HomeMy WebLinkAboutTherapeutic Courts CoordinatorJEFFERSON COUNTY JOB DESCRIPTION
Position: THERAPEUTIC COURTS COORDINATOR FLSA: Exempt - Administrative
Department: Superior & District Courts UNION: Exempt
Annual Hours Worked: 2080 Adopted: June 2022
Exempt Salary System Grade: MGR18 Approved.
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1.0 MAJOR FUNCTION AND PURPOSE
1.1 Persons in this position are responsible for overseeing the development, implementation,
coordination and operation of Jefferson County's Therapeutic Courts (Drug Court,
Behavioral Health Court and Family Therapeutic Court) under the general supervision of the
Judges of the Superior and District Courts, or their designee(s). This position coordinates and
facilitates communication, collaboration and negotiation between court stakeholders and
community representatives.
2.0 SUPERVISION RECEIVED
2.1 Persons in this position are given significant discretion, within the scope of policy and
regulations, in the routine performance of their duties; supervision and guidance are received
from the District Court Judge and Superior Court Judge, or their designee(s). Makes
administrative decisions in the absence of the Judges, or their designee(s).
3.0 SUPERVISION EXERCISED
3.1 Persons in this position supervise employees and clerk hire positions, as needed, in the
Therapeutic Courts Program. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the
organization's policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and
training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding
and disciplining employees; addressing complaints and resolving problems.
4.0 SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY
4.1 Oversees and administers the continual development, implementation, coordination and operation
of the therapeutic courts program. Researches, drafts and proposes policies, procedures and
related reports in connection with the courts. Applies and implements adopted policies and
procedures for interaction with the courts, stakeholders and participants. Oversees the day-to-day
operation of the therapeutic courts.
4.2 Organizes, plans and directs procedural and administrative functions of the Therapeutic Courts
Program, coordinates court activities, and establishes program goals, policies and procedures.
4.3 Provides active case management services by (1) creating referrals to appropriate services and
providers; (2) coordinating the service delivery to program participants; (3) monitoring the
compliance level of program participants; (4) promoting successful advancement and eventual
graduation from the therapeutic courts; and (5) assisting program participants by providing
referral information for non -treatment -oriented services such as housing resources, education,
employment, etc.
4.4 Serves as the liaison among the Therapeutic Courts program team members comprised of judicial
officers, Prosecuting Attorneys, Public Defenders, Behavioral Health Providers, Substance Use
Disorder Treatment Providers, DCYF Representatives and others.
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4.5 Develops and maintains effective and collaborative -working relationships with other County
officials, judicial officers, attorneys and other departments within County government, as well as
a variety of law enforcement, probation, correctional institutions, social services agencies, and
municipalities and others to maintain harmonious working relationships within the court system.
4.6 Coordinates and facilitates communication, collaboration and negotiation between court
stakeholders and liaising with community representatives.
4.7 Applies extensive knowledge of laws and procedures relating to court operations as well as sound
management and administrative principles and techniques.
5.0 SPECIFIC DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
5.1 Researches, drafts and recommends policies, procedures and related forms for use in connection
with the courts and the Therapeutic Courts Program.
5.2 Monitors and, in consultation with presiding judicial officers, directs the day-to-day
administration and operation of the therapeutic courts.
5.3 Develops and maintains detailed participant action plan to outline objectives, strategies and tasks,
monitor progress; and, reports regularly to designated agencies and therapeutic court teams.
5.4 Works closely with the therapeutic court teams to establish and maintain program admission,
screening, graduation, incentive and sanction criteria, and coordinates therapeutic court
graduation events. Communicates and coordinates with courts to report participant compliance
with courts inside and outside Jefferson County regarding legal matters.
5.5 Implements adopted policies and procedures for the administration of the Therapeutic Courts
Program and court participants.
5.6 Coordinates preparation of necessary documentation including court orders for bench warrants,
custody releases, furlough requests, commitment orders and release to treatment paperwork.
Assures proper legal format, terminology, and procedural accuracy.
