Attorney-Referee
Saginaw County Employment Opportunity
Equal Opportunity Employer
Job Title:
Attorney-Referee [101148]
Department:
Family Division
Date Posted:
08/19/25
Salary:
Starting at $89,713.20 annually
Type of
Employment:
Regular Full-Time g Regular Part-Time c Part-Time c Temporary/On-call c
WHERE TO APPLY:
- If a current employee: Sign into “County Connect” https://saginawcounty.sharepoint.com/sites/CountyConnect and under the “Employee Resources” tab, select “Job Postings.” Click the “Select One” button and utilize the dropdown selection to choose the posting. Click “Apply” and complete the electronic application.
- Scan the QR code
- Select “Apply Online” at Saginaw County Job Postings;
- Complete a “Printable Application” and return by:
- Mail: Personnel Division of the Administrator’s Office
Saginaw County Governmental Center
111 South Michigan, Saginaw, Michigan, 48602
- Fax: 989-790-5566
Deadline to apply: September 9, 2025
Saginaw County is a drug-free workplace as such individuals must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen (marijuana is included) and pre-employment physical.
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General Definition of Work:
Performs difficult professional work conducting hearings, reviewing complaints, petitions, handling of emergent issues, participating in collaborative community partner meetings, and related work as apparent or assigned. Work is performed under the general direction of the Court Administrator.
Essential Functions:
- Conducts hearings in neglect cases involving the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, prosecuting attorneys, workers, respondent parents, attorneys for the respondent parents, Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and a lawyer-guardian ad litem; documents reviews prior to the hearings, as the court receives reports from case workers, parenting education services, therapists, substance abuse treatment and tests, psychological evaluations, CASA reports, and school records.
- Conducts hearings in juvenile delinquency and traffic cases with prosecuting attorneys, juveniles and their parents, juvenile's attorneys, probation officers, police officers, community mental health (CMH) workers, treatment providers; reviews the complaints and petitions, intake reports, probation reports, treatment reports from CMH, treatment reports from placements, and reports from school.
- Handles after-hours emergency removal requests from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and some after-hours delinquency related emergencies or detention placements, which both may require a hearing on Saturday morning.
- Performs research on juvenile delinquency and dependent neglect legal issues; reviews appellate court decisions; reviews documents for hearings and writing opinions, including termination of parental rights opinions.
- Handles emergent issues, including violation of probation, and pick-up orders.
- Participates in collaborative community partner meetings.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education: Juris Doctorate
Experience: Considerable (3 plus years) experience in related legal work in the fields of family law, juvenile law, criminal law, research and legal writing, and traffic code, or equivalent combination of education and experience
Special Requirements:
- Membership to the State Bar of Michigan
- Valid driver’s license in the State of Michigan
Perks of Working for Saginaw County
Saginaw County provides a comprehensive benefits package to its eligible employees.
Health/Dental/Vision; Defined Contribution (401a) qualified retirement plan with employer contribution, if employee puts money into a 457 account the County will match up to 2%; Short-Term Disability insurance; Health Care Savings Plan to cover expenses in retirement, with employer contributions; County paid life insurance; 14 paid holidays per year, accrue up to 72 hours of Earned Sick Time in a fiscal year, accrue PTO; employee perks program to help with discounts; discount at the YMCA of Saginaw; and competitive wages.