Housing Court Specialist

Posting number: 10839-HR

Department: 0118 - Muni Court Housing

Division: 011801 - Cleveland Muni Court-Housing

Job classification: Hsng Court Specialist

Posting type: Open

Categories: Court Administration

Summary

Housing Court Specialist

JOB PURPOSE AND OVERVIEW

Under the supervision of the Chief Housing Court Specialist, the Housing Court Specialist assists constituents with landlord-tenant matters and other housing-related issues. The Housing Court Specialist is also trained to perform community control functions in connection with the Court’s criminal docket and is responsible for managing an assigned caseload. These responsibilities include monitoring compliance with Court orders relating to property maintenance and applicable state and local laws governing properties located within the Court’s jurisdiction, including the City of Cleveland and the Village of Bratenahl.

Examples of duties
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES
The following duties describe the general nature and level of work performed by the Housing Court Specialist. They are not intended to constitute a comprehensive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the position. Other duties may be assigned by the Judge, Court Administrator, or Chief Housing Court Specialist.

1. Communicate to tenants, landlords, and other interested parties the rights, duties, and responsibilities established under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321, commonly known as the Ohio Landlord-Tenant Act.
2. Provide procedural assistance to interested parties, including information regarding appropriate Court forms for pleadings, motions, rent deposits, complaints, and other filings, without providing legal advice.
3. Assist parties with matters involving the restoration of utility services when services may have been improperly terminated.
4. Conduct mediations and assist with rent-deposit hearings and related proceedings.
5. Conduct presentence investigations, prepare status updates, and provide professional recommendations, reports, and testimony to the Court as part of case-management responsibilities.
6. Administer and monitor alternative sentencing programs, including community service and other Court-authorized alternatives to traditional penalties.
7. Monitor and enforce compliance with Court orders and supervise individuals placed on community control.
8. Conduct field visits and property observations as necessary and prepare reports regarding the condition and status of properties before the Court.
9. Accurately document case activity, community control supervision, contacts, field visits, and other relevant information in the Court’s electronic case-management system.
10. Respond to telephone calls and other inquiries from members of the public concerning housing, property, and landlord-tenant matters.
11. Communicate and coordinate with parties and agencies involved in the code-compliance process, including City Council representatives, community development corporations, block clubs, inspectors, neighborhood organizations, and other governmental and community partners.
12. Attend and participate in neighborhood, community, and agency meetings and provide general information regarding Housing Court programs, procedures, and services.
13. Provide educational information and resources regarding appropriate property-management and tenant-screening practices to interested landlords, consistent with the scope of the position.
14. Provide outreach, resources, intake, and assessment services to identify client needs and make appropriate referrals to community resources and service providers.
15. Maintain required continuing-education and professional-development hours in accordance with Court and departmental requirements.
16. Successfully complete required training administered or approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio, including mediation training, applicable probation/community control officer coursework, and ongoing professional-development requirements.
17. Perform other duties as assigned.
    

Qualifications
Applicants must possess a combination of education, experience, skills, and personal characteristics sufficient to demonstrate the ability to successfully perform the duties of the position. Minimum qualifications include:

1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, preferably in urban planning, criminal justice, public administration, social sciences, or a related field. Relevant professional experience, including experience in residential or commercial code enforcement, may be considered in lieu of the degree requirement.
2. Strong interpersonal, written, and oral communication skills, including demonstrated ability in public outreach and public speaking.
3. Ability to manage multiple responsibilities and priorities while maintaining accurate, timely, and concise documentation.
4. Experience working in a court, governmental, legal, housing, community-development, code-enforcement, or related environment is preferred.
5. Ability to communicate clearly and professionally, both verbally and in writing, including providing information and testimony on the record during Court proceedings when required.
6. Knowledge of, or ability to learn, municipal laws, codes, and ordinances relating to the maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation of residential and commercial properties.
7. Knowledge of, or ability to learn, federal, state, and municipal laws applicable to landlord-tenant and housing-related matters.
8. Ability to accommodate varying work demands, including field visits, mediations, community meetings, and occasional assignments outside regular work hours.
9. Knowledge of common office practices, procedures, technology, and equipment.
10. Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and the ability to learn Court-specific case-management and other business software.
11. Valid Ohio driver’s license, automobile insurance, and reliable access to a vehicle for required field assignments.

The qualifications listed above are guidelines for selection purposes. The Court reserves the right to consider equivalent combinations of education, training, and experience that demonstrate an applicant’s ability to perform the essential functions of the position.

Supplemental information
COURT EXPECTATIONS OF EMPLOYEES
The Court expects all employees to comply with Court policies, procedures, rules, and directives; maintain professional conduct both inside and outside the workplace; perform assigned duties accurately, thoroughly, and in a timely manner; meet established performance and productivity expectations; and communicate appropriately with supervisors regarding work assignments and departmental matters.

Employees are additionally expected to:

1. Communicate effectively and professionally with members of the public, governmental agencies, attorneys, judicial officers, and Court staff.
2. Demonstrate effective conflict-resolution, problem-solving, mediation, and presentation skills.
3. Prioritize assignments and work independently while maintaining strong organizational, time-management, and attention-to-detail skills.
4. Demonstrate the ability to work effectively and respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds and communities.
5. Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor appropriate for a representative of the Court.
6. Maintain the confidentiality of sensitive Court, employee, litigant, and case-related information.
7. Demonstrate dependability, reliability, punctuality, and regular attendance.
8. Exercise patience, objectivity, maturity, initiative, adaptability, sound judgment, and the ability to perform effectively in stressful or challenging situations.

AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT / UNCLASSIFIED STATUS
The Housing Court Specialist is an unclassified, at-will employee who serves at the pleasure of the Housing Court Judge. This position is not a civil service position and is not represented by a collective bargaining unit.

Nothing contained in this job description creates or should be construed as creating a contract of employment or a guarantee of employment for any specific period.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of all pre-employment requirements applicable to the position, which may include a criminal background check and drug screening.

The employee must also satisfy any training, certification, licensing, driving, or other requirements applicable to the position.

PROBATIONARY PERIOD
Newly hired Housing Court Specialists will serve a six-month (180-day) probationary period. Successful completion of the probationary period does not alter the employee’s at-will or unclassified employment status.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Cleveland Municipal Court – Housing Division is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provides equal employment opportunities in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local law.

The City's guiding principles are as follows: Placing Clevelanders at the Center, Empowering Employees to Do Purposeful Work, Defining Clear and Pragmatic Objectives, Leading with Trust and Transparency, Striving for Equity in All We Do, and Embracing Change. All City employees are responsible for embracing and carrying out these principles in all that they do