5.7 Develops individualized jail/hospital discharge plans to address psycho -social needs.
5.8 Participates in court proceedings on a regular basis when and where appropriate.
5.9 Analyzes data, case reports, treatment plans and criminal history reports to develop
conclusions and recommendations for program and participant success; ensures participant
data is entered into case management software programs by program staff.
5.10 Prepares, develops and writes materials regarding Therapeutic Court program policy and
procedures, including pamphlets and forms for distribution to court participants and therapeutic
court team members.
5.11 Prepares procedure manual, forms and other materials for communication, distribution and
implementation to court participants and therapeutic court team members.
5.12 Plans and coordinates evaluations of local therapeutic courts by developing measurements of
program success, collecting and analyzing data and preparing documents and reports.
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5.13 Researches, evaluates and implements current local, regional and national trends and best
practices pertaining to therapeutic court operations; reports regularly to judicial officers about
these issues in an effort to adjust and enhance local program practices.
5.14 Researches, prepares, monitors and ensures compliance with grant proposals and seeks to expand
funding for therapeutic courts.
5.15 Participates on community and/or statewide committees or work groups related to the planning,
development, management, funding and evaluation of therapeutic courts.
5.16 Performs other tasks as directed.
6.0 REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
6.1 Knowledge of judicial branch operations and therapeutic courts including:
-Criminal justice systems and proceedings
-Behavioral health conditions, treatment and recovery
• Substance use disorders, treatment and recovery
• Co-occurring disorders
■ Child welfare system
• Community resources
• Medicare and Medicaid
■ HIPPA
-Conflict resolution techniques and problem -solving skills
-Crisis de-escalation skills
6.2 Knowledge of management principles, including personnel administration, supervision, training
and performance evaluation practices and Jefferson County Policy governing personnel actions.
6.3 Ability to work cooperatively with community agencies, volunteers, officials, lawyers, judicial
officers, law enforcement officers and the general public. Ability to remain calm under stressful
and potentially dangerous situations.
6.4 Ability to write clear and concise grant proposals, procedures manuals, policies, speeches and
articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present
information to senior management, public groups and/or boards of directors.
6.5 Ability to use technology in performance of duties, using a computer to create documents and
spreadsheets. Ability to adapt to and use new technologies. Ability to understand complex
instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form. Ability to organize information and to
deal with problems involving several variables in non-standard situations.
6.6 Ability to maintain a high standard for accuracy, completeness, and efficiency in the preparation
of reports and budgets. Independent and self -motivated to complete required deadlines while
simultaneously completing other tasks.
6.7 Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability
to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Jefferson County Job Description: Therapeutic Courts Coordinator
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6.8 Knowledge of accounting and budget administration and the ability to identify, direct and
coordinate the application of staffing and resources, to forecast, plan and implement program
adjustments as required by changing conditions.
6.9 Ability to read and interpret codified laws, court rules, administrative and legal policies,
directives, and procedures, JIS rules and regulations, and the ability to apply them accordingly.
6.10 Understands the need for maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information.
7.0 MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
7.1 Bachelor's Degree (B.A./B.S.) from an accredited college or university with major course work
in Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Criminal Justice, Criminology or Judicial
Administration. Consideration will be given to applicants without a Bachelor's Degree who have
more than eight (8) years of direct experience related to the functions of this position; including,
Three (3) years of experience in court administration, agency management, drug treatment,
mental health treatment or social work is required. Master's Degree is preferred.
7.2 Recent experience working with therapeutic and/or treatment courts and/or as a LMHC, LCSW or
LMFT is preferred. Certification as a Court Administrator is also desired.
7.3 Valid Washington State Driver's License
Pass a criminal background check
Complete County required mandatory training
8.0 PHYSICAL DEMANDS
8.1 The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee
to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be
made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing
the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and
talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk and sit. The employee is
occasionally required to reach with hands and arms, climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or
crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities
required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth
perception and ability to adjust focus.
9.0 WORK ENVIRONMENT
9.1 The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee
encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may
be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level
in the work environment is usually moderate.
This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee,
and is subject to change as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.