Position Summary:
Under the direction of the Senior Hearing Administrator, the Court Liaison Worker promotes the mission of PGCPS by serving as an advocate for students and consultant to principals, school staff, parents/guardians, the courts and county agencies to reduce barriers that impede school success. The Court Liaison Worker establishes and maintains partnerships between the Department of Student Services and county agencies, Truancy Reduction Court, Family Court, Circuit and District Courts and the community to promote student achievement.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Represents PGCPS in the Circuit Court, Family Court, and Truancy Reduction Court for Prince George’s County;
- Provides school records and information of students who appear before the court;
- Analyzes the need and abilities of students before the court and collaborates with school personnel to develop programs to meet the students’ needs;
- Advises and clarifies Board of Education policies and procedures to the court;
- Informs and advises the court in all matters relating to school placements, regular and special programs, facilities, special schools, etc.;
- Conducts conferences with parents, students, attorneys and judges when requested;
- Responds to pupil personnel workers, school administrators, principals, and area superintendents needing confirmation of adults, names of probation specialists, and status of students in the juvenile system, court conferences and related court resources;
- Obtains documentation of current attendance, grades for students on daily dockets for judges/juvenile masters;
- Represents PGCPS with the Maryland Department of Juvenile Justice by providing court ordered school records and information of student for whom investigation has been ordered; interprets and analyzes the need and abilities of students to develop and recommend appropriate educational programs to meet the students’ needs; and maintain a close working relationship with the probation specialists assigned to work with students being committed to or returning from juvenile detention facilities to facilitate their satisfactory adjustment;
- Facilitates their entry into PGCPS, as appropriate, of students leaving the DSS system;
- Represents the PGCPS with the Department of Social Services of Prince George’s County by providing via subpoena schools records and information for students involved in CINA and Protective Services cases; advises and clarifies Board of Education policies and procedures; interprets and analyzes the needs and abilities of students at the request of Social Service’s attorneys and collaborates with school personnel to develop and recommend appropriate educational programs; and facilitates school placement of students who are in shelter/foster care facilities and/or group homes via court action;
- Represents the PGCPS with the States Attorney’s Office by taking service of all school related subpoena requests and processing to appropriate school personnel; monitors summons/subpoenas from the Public Defender’s Office, the Sheriff’s Department, and private attorneys; provides to State’s Attorneys all court ordered school records and student information; disburses and collects Victim Impact Statements for restitution; and coordinates all adult truancy petitions requiring Circuit Court action;
- Chairs the PGCPS Interagency Attendance Committee by chairing the committee and coordinating the attendance of representatives from Social Services, Juvenile Services, Mental Health, States Attorney’s Office, Police Department, and school personnel from special education, health, psychological services and student services. Responsibilities include referral collection, agenda preparation and conduct of meeting; communication of committee recommendations to pupil personnel workers, school personnel and appropriate agencies; and conducts workshops and in-service training for staff and school based personnel regarding implementation of attendance policy and procedures;
- Maintains and monitors multiple databases of bullying/harassment/intimidation reports/investigations; gangs, gang activity and similar destructive or illegal group behavior reports/investigations; and reportable offense reports for preparation of MSDE reporting;
- Serves as the representative for PGCPS on the following committees: Juvenile Court Advisory Committee, Teen Court Committee, Juvenile Drug Court Committee, Juvenile Services Transition Team Committee, and Truancy Reduction Court Committee;
- Appears at PTAs, community programs, church groups as a panel guest; and
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Effective communication and human relations skills;
- Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills;
- Effective writing skills;
- Ability to work with and among groups of diverse populations; and
- Demonstrated knowledge of federal, state and local laws, policies and regulations.
Education and/or Experience Requirements:
Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in social work, education or related field. A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience.
Certification:
Holds or is eligible for certification/licensure appropriate to area of assignment issued by the Maryland State Department of Education; pupil personnel worker endorsement required.
Supervisory Responsibilities:
No direct supervisory responsibilities.
Physical Demands:
The physical demands 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 frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.
Working Environment:
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
Additional Information:
None.
