College Intern - Circuit Court Casework Services

About the Role

This is an on-site internship located in either our Pontiac or Troy office. Ready to gain real-world experience while making a difference in the lives of youth and families? This internship offers hands-on exposure to juvenile probation work, including courtroom procedures, client advocacy, compliance monitoring, and specialized projects that support the mission of the Casework Services Department. You’ll work closely with experienced probation professionals, contribute to meaningful casework, and gain insight into how public service shapes positive outcomes for young people in Oakland County.

Responsibilities

• Assist probation staff in monitoring court-ordered compliance, documenting progress, and supporting youth as they complete required programs or services.
• Observe courtroom proceedings and learn how probation officers present cases, provide recommendations, and collaborate with judges and attorneys.
• Participate in client interviews and mentorship activities to help support youth and families navigating the juvenile justice process.
• Help draft court reports, organize documentation, and prepare materials used in hearings or case reviews.
• Communicate with clients, families, service providers, schools, and community agencies to collect or share information relevant to case progress.
• Work on special projects such as researching recidivism trends, analyzing program outcomes, and assisting with data collection that supports department initiatives.
• Shadow probation officers to gain practical experience in case management, community engagement, and day-to-day departmental operations.
• Use department-specific software and databases to support casework, documentation, and data analysis.
• Analyze, generate, and maintain records and other reference material necessary for departmental use.
• Compose, type, and print reports, general letters, spreadsheets, email, and memoranda from rough drafts or general instructions.
• Answer and make phone calls, respond to program-related questions, and send written material as appropriate.
• Prepare reports analyzing specific aspects of department structures, functions, and/or operational procedures.
• Assist in interviewing and communicating with children, parents, schools, police, and other agencies to determine background information and client/parent needs for counseling.
• Conduct interviews with County personnel and outside agencies to relay and gather information for departmental use.
• Apply research techniques and analytical methods to the study of administrative systems, organizational structures, policies, and procedures.
• Prepare project reports, progress summaries, statistical analysis, and related data.
• Conduct initial and ongoing interviews with referred clients to gather and analyze information and social history to resolve identified issues.
• Conduct special studies in conjunction with a project, analyze data, and make recommendations based upon studies.
• Provide information and assistance to the general public and other governmental agencies.

Qualifications

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Must meet one of the following educational requirements:
  • Current enrollment in an accredited college or university with status as a freshman or sophomore (equates to steps 1 or 2 of salary range).
  • Current enrollment in an accredited college or university with status as a junior/senior (equates to steps 3 or 4 of salary range).
  • Current enrollment in an accredited college or university in a graduate degree program (equates to steps 5 or 6 of salary range).

Additional Desirable Qualifications

• Reasonable ability to present ideas effectively, either orally or in writing.
• Reasonable ability to utilize personal computer programs and other data processing capabilities.
• Reasonable ability to utilize current word processing, spreadsheet, database, email, and Internet software.
• Knowledge of program analysis, evaluation, research methods, and statistics.
• Ability to plan and complete assignments within deadlines.
• Ability to make routine decisions in accordance with policies and procedures.
• Ability to recognize and correct departures from operating practices and procedures.
• Ability to initiate improvements in operations.
• Ability to perform standardized and statistical computations.

Skills

• Ability to communicate with employees and the public, understand and respond to questions, and follow directions.
• Skilled in comparing characteristics of documents and performing arithmetic accurately.
• Assignments at Children’s Village require the ability to accurately view surroundings and distinguish details at close range. Some assignments include the ability to differentiate color as reports are color-coded.

Benefits

Oakland County offers competitive pay and comprehensive benefits, including:

• Meaningful work that makes a difference in the community.
• Opportunities to learn directly from dedicated probation professionals committed to mentorship and youth advocacy.
• Transferable skills in casework support, communication, courtroom procedures, report writing, data analysis, and public service.
• Exploration of career pathways in criminal justice, social work, behavioral health, and other County departments.
• Real-world experience in a collaborative environment focused on rehabilitation and positive outcomes.

For more information about Oakland County benefits and employee perks, visit: Oakland County Benefits.

Pay

$18.61 - $21.71 per hour.

Working Conditions

• Most assignments involve work performed in a normal office environment.
• May be required to provide reliable personal transportation to travel off the County campus or to specific sites in the performance of job duties.
• At Children’s Village or Circuit Court, may encounter situations where people could become confrontational.
• Employees of this classification may be required to provide their own vehicle or personal transportation in performing job functions and are eligible for mileage reimbursement.