.
• Must be able to lift 25 lbs.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATIONS OR SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Successful completion of criminal and IV-D background check, fingerprinting and rechecks.
• Member of State Bar of Michigan in good standing.
• Applicants must be eligible for employment authorization in the U.S.
The above statements describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to the title. Incumbents may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated in this description. Specific job duties vary from position to position.
Grant funded positions are contingent on availability of grant funding and may be terminated should funding substantially reduce or cease. The affected employee may be considered as a candidate for other vacant positions within the Court for which they are qualified.