Court Clerk Peacemaker/Program Director CTAS-PA-3

*The Court Clerk/Peacemaker is a five year (5 yr.) grant funded position from the U.S. Department of Justice, Coordinated Tribal Assistance Solicitation. The duration of this position is subject to the guidelines outlined in the grant.

SUMMARY

The Court Clerk/Peacemaker will assist the Tribal Court in its diversionary court programs in activities that relate to juvenile and adults wherein substance abuse is a factor that brought the juvenile and adult before the Tribal Court, where domestic violence brought the juvenile and adult before the Tribal Court, or where peacemaking would assist or resolve the matter between parties. Under the direction of the Court Administrator and/or Tribal Court Judges, the Court Clerk/Peacemaker will provide clerk duties to ensure efficiency and effectiveness of court services and assistance to other staff, the judiciary, and the public, and peacemaking duties including peacemaking sessions, Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) sessions, and ensuring juvenile and adult clients are progressing through the diversionary courts, alternative dispute resolution, and other court programs.

For adults, juveniles and/or families that are in the Tribal Court for criminal, juvenile and/or neglect/abuse offenses and where the adults, juveniles and/or famiy's offenses are the result of or are related to substance abuse or domestic violence by either the adult, the juvenile and/or the family. For families that are in the Tribal Court for abuse or neglect child protection cases and where the family's acts or omissions are the result of or are related to substance abuse or domestic violence, the Court will provide direct services to youth who are younger than eighteen (18) years of age and to the parents or guardians.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate Degree * in Criminal Justice, Paralegal, Business, Administrative Services, or other degree with equivalent work experience.
• General knowledge of applicable law, regulations, rules, policies, procedures and administration is required.
• Familiarity with the Core Routines that may include but not be limited to: sit-spots, talking circles, reflections on nature in written journals, learn to make a fire without modern tools commonly used in today's society, making traditional crafts, and the use of Native American arts.
• MRT Certification or ability to attain certification within ninety (90) days of employment. Conduct MRT sessions with clients. Note that MRT is a treatment strategy that seeks to decrease recidivism among adult and juvenile clients by increasing moral reasoning.
• Must have a valid Michigan driver's license and be insurable by the GTB insurance carrier.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Court Clerk Duties

• Meet the goals, objectives, and activities of the project as defined in the OJJDP Grant application as described below consistent with the project budget and timeline, fiscal guidelines, and staffing resources.
• Become very familiar with the GTB Court Rules, GTB Code and GTB Constitution.
• Must become proficient in Indian Child Welfare case language and funding requirements.
• Must be familiar with State, Local, Federal and Tribal Laws.
• Must be able to work with agencies of the Michigan Secretary of State.
• Observe and employ all GTB and Court policies regarding confidentiality.
• Assist in the investigation and preparation of dispositional and/or sentencing recommendations to Tribal Court of all cases involving child and adult offenders. These recommendations will incorporate the rehabilitation and community justice plan.
• Assist in the monitoring and supervision of the dispositional and/or sentencing orders of the court which includes preparation of hearing- filing and mailing of notices, sentencing orders and probation violation hearings.
• Provide support, preventative and supervisory counseling to all individuals placed on probation.
• Schedule case review hearings for child and adult offenders, which includes advising the court of compliance or noncompliance of the court order.
• Inform offenders and their families about the cost, constraints and responsibilities of maintaining electronic monitoring equipment. Provide installation services in the offenders' home, communicate with the agency and assist law enforcement in monitoring the actions of the offender.
• Assist in providing supervision and transportation of juvenile offenders to non-secure detention and secure detention.
• Assist in providing effective community service opportunities and monitoring for clients who are required to perform community service.
• Work closely with outside agencies (LE, Protective Services, DHHS, Schools), courts (state and local), outside attorneys and law firms and tribal programs who provide services for our clients.
• Responsible for efficient processing of all court activities, including case-flow management of assigned cases and maintaining the Court docket.
• Court clerking responsibilities to court staff and tribal judiciary.
• Open process, close and summarize cases. Log cases into database; process complaints, answers and pleadings; distribute and file documents within legal timeframes.
• Coordinate services of process prepare legal documents and enter default judgments, orders and other judgments.
• Development and maintenance of court forms in compliance with tribal statutes, ordinances, codes, etc.
• Receive, receipt, record and deposit fees, fines, court costs, reimbursement, restitution and all other monies and/or property utilizing tribal accounting procedures.
• Develop court files for every court case. Document all case activity and pertinent case information in computer and court files.
• Provide information to attorneys, law enforcement officers, plaintiffs, defendants, court patrons and agencies regarding court policies and procedures, case status, jurisdiction, and scheduling of court hearings.
• Schedule court proceedings and issue proper notices to appropriate parties.
• Process garnishments, withholdings and other post-judgments matters. Prepare writs of garnishment, habeas corpus, audit garnishment, per cap accounts and judgment balances; prepare and process orders to pay and/or release funds.
• Attend court hearings and schedule subsequent hearings as needed. Perform duties required as Court Recorder.
• Ensure case files are prepared and available for scheduled proceedings.
• Training - Specific training or equivalent of – Basic Interviewing/Counseling Techniques, Self Defense Tactics, Blood Pathogens and all other training/programs as deemed administratively necessary for the position.
• Must become certified in drug test specimen collections and chain of custody requirements.
• Must follow the provisions of the confidentiality provision of the GTB/GTB Tribal Court.
• Attend court hearings as the court clerk (and when directed by the Court Administrator or Chief/Associate Judge, attend court hearings as the court recorder) and schedule subsequent hearings or prepare orders as needed.
• As part of the diversion aspect of the grant, assist with Portable Breath Testing (PBT) and Drug Testing of clients, when needed. Drug Testing requires the willingness to collect specimens of urine and/or saliva. If not already certified, complete certification.
• Assist, as needed, with tethering of diversion clients. If not already certified, complete certification.
• Perform other duties as assigned by judiciary.

