Description
THIS POSITION IS DEPENDENT ON GRANT FUNDING
CHILD PROTECTION & JUVENILE PROCESS SPECIALSIT
STATE OF MAINE JUDICIAL BRANCH
LOCATION: Administrative Office of the Courts, Portland
GENERAL SUMMARY
The Child Protection and Juvenile Process Specialist (“Specialist”) is responsible for assisting in the improvement of public service in all child protection and juvenile cases. The person serving in this position supports case management, case processing, data collection and other case processing activities in child protection and juvenile proceedings. The incumbent will gather data and information, analyze trends, research possible solutions, make recommendations for improvement, identify impediments to implementation of new policies and procedures, and assess resource and training needs.
The Specialist is the Family Division’s lead legal content expert in child protection and juvenile cases and the primary liaison between the AOC and the chiefs of the District Court and the Supreme Judicial Court (SJC) for these case types. The person serving in this position supports Judicial Branch work in improving child protection and juvenile case practices and case flow processes. The Specialist works in courthouses with judicial officers on a regular basis and serves a major role in the development of child protection and juvenile content for the Judicial Branch (for example, pamphlets, guidebooks, website information, benchbooks, benchcards). The Specialist will develop educational materials and conduct trainings and conferences on child protection and juvenile matters. The Specialist has substantial administrative duties managing the Court Improvement Program (“CIP”) grant. This is a full-time, partially grant-funded position based in Portland. Statewide travel is required and out-of-state travel may be required.
Salary Range:
Salary grade 19: $89,336.00 - $120,889.60 annually.
This position is dependent on grant funding
What We Offer:
At the Maine Judicial Branch, we value our employees, which is why we offer great benefits. In addition to competitive pay, we provide:
- Work-life balance: 13 paid holidays, 2+ weeks of vacation leave, and 12 paid sick days every year.
- Paid Parental Leave: 4 weeks
- Gym membership and childcare reimbursement programs
- Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program
- Health insurance coverage (85%-100% employer-paid for employee-only plan)
- Health insurance premium credit (5% decrease in employee premiums)
- Dental insurance (100% employer-paid for employee-only plan)
- Health and dependent care flexible spending accounts
- Defined Benefit Pension plan contributions
- Voluntary deferred compensation (retirement savings 457 Plan)
- Up to $1000 Tuition Reimbursement each year
- Employer-paid life insurance (1x annual salary)
- Additional wellness benefits
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS *
- The Specialist performs the following essential job functions under the supervision of the Family Division Manager:
- In coordination with and at the direction of the District Court trial chiefs and the SJC liaison to the Family Division, establishes court process to be implemented by clerk of courts, assistant clerks, Office of Information Technology, and Court Operations for child protection and juvenile cases
- Supports implementation of any child protection and juvenile case process changes including, but not limited to (1) drafting and updating clerks’ process manuals for child protection and juvenile cases, (2) assisting in developing or updating the content of court forms as needed, (3) drafting judicial resources as requested, (4) collaborating with other divisions of the AOC on case management docketing and data collection, (5) delivering internal and external training sessions, (6) assisting in developing publications and web content for members of the public, (7) designing and managing to completion pilot projects to test process changes
- Advises the District Court trial chiefs and SJC liaison to the Family Division of relevant complaints by external stakeholders
- Serves as a legal expert on child protection and juvenile process and law for Judicial Branch leadership, clerks’ offices, administrative staff, judicial officers, and court users
- Performs special legal assignments including assisting with the research for and drafting of administrative orders, pandemic management orders, and court rules
- Coordinates and delivers training related to child protection and juvenile law for system partners, clerks’ offices, and other Judicial Branch staff as needed
- Assists with grant administration by maintaining budgets, collecting grant information and data, compiling grant-related data and completing required reports
- Serves as the coordinator for Maine’s Court Improvement Program (CIP), which is funded by the CIP federal grant, and performs all related tasks, including (1) completion of strategic plan and self-assessment, (2) drafting of reports and memoranda as needed, (3) development of recommendations to enhance the court's role in achieving permanent homes for children in foster care, (4) grant budget development and management, (5) project management of any CIP initiatives, and (6) communication with federal and state agency representatives regarding CIP projects and activities
- Staffs the Justice for Children Task Force, including communication with the Chief Justice of the SJC who chairs the committee, drafting of annual reports and memoranda as needed, coordination of any subcommittees, project management of any committee initiatives, and maintenance of all materials related to the Task Force
- Represents the Judicial Branch on internal and/or external committees related to child protection and juvenile justice
- Conducts statistical analysis and process assessment, defines problems, issues or trends affecting child protection and juvenile proceedings in the court system, and makes recommendations about options for improvement to policies, forms and systems, including possible pilot projects
- Performs onsite court visits to attend court proceedings, and meet with judicial officers and clerks
- May assist with Requests for Proposals, Requests for Applications, and contracts
- Performs other duties as required or directed by the Family Division Manager
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school
- Bar membership required. If admitted in a jurisdiction other than Maine, admission to the Maine Bar within 6 months
- A valid Maine Driver’s License
- wo years of experience in child protection and/or juvenile law
EXPERIENCE PREFERRED
- Experience with statistical and data analysis
- Experience in grant development and administration
- Experience in development of educational/training programs
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES REQUIRED
- Strong administrative and organizational skills, including program and grant management
- Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with judicial officers, court staff, attorneys, and other professionals
- Knowledge in the areas of child protection and juvenile law, including applicable state and federal statutes, and procedural rules
- Knowledge of the court system and relevant proceedings
- Strong oral and written communication skills, including grant writing
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Strong computer skills, including word processing
- Highly motivated self-starter
- Proven ability to work positively in a changing system
- Ability to synthesize and analyze data
- Ability to make presentations to court personnel and to individuals, groups and organizations outside the Judicial Branch
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES PREFERRED
- Ability to prepare spreadsheets using Excel
- Knowledge of child development, domestic violence, substance use disorders, and family dynamics
How to Apply:
This position will remain open until filled. Cover letter, resume, and online application must be submitted online at https://maine.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/Judicial
The Judicial Branch is an EEO/AA employer.
If you have any questions about the online application process, please contact the Judicial Branch Human Resources Department at HR.Help@courts.maine.gov.
Requirements
EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
- Juris Doctor degree from an American Bar Association accredited law school
- Bar membership required. If admitted in a jurisdiction other than Maine, admission to the Maine Bar within 6 months
- A valid Maine Driver’s License
- Two years of experience in child protection and/or juvenile law
EXPERIENCE PREFERRED
- Experience with statistical and data analysis
- Experience in grant development and administration
- Experience in development of educational/training programs
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES REQUIRED
- Strong administrative and organizational skills, including program and grant management
- Ability to work cooperatively and effectively with judicial officers, court staff, attorneys, and other professionals
- Knowledge in the areas of child protection and juvenile law, including applicable state and federal statutes, and procedural rules
- Knowledge of the court system and relevant proceedings
- Strong oral and written communication skills, including grant writing
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Strong computer skills, including word processing
- Highly motivated self-starter
- Proven ability to work positively in a changing system
- Ability to synthesize and analyze data
- Ability to make presentations to court personnel and to individuals, groups and organizations outside the Judicial Branch
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES PREFERRED
- Ability to prepare spreadsheets using Excel
- Knowledge of child development, domestic violence, substance use disorders, and family dynamics
