Caseworker I - FOC

Salary: $29.06 Hourly
Location : 82 Ionia Avenue NW Grand Rapids
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2606-289-0000
Department: Friend of the Court
Division: Friend of the Court
Opening Date: 06/05/2026
Closing Date: 6/19/2026 11:59 PM Eastern


Job Responsibilities
Kent County is seeking a dedicated Caseworker I to join the Kent County Friend of the Court. The successful candidate will perform enforcement and/or investigative duties in domestic relations cases. This individual could be responsible for managing and coordinating a large and challenging caseload of clients who expect prompt, courteous, confidential, and reliable information during stressful and sometimes difficult situations during and after court proceeding or the individual could be responsible for handling cases after a warrant has been issued, providing information, answering complicated questions about finances and court/child support processes, and engaging support payers to try to resolve warrants without jail time.


Additionally, the Caseworker may work to develop and enforce appropriate levels of child support payments, develop payment plans, and conduct additional enforcement when necessary or may handle Order to Show Cause hearings and arraignments by presenting cases in front of the judge. Additionally, there will be extensive communication with clients, attorneys, community resources, and judicial staff in person, over the phone, and via written correspondence. The successful candidate will manage high-volume mail and phone correspondence, will participate in court hearings, and will make recommendations to the Court.

The caseworker will use sound judgment and efficient strategies to work with parents in an attempt to resolve pertinent issues and to obtain court-ordered compliance. This is a challenging position which requires the ability to maintain positive communication skills while working with frustrated or emotional clients.

Minimum Qualifications


Bachelor's degree in Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Public Administration, Criminal Justice, Human Services, Behavioral Science, or related field combined with a minimum of one year of experience in domestic relations or in a court setting or as a social or other case worker, is required.

Desired skills include: Two years of work experience in case processing, enforcement, and/or other investigative work which may be similar to that performed by the Friend of the Court; previous court experience and fluency in a second language.

Additional Information
*Notices will come via email; be sure to monitor the email address indicated on your application*
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