Peacemaking Duties

• Meet the goals, objectives, and activities of the project as defined in the CTAS PA #3 Grant application as described below consistent with the project budget and timeline, fiscal guidelines, and staffing resources.
• Conduct peacemaking sessions, follow up services, paperwork and maintenance of manuals and forms.
• Ensure clientele progress through the Core Routines that may include but not be limited to: sit-spots, talking circles, reflections on nature in written journals, learn to make a fire without modern tools commonly used in today's society, making traditional crafts, and the use of Native American arts.
• Conduct MRT sessions to decrease recidivism among adult and juvenile clients by increasing moral reasoning. Coordinate with the FHTWC Case Manager to also conduct MRT sessions.
• Document case activity and case information.
• Maintain paperwork involving peacemaking, Core Routines and MRT.
• Work with Tribal, State and County Courts staff (Judges, Prosecutors, Probation) involving
• Assist clientele with conflict resolution, both inner conflict and personal conflict, throughout the Tribal community and surrounding community.
• Be a visible and positive role model in the Tribal community and surrounding community.
• Provide resolution of disputes which have been referred by the FHTWC by using mediation and arbitration techniques.
• Undergo ongoing training in peacemaking and alternative dispute resolution, in addition to Core Routines and MRT training that may be in addition to normal office hours.
• Attend HTWC hearings as the court recorder when directed by the judges, FHTWC Case Manager and HTWC Team.
• Other duties as assigned.

Program Director Duties

• Tribal Program Director training or ability to obtain said training within six (6) months of employment.
• New World training or ability to obtain training within sixty (60) days of employment.
• Perform program director duties for applicable grant-associated Tribal Court programs.
• Assist the Chief Judge and Court Administrator in the budget preparation, forecast, monitoring and modifications of applicable grant programs as needed.
• Prepare and approve all disbursements from the Tribal Court in a timely manner for applicable grant programs.
• Prepare check requests, purchase requisitions and other financial documents for applicable grant programs.
• Responsible for Tribal Court budget controls, procurement, dispositions, personnel and contractor payments, program account classification, records managements and program status report maintenance for applicable grant programs.
• Responsible for compiling and reconciliation of required financial records. Responsible for timely preparation and submittal of program facts and reporting forms on a quarterly basis for applicable grant programs.
• Responsible for budget modifications, mid-year modifications, and other program needs as needed for applicable grant programs.
• Responsible for annual preparation, distribution of Tribal Court Performance Based Budgets for applicable grant programs.
• Responsible for duties related to bi-annual per capita distributions, including but not limited to preparation of Tribal Court case list of per capita deductions, receipting of per capita payments and applying payment to respective cases, and other per capita related duties as they arise for applicable grant programs.
• Assist with the preparation and conduct of all audits and reviews of the Tribal Court.
• Maintain logs (both electronic and program books) in a current and complete condition as per the GTB Program Administration Manual and as required by other GTB Policies.
• Assist with the development, collection and management of statistical data for external and internal support of funding requirements and needs.
• Participate in external and internal program reviews and monitoring.
• Monitor program expenditures to ensure proper documentation to support program eligibility and budget compliance.
• Prepare and submit monthly accounts receivables and outstanding payments owed to the Tribal Court.
• Contact and maintain working relationship with Grants Management and [OPDE] and the Office of Management/Budget in an effort to maintain account receivables, account payables, GAAP accounting , PAM compliance, and any grants administered by the Tribal Court to ensure compliance.
• Responsible for all client account adjustments within FullCourt.

OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Must be able to work when scheduled in the evenings or Saturdays.
• Ability to maintain judicial confidentiality and impartiality a must.
• Must possess a basic understanding of the Tribal Court and diversionary court functions.
• Work requires computer literacy, especially in Windows, Word and Excel.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Common sense and good people skills are critical to this position.
• Ability to analyze situations and apply logical and rational thinking to make a decision or choose a course of action; drawing on previous experience and skill as the basis for decision-making.
• Ability to deal with people in intense situations, confront and resolve conflicts that disrupt work flow or interpersonal relationships.
• Demonstrated sensitivity to the needs of others, keeping open to clientele needs, situation and specific background or culture.
• Demonstrated listening skills, such that the clientele needs, issues, problems, etc. are heard and addressed.
• Open and unbiased attitude toward any group of individuals, able to communicate with all levels of personnel.
• Ability to assimilate knowledge quickly and repeat back quickly.
• Calm and levelheaded under pressure and still perform well; displaying an emotional balance that facilitates solid performance.
• Duties, responsibilities, requirements and expectations pertaining to this job are subject to change as needed.
• Ability to work well with others in pressure situations and demonstrate adaptability and flexibility.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrated patience, tact and respect.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE

• Associate Degree * in Criminal Justice, Paralegal, Business, Administrative Services, or other degree with equivalent work experience.

• Civil or Domestic Mediation Certification (40 hr. course) or ability to attain certification within ninety (90) days of employment.
• Familiarity with the Core Routines that may include but not be limited to: sit-spots, talking circles, reflections on nature in written journals, learn to make a fire without modern tools commonly used in today's society, making traditional crafts, and the use of Native American arts.
• MRT Certification or ability to attain certification within ninety (90) days of employment. Conduct MRT sessions with clients. Note that MRT is a treatment strategy that seeks to decrease recidivism among adult and juvenile clients by increasing moral reasoning.
• General knowledge of applicable law, regulations, rules, policies, procedures and administration is required.
• General proficiency in computers as detailed in the additional functions and tasks section of this document.
• General proficiency in 10-key and other office equipment.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS

• Must have a valid Michigan Driver's license and be insurable by the GTB insurance carrier.
• This position requires a self-starter, highly motivated person with a strong work ethic, who is able to accomplish goals with very little supervision.
• Exceptional detail and follow-up skills.
• Ability to effectively establish priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to quickly evaluate alternatives and decide on a plan of action.
• Ability to read and write legibly.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

No supervisory responsibilities.

EQUIPMENT TO BE USED

General office equipment; calculators, computers, modem, copiers, fax, phone systems, etc. in addition, PBT machine.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Work requires sitting, lifting, reaching, walking, and lifting up to fifty (50) pounds. Also requires manual dexterity to operate office equipment, keyboarding, copiers, etc. should have corrected normal range of hearing and sight.

TYPICAL MENTAL DEMANDS

Will routinely be involved in conflict resolution, problem solving, mediation, and discussions with all levels of the organization. Required to be other centered and resolution focused. Must set aside personal considerations and render objective findings and resolutions in often complex human circumstances.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Some deadlines involved, so there is time pressure on occasion. Local travel to various properties in a forty-mile (40 mi.) radius is involved, as well as out of town; overnight travel on occasion is required. Although primarily an eight to five (8-5) job, one must be flexible and willing to work the occasional evening, weekend, or holiday. A good deal of work is performed in an office environment, but it is important to realize that some of the work is in the community and other agencies. Must be willing to travel and provide transportation services to clients.

COMMENTS

Native American preference will apply. Must be willing and able to pass a background investigation and a drug and alcohol urinalysis as a condition of employment. Adherence to strict company policy in regard to confidentiality is a must.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of personnel so classified. Management retains the right to add or to change the duties of the position at any time. * Any qualifications to be considered as equivalents in lieu of stated minimums require prior approval of the Director of Human Resources

Current Openings for Court Clerk Peacemaker/Program Director CTAS PA 3 Jobs at Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians