16th Judicial Circuit (Court Program Specialist II - Domestic Violence Coordinator)

SUMMARY

     The primary purpose of this position is to coordinate both civil and criminal domestic violence cases in order to facilitate judicial decision making and to ensure that cases move in a timely and effective manner from filing to disposition.

     This position is designed to provide administrative support to the courts in Lower Keys, with cases involving domestic violence, repeat violence, dating violence, sexual violence and stalking. The Court Program Specialist II is responsible for tracking each injunction for protection case filed with the Clerk of Court, attending all docket calendars involving these cases and acting as a facilitator/case manager.  By coordinating the processing of cases set for Final Hearing on Petitions for Injunctive relief, the Court Program Specialist II assesses the Court in determining the nature of relief sought, the areas of agreement and dispute and the time needed for hearing he/she and presents the judge with all case related information needed to reach a comprehensive resolution of the case.  The Court Program Specialist II monitors compliance with court orders and the reporting of injunctions for entry into the FCIC/NCIC system.  This position is also responsible for tracking criminal domestic violence cases from arrest to disposition and works closely with the attorneys involved to monitor the movement of the cases and ensure a timely and satisfactory disposition of the criminal charge. This position also will provide coverage for other family court personnel located in Plantation Key and Marathon when needed.

     The Court Program Specialist II performs a circuit-wide role in dealing with local agencies, task forces and service providers on domestic violence issues and development of resources to enhance the effectiveness of the judicial response to domestic violence cases.

     Work is performed with considerable independence and latitude.  Duties are performed under the supervision of the Director of Case Management, and at the pleasure of the chief Judge of the 16th Circuit.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

• Prepares orders of extension, dismissal and the Final Judgments for the Court. Reviews related cases, both open and closed, to insure that court orders do not conflict;
• Obtains case related information to assist the judge, including the number and nature of collateral cases affecting the parties as maintained by the Clerk of Court, background information from local law enforcement records and the FCIC/NCIC, as well as Guardian ad Litem and DCF involvement with the children and family;
• Prepares of notices and schedules hearings in contempt proceedings for non-compliance with court orders;
• Screens and schedules motions for modification of injunctions and prepares hearing notices and amended orders;
• Measures and monitors cases that are assigned to domestic violence courts/judges in the Lower Keys;
• Develops and implement case management policies in coordination with the presiding judges;
• Tracks criminal domestic violence cases from arrest to disposition and monitors the movement of the cases and compliance with time standards;
• Coordinates with the state attorney's office and defense counsel to facilitate timely and satisfactory dispositions;
• Attends monthly review calendars and coordinates case-related information to facilitate judicial decision making;
• Monitors and reviews new legislation, rules and other mandates requiring procedural and/or administrative changes in legal proceedings and implements required changes;
• Answers calls, emails and correspondence from public and attorneys about their cases;
• Maintains daily, monthly and yearly statistics regarding the volume of cases handled by the program;

     This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

QUALIFICATIONS 

     To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

     Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university; or one to two years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

     Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.  Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.  Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format.  Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

     Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.  Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

REASONING ABILITY

     Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS

     FCIC/NCIC certified.  If not certified, certification must be obtained within first week of employment.

     Valid Florida Driver's license is required for needed travel.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS 

     The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

     While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.  The employee frequently is required to sit and use hands to finger, handle, or feel.  The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.  The employee must regularly lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT 

     The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

     While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, moving mechanical parts, outside weather conditions, and extreme heat.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.