Court Navigator

A Court Navigator will provide general assistance to the public by coordinating resources and services and providing information and guidance on court navigation, without giving legal advice. Their work will increase efficiency in court processes and provide greater access to resources.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Assists the public through in-person contact with access to case information, court forms, Government Center navigation, and various documents. Answers general questions regarding court practices, policies, and procedures without giving legal advice.
• Provides excellent customer service to the public.
• Refers parties to resources and services and may act as a liaison regarding program support. Referrals to resources on housing, food, employment, mental health, substance use, domestic violence support, etc. Referrals may also address language barriers, disability accommodations, court date reminders, or other options designed to address barriers to court access and increase court appearance.
• Shares information on available County programming such as Family Treatment Court, Diversion, AODA Assessments, Work Release, Driver's License Restoration, Medication-Assisted Treatment, etc.
• Identifies opportunities for improvement, collects data, and tracks resource optimization efforts.
• Support criminal court users, especially those without attorney representation, at their initial appearances by providing information on court practices and expectations, ranging from courtroom etiquette to the attorney appointment process and requirements. Provides legal information but does not give legal advice.
• Provide trauma-informed de-escalation and stabilization to justice-involved individuals within high-stress court environments and support critical diversions to behavioral health resources.
• Supports the Lead Assessor by completing assessment and screening for defendants using assessments or other tools identified through the referral process. Conduct face to face assessments with individuals, at the office, in the community or other locations to identify needs including substance abuse, criminogenic needs, risk level, medical, psychological, vocational, social, family, and daily living.
• Provides information and assistance to victims of current crimes who are seeking temporary restraining orders and injunctions.
• Provide follow-up services for victims of current crimes who have sought and/or obtained restraining orders and injunctions.
• Access Criminal History and Driving Record information to assist coworkers and court users.
• Assist revoked drivers in obtaining valid driving status through identifying the tasks required in each individual case and providing guidance in how to complete them.
• Facilitate cognitive-behavioral intervention groups, track attendance in the DOC Portal, and coordinate with referral sources. Group sessions are typically held weekly in the evenings.
• Other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
This section details the essential competencies required to perform the job effectively, including a mix of technical knowledge, practical skills, and personal attributes.

• Knowledge of effective customer service practices and the ability to apply them in a court environment.
• Awareness of local community resources, public services, and social programs available.
• Ability to interpret court calendars and coordinate with coworkers to assist with public way finding.
• Technical proficiency in the use of relevant software applications, databases, or other technology tools used in the position (e.g., Microsoft Office, CCAP, Outlook, SharePoint, etc.).
• Ability to prioritize tasks, manage time effectively, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to perform tasks with a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail.
• Ability to collaborate with colleagues across departments to achieve common goals.
• Ability to apply ethical judgment, establish professional boundaries, and maintain confidentiality regarding business-related files, reports, and conversations, within the provision of open records law and other applicable State and Federal Statutes and Regulations.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position.

LANGUAGE SKILLS
This section outlines the communication abilities necessary for effective performance. These skills reflect the need to interact with the public, colleagues, and other stakeholders in a clear, professional, and effective manner.

• Ability to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing, with a wide range of individuals, including the public, colleagues, and supervisors.
• Bilingual Spanish speaking skills preferred.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply information from complex documents such as laws, regulations, policies, procedures, and reports.
• Ability to engage with the public, handle inquiries, resolve conflicts, and build positive relationships with a diverse population.

REASONING ABILITY
This section outlines the cognitive skills required to perform the job effectively. This includes the ability to apply logic, make decisions, solve problems, and understand complex information.

• Ability to identify and define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to make decisions that are sound, well-informed, and timely, even in stressful situations.
• Ability to analyze situations, consider various perspectives, anticipate potential issues, and make recommendations or decisions based on logical reasoning.
• Ability to interpret complex information, recognize patterns, and understand the implications of actions or decisions.
• Ability to think conceptually and understand the relationships between ideas that are not immediately obvious.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description 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 or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee's supervisor.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Work requires the occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, using hands to handle, feel, and perform fine motor skills and repetitive motions, and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms overhead or below the waist.
• Sufficient vision to perform tasks such as reading documents, operating vehicles, or working with detailed data.
• Ability to hear and understand speech at normal levels for tasks such as communicating with the public, colleagues, or over the phone.
• Ability to use standard office equipment (computer, phone, copier).
• Ability to work in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic).

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Indoor office or court setting with heavy public contact during normal business hours.
• May occasionally need to meet with individuals in jail.
• Cognitive Behavioral group facilitation is in a classroom setting, typically in the evening.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Associates' degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Human Services, Psychology, or closely related field and two (2) years of experience working in human services, criminal justice, legal support, victim services, behavioral health, case management, community outreach, court services, or other closely related professional experience involving direct client assistance or resource coordination OR ;
• Bachelors' degree in Criminology, Criminal Justice, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Health, Human Services, Psychology, or closely related field and one (1) year of experience working in human services, criminal justice, legal support, victim services, behavioral health, case management, community outreach, court services, or other closely related professional experience involving direct client assistance or resource coordination.
• Must obtain Moral Reconation Therapy (MRT) certification within six (6) months of hire.
• Must obtain Assessment Certification within six (6) months of hire.
• Must be a Notary or obtain Notary status within six (6) months of hire.
• Must complete any required crisis or de-escalation training.
• Must successfully pass criminal background check and be TIME certified.