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What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The Juvenile Branch has jurisdiction over delinquency, dependency, termination of parental rights and adoption proceedings.

You must visit www.courts.phila.gov/employment to apply for this position by September 30,  2022.   APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED AT www.courts.phila.gov/employment

GENERAL DEFINITION:

This is highly professional legal work serving in the capacity of a Juvenile Court Hearing Officer with the Juvenile Branch of Family Court, specifically to hear Delinquency and Dependency matters.  The candidate selected will be assigned to hear Delinquency and/or Dependency matters, as determined by the operational needs of the court on an ongoing basis.
This work is performed in a quasi-judicial setting and involves conducting delinquency and dependency hearings. These hearings are held in accordance with the requirements of the Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure, the Juvenile Act, and the Rules of Juvenile Court Procedure for Dependency Matters and the Rules of Juvenile Court for Delinquency Matters.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are normal for this position.  These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive, other duties may be required and assigned:

Dependency Court

• Conduct shelter care hearings to determine whether “to allow the child to remain in the home would be contrary to the welfare of the child;” whether “reasonable efforts were made to prevent or eliminate the need for removal of the child from the home” or not required “due to the emergency nature of the situation, safety considerations, and circumstances of the family.”
• Conducts permanency hearings to determine or review the permanency plan of a child, to determine the date by which the goal of permanency for the child might be achieved, and to determine whether placement continues to be best suited to the safety, protection and physical, mental and moral welfare of the child. 
• Hold case management conferences for cases involving contested goal change/termination of parental rights and contested permanent legal custody.
• Issue case management orders setting forth deadlines relating to management of the case prior to the contested hearing.
• Conduct mandatory pre-trial conferences to determine compliance with the case management order and to establish the readiness of the case to proceed as scheduled.

Delinquency Court

• Conduct review hearings of juveniles adjudicated delinquent or placed on Recorded Consent Decrees (RCD) and deferred adjudication to determine whether the youth’s community based programming and services or placement continues to be consistent with the protection of the public interest and is best suited to the child’s treatment, supervision, rehabilitation, safety, protection and welfare.
• Evaluate whether placement is necessary to provide balanced attention to the protection of the community, the imposition of accountability for offenses committed and the development of competencies to enable the child to become a responsible and productive member of the community.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:

Standard office conditions.

You must visit www.courts.phila.gov/employment to apply for this position by September 30,  2022.   APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED AT www.courts.phila.gov/employment

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Thorough knowledge of the Pennsylvania Juvenile Rules of Civil Procedure governing actions for Delinquency and Dependency.
• Thorough knowledge of statutory and case law relating to Delinquent and Dependent cases.
• Thorough knowledge of rules of evidence and methodology
• Thorough knowledge of the proper conduct of hearings held in accordance with Pennsylvania laws.
• Thorough knowledge of the preparation of legal documents and court orders.
• Ability to exercise judgment and discretion in applying law to factual situations and support recommendations made by appropriate legal authority.
• Ability to fairly and objectively rule on a multitude of cases that involve highly emotional issues.
• Ability to present ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­The First Judicial District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the First Judicial District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

You must visit www.courts.phila.gov/employment to apply for this position by September 30,  2022.   APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED AT www.courts.phila.gov/employment

REQUIREMENTS

1.    Minimum of five (5) consecutive years as a licensed attorney.
2.    Member in good standing of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for the duration of employment.
3.    Five (5) years of experience with an active law practice including the field of delinquency and dependency law.
4.    Compliance with all Qualifications of Juvenile Court Hearing Officer set forth in Pa.R.J.C.P. 182 AND Pa.R.J.C.P. 1182 prior to undertaking duties, and ongoing compliance with said requirements throughout the course of employment.
                                                                          AND/OR
5.    Experience as a Judicial Law Clerk to a Family Court Judge or as a Court appointed litigator for five (5) years.           AND/OR
6.    Equivalent combination of training and experience which provide the characteristics required to perform the essential functions of the class.
7.    After meeting minimum application standards by a panel review, must complete an evaluation and interview process.
8.    Successful completion of a criminal background investigation.
9.    City residency required within six (6) months of satisfactory completion of an employment orientation period.
10.    Ability to perform essential functions of the position.
11.    Proof of Covid -19 vaccination required.

You must visit www.courts.phila.gov/employment to apply for this position by September 30,  2022.   APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED AT www.courts.phila.gov/employment

Salary Range: $81,303- $90,504

Successful candidate must be a city of Philadelphia resident within six months of hire

Did you know?

• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
• 25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available

The First Judicial District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the First Judicial District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer