Alternative Sentencing Coordinator Specialist

Nature of Work

Created by state law in 1968, the 61st District Court has a high-volume caseload. The court has jurisdiction within the City of Grand Rapids, the second largest city in the state and the largest in Kent County. The 61st District Court is comprised of six (6) elected judges, one (1) appointed attorney magistrate, and a dedicated support staff in the Clerk’s Office and Probation Department. The 61st District Court Team is committed to providing excellent customer service to the public, and to ensuring the effective and impartial management of cases.

Job Summary

This position performs advanced case management, community coordination, and restorative justice work within the Community Service Program of the court. This position is responsible for the placement, monitoring, and support of individuals ordered to complete community service as part of their sentence, with a focus on rehabilitation, reducing recidivism, and promoting public safety.

Required Competencies

• Knowledge of English grammar, spelling, punctuation;

• Considerable knowledge of court procedures and policies, legal documents, laws, and other information pertaining to the court or court procedure;

• Computer uses and applications;

• Modern office practices and procedures and skills in the operation of standard office equipment.

• Good working knowledge of word processing and data entry computer software.

Skills

• Establish rapport with offenders to gain their confidence and cooperation and to engage offenders to achieve a successful compliance rate;

• Interpersonal skills necessary to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other court and city employees as well as various organizations and the public;

• Performing a variety of duties, often changing from one task to another of a different nature;

• Written and oral communication skills; must be able to compose letters, emails, and content for program materials.

Abilities

• Meet schedules and deadlines of the work;

• Maintain the confidentiality of information and professional boundaries;

• Work independently on case assignments and understand the problems faced by defendants from all cultural backgrounds and socioeconomic levels;

• Compose decisions in accordance with laws, regulations, rules, and departmental policies and procedures and exercise independent judgment.

Physical Requirements

• Work is performed in an office and community environment.

• Positions in the class typically require: reaching, lifting, pushing, pulling, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions.

• Move and lift objects less than 25 pounds such as mail, files and supplies.

• Operate office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements.

• The ability to remain in a sitting position for extended periods of time.

• Valid driver’s license required.

Other Necessary Qualifications

• COMPLEXITY AND DECISION MAKING: The job involves gathering and analyzing information to determine or recommend the best course of action. While supervisors/managers or executives make the ultimate decisions, the Alternative Sentencing Coordinator Specialist develops options and recommends courses of action based on findings of their evaluation as well as thorough knowledge of the policies, practices, and guidelines, experience and expertise in a particular subject area.

• PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work is performed in an office and community environment. Positions in the class typically require: reaching, lifting, pushing, pulling, grasping, talking, hearing, seeing and repetitive motions. Move and lift objects less than 25 pounds such as mail, files and supplies. Operate office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive hand/arm movements. The ability to remain in a sitting position for extended periods of time. Valid driver’s license required.

How To Apply

To be assured consideration, applicants must apply online and submit the following:

• A cover letter, addressed to Eric F. Cyman, Court Administrator

• A detailed resume

• Three (3) professional references

Has your cover letter been uploaded? Yes

Has your resume been uploaded? Yes

If selected for an interview, do you authorize the 61st District Court to contact the references listed in the application? Yes