Investigator

Erie County, Pennsylvania; Erie (Erie County); On-site; USD 43,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Erie County Courthouse seeks an Investigator to serve citations/petitions for guardianship, review reports, and assist in custody matters. You will present findings to the Orphans' Court and advise on noncompliance issues. The role involves collaborating with guardians, parents, and professionals to support court decisions.

The position is full-time, on site in Erie County, with a starting pay of $22.30 per hour and a 37.5-hour work week. Equal opportunity employer with a focus on fair treatment.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work with others in challenging circumstances.
• Familiarity with Orphans' Court law and procedure.
• A working knowledge of accounting, writing and computer skills.

Responsibilities

• Serves Citations/Petitions for Guardianship and presents reports to the judge.
• Reviews Annual Guardianship Reports and Informal Accountings; makes recommendations to the court.
• Meets with parents and others to foster custody agreement and provides recommendations to the Court.

Skills

Excellent communication

Court system knowledge

Analytical thinking

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Social Sciences or related field

Job description

• Serves Citations/Petitions of guardianship on alleged incapacitated persons. Makes recommendations to the court. Reviews state mandated Annual Periodic Reports and addresses issues of noncompliance of Court Orders. Conducts adoption Home Studies when directed by the court. Conducts adoption searches and addresses other adoption matters. General assistance to judges assigned to Orphans' Court.
• As needed, assists in the Custody Office by conducting custody conferences with parties involved in custody disputes encouraging them to resolve their disagreement in a friendly, unantagonistic manner. Makes recommendations to the court concerning proposed custody arrangements. Also acts as a back-up in the Protection From Abuse Office when needed to cover for emergencies.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serves Citations/Petitions for Guardianship on alleged incapacitated persons and presents report to the judge. Notifies the court if appointment of counsel is necessary. Attends court hearings when directed by the court. Investigates various Orphans' Court matters. Compiles necessary reports of investigations results and presents the same to the Orphans' Court judge. Addresses matters of noncompliance with a Court Order. Prepares reports and statistical information for each petition served. Files end of year statistical reports with state agencies.
• Reviews Annual Guardianship Reports of the Person and/or the Estate and Informal Accountings for minors under guardianship. Address matters of noncompliance and make recommendations to the court. Works with local adoption agencies conducting adoption searches and maintains proper documentation. Create and update Orphans' Court forms and Guardianship Handbook.
• Meets with parents and other appropriate individuals with the goal of fostering agreement for custody arrangements. Conferences may involve children, psychologists, social workers, or other human service providers. Reviews professional reports. Makes referrals to community agencies and resources encouraging consensus and agreement. Makes appropriate recommendations to the Court.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with others in challenging and perhaps hostile circumstances. Good judgment and the ability to gain the confidence of adversarial parties. Familiarity with Orphans' Court law and procedure. A comfortable knowledge of medical terminology. A working knowledge of accounting, writing and computer skills. A working knowledge of the principles of psychology and sociology.
• Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Social Sciences or related field
• Minimum of 5 years of Experience in the Court System or Social Services

Position: Investigator

Department Courts Location Erie County Courthouse Status Full Time Starting Pay Rate $22.30 Hourly Hours Per Week 37.5 Exemption Status Non-Exempt Posting Date 09/22/2026 Closing Date 10/06/2026 Pay Grade EC13 Bargaining Unit ECAPE (COURT PROF) Posting Number 5875

Definition of Class

• Serves Citations/Petitions of guardianship on alleged incapacitated persons. Makes recommendations to the court. Reviews state mandated Annual Periodic Reports and addresses issues of noncompliance of Court Orders. Conducts adoption Home Studies when directed by the court. Conducts adoption searches and addresses other adoption matters. General assistance to judges assigned to Orphans' Court.
• As needed, assists in the Custody Office by conducting custody conferences with parties involved in custody disputes encouraging them to resolve their disagreement in a friendly, unantagonistic manner. Makes recommendations to the court concerning proposed custody arrangements. Also acts as a back-up in the Protection From Abuse Office when needed to cover for emergencies.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Serves Citations/Petitions for Guardianship on alleged incapacitated persons and presents report to the judge. Notifies the court if appointment of counsel is necessary. Attends court hearings when directed by the court. Investigates various Orphans' Court matters. Compiles necessary reports of investigations results and presents the same to the Orphans' Court judge. Addresses matters of noncompliance with a Court Order. Prepares reports and statistical information for each petition served. Files end of year statistical reports with state agencies.
• Reviews Annual Guardianship Reports of the Person and/or the Estate and Informal Accountings for minors under guardianship. Address matters of noncompliance and make recommendations to the court. Works with local adoption agencies conducting adoption searches and maintains proper documentation. Create and update Orphans' Court forms and Guardianship Handbook.
• Meets with parents and other appropriate individuals with the goal of fostering agreement for custody arrangements. Conferences may involve children, psychologists, social workers, or other human service providers. Reviews professional reports. Makes referrals to community agencies and resources encouraging consensus and agreement. Makes appropriate recommendations to the Court.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively with others in challenging and perhaps hostile circumstances. Good judgment and the ability to gain the confidence of adversarial parties. Familiarity with Orphans' Court law and procedure. A comfortable knowledge of medical terminology. A working knowledge of accounting, writing and computer skills. A working knowledge of the principles of psychology and sociology.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice, Psychology, Social Sciences or related field
• Minimum of 5 years of Experience in the Court System or Social Services

Conditions Of Employment

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Erie County provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, prohibits discrimination or harassment of any type on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Erie County Government values the power of diversity in our workforce. Our goal is to continue developing inclusive workforce policies that require individual equality, support the diversity of employee experiences, and include unique perspectives.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.