Child Protective & Juvenile Program Specialist

THIS POSITION IS DEPENDENT ON GRANT FUNDING CHILD PROTECTION & JUVENILE PROCESS SPECIALIST 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, bench books, bench cards). 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 grade 19: $89,336.00 - $ annually.

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

• 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…