Friend Court

Position: Friend of the Court
Livingston County was named a 2025 Top Workplace by the Detroit Free Press! Based solely on employee feedback, the Top Workplace title is a badge of honor for the County. With over 700 employees serving within 18 departments, 6 elected offices, and 3 Courts, Livingston County's top priority is providing effective and efficient services that improve the quality of life for all of our residents.

Position Summary:

Under the direction of the Chief Judge, this position is responsible for the overall management of the administrative functions of the Friend of the Court, including establishing policies and procedures and monitoring compliance for the collection, enforcement, and investigative responsibilities of the family division in all areas of domestic relations matters. Prepares, presents, implements, and monitors budgets for the Friend of the Court, develops and implements programs and policies to improve court services and maintains compliance with statutes and court rules.

Benefits:

Retirement plan includes a 401a with up to 8% employer contribution

Comprehensive Medical, Pharmacy, Dental & Vision Optional HSA with an employer match

Optional Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation plan Short-term & Long-term disability & Basic Life & AD&D insurance

Health & Dependent Flexible Spending Accounts Paid vacation, sick days & holidays. Unused vacation and sick time rolls over Tuition Reimbursement Up to $500 annual Wellness reimbursement* & $100 incentive for completing your annual physical & Health Assessment.

Voluntary benefits such as Pet Insurance, Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital & Whole Life policies

Employee assistance program
* Pro-rated based on DOHPay Rate Information:

The Friend of the Court position is a non-union, exempt position. Starting salary is $114,340/year.  This position is eligible for step pay increases within our Non-Union Grade 15 Wage Scale. Top end of the current wage scale for this position is $144,842/year.

Essential Job Functions:

An employee in this position may be called upon to do any or all of the following essential functions. These examples do not include all of the duties, which the employee may be expected to perform. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily.

Plans, organizes, and directs all aspects of departmental operations including personnel, budgeting, planning, and general administration. Develops and implements departmental policies, procedures, and regulations.

Assesses department operations, staffing levels, facilities, and equipment. Analyzes budgetary and resource needs, makes recommendations for improvements, and implements changes. Monitors operational costs and makes recommendations for increasing efficiency.

Prepares and presents annual budget requests, administers departmental budget, and ensures that the authorized budgetary and purchasing procedures are properly used.

Assigns or delegates responsibility for assignment of work, directs personnel, evaluates performance of all employees, and assures necessary training and professional development. Takes disciplinary action according to established procedures.

Coordinates and oversees the conduct of hearings by staff, reviews case outcomes, including legal documentation regarding evidence presented and outcomes recommended by staff, to determine if legal and evidence sufficiency exists to support said outcomes.

Conducts hearings, examines testimony and evidence, prepares and reviews orders, drafts opinions, and conducts legal research on a variety of assigned cases.

Plans, develops, implements, and monitors programs, policies, and procedures to ensure domestic relations cases are properly administered and investigated, and courts orders are enforced. Coordinates and oversees the SMILE program.

Monitors compliance with applicable directives and regulations from both the state and federal Office of Child Support and the Department of Human Services.

Prepares, implements, administers, and monitors various state and federal grants. Submits related records and reports for maximum financial reimbursement to the county from the state and federal government by enforcing the collection of child support payments.

Performs policy research and development, produces statistics, analyses, and reports on Friend of the Court operations. Develops short and long-range plans, coordinates policy development, and the implementation and coordination of services within all the courts.

Reviews…