• Consult with and interview involved parties such as attorneys, victims, law enforcement personnel, court staff, social service personnel and medical and mental health professionals and witnesses.
• Study case history files and gather and examine other relevant documents and information.
• Review all evidence and conduct research of statutory and case law as applicable to individual cases.
• Determine and isolate critical facts and relevant law and formulate effective legal theories, strategies, arguments and testimony on which to present case.
• Plan the use of witnesses, which may include expert witnesses.
• Request investigations of significant occurrences or individuals involved with juveniles.
• Perform related work as required to include but not limited to serve on teams/committees as assigned, cross-training for other jobs as assigned, and special projects as assigned.

• Present cases in Court to establish Family Court jurisdiction over juveniles and recommend, seek and achieve an appropriate disposition to meet the juveniles’ needs and best interests.
• File initial pleadings.
• Represent the Juvenile Officer before the Court of Appeals.

• Compose legal briefs, appeals for termination of parental rights and various other legal documents which must be legally sufficient and enforceable.
• Prepare other legal documents which must be legally sufficient and enforceable.

• Operate computer to access information pertaining to status of cases.
• Answer juvenile law and procedural related questions from law enforcement personnel, which may require legal research.
• Handle requests for information related to juvenile cases by reviewing file and obtaining court order to release information, as deemed necessary.
• Attend meetings, training and seminars.
• Maintain and increase knowledge and skill of juvenile law by reviewing trends and case law on a state and federal level and by attending educational seminars and conferences.
• Provide public and community presentations.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• Some family law or domestic law trial/litigation experience would be beneficial.
• Must possess and maintain valid license to practice law by the Supreme Court of the State of Missouri, with membership in good standing in the Missouri Bar.
• Must be able to provide proof of the above.
• Must submit to and pass criminal background check as prescribed by Courts, Sex Offender Registry check, and MO and KS Child Abuse and Neglect checks.
• All applicants for this position are subject to testing for illegal drug use prior to appointment.
• Employees in this position are subject to random and reasonable suspicion testing for illegal drug use.

• Knowledge of modern principles, practices, methods and techniques of law.
• Knowledge of general law, state law, and sources of established precedent of legal reference as required by assigned duties.
• Knowledge of legal and judicial systems.
• Knowledge of the practice and procedure in state trial and appellate courts.
• Knowledge of the rules of evidence.
• Knowledge and strict observance of ethics and professional responsibility incumbent upon lawyers.
• Knowledge of and ability to work with a diverse workforce.
• Ability to communicate effectively, clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to speak publicly in court in an effective manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Ability to apply legal principles and specialized knowledge to individual cases and problems.
• Ability to analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence and precedents concerned in work assignments and to prepare written recommendations and/or opinions.
• Ability to prepare for hearings and trials.
• Ability to make sound decisions in accordance with laws, regulations and policies and procedures.
• Ability to maintain a variety of complex records and prepare reports from such records.
• Ability to operate a personal computer.
• Ability to relate in a positive fashion to individuals from a variety of cultural, economic and ethnic backgrounds.

• OFFICE ENVIRONMENT: Employees are protected from weather conditions or contaminants, but occasional temperature changes may occur.
• STANDING - 20% of time – Required when attending court and in accessing other buildings to gather case information or when delivering or retrieving information, files, etc., from within the office.
• WALKING - 20% of time – Required when attending court and in accessing other buildings to gather case information or when delivering or retrieving information, files, etc., from within the office.
• SITTING - 60% of time – Required when completing personal computer and telephone work assignments.
• LIFTING/CARRYING - 10 lbs. – Required when lifting files or office supplies.
• PUSHING/PULLING - 10 lbs. – Required when moving file boxes and office supplies; and when opening and closing file cabinet drawers and doors.
• VISION – Must be adequate to use personal computer for the completion of legal briefs and memoranda for cases.
• HEARING – Must be adequate for normal conversation with employees and the general public or communicating via telephone.
• SPEECH – Must be able to speak and understand English clearly to provide detailed information by telephone and in person.
• CLIMBING/BALANCING – Required when negotiating stairs, or retrieving files or supplies from overhead or from the floor.
• STOOPING/KNEELING/CROUCHING/CRAWLING – Required when retrieving or filing from lower drawers or when retrieving items, office supplies, etc., from the floor.
• REACHING/HANDLING – Required on most tasks.