JUVENILE CASE COORDINATOR

Oacdl; Akron, Northern (OH, KY); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Paid sick time

Life insurance

Dental

Vision

Medical insurance

Parental leave

Retirement 401(k)

Job summary

The Summit Legal Defenders, based in Akron, Ohio, seeks a dedicated social services professional to represent indigent clients in delinquency and parental representation cases. This exempt, at-will role requires collaboration with clients, lawyers, and community partners, plus strong advocacy across a racially and economically diverse population.

Responsibilities include client communication, records gathering, and developing comprehensive rehabilitation plans for juveniles, with training and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, sociology, social work, psychology, or a closely related field.
• Minimum one year’s experience in the field of social services.
• Ohio licensed social worker is highly preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Experience with racially and socioeconomically marginalized communities.
• Knowledge of Summit County resources preferred.

Responsibilities

• Maintain regular communication with clients and attend court hearings as needed.
• Work collaboratively with clients, lawyers, parent advocates, SCCS case workers, and outside agencies.
• Obtain necessary records to aid in the successful representation of the client.
• Assess and evaluate client’s needs and case plan compliance and make referrals to service providers as needed.
• Attend and advocate for clients at SCCS Family Team Meetings and Semi-Annual Reviews.
• Create and maintain mitigation timelines and records for juveniles.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Communication skills

Client advocacy

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in criminal justice or related field

Tools

MS Office

Remote meeting software

Case management systems

Job description

SALARY AND BENEFITS

• Salary range $55,000.00-$65,000.00 commensurate with experience.
• Benefits include paid vacation, sick time, life insurance, dental, vision, medical, parental leave, and retirement 401(k).
• Employees are not eligible for participation in the OPERS retirement system, but qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• This is an exempt, at-will position.
• The outside practice of social work/counseling is not permitted.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Maintain regular communication with clients and attend court hearings as needed

Work collaboratively with clients, lawyers, parent advocates, SCCS case workers, and outside agencies

Obtain necessary records to aid in the successful representation of the client

Assess and evaluate client’s needs and case plan compliance and make referrals to service providers as needed

Attend and advocate for clients at SCCS Family Team Meetings and Semi-Annual Reviews

Create and maintain mitigation timelines and records for juveniles

Develop comprehensive release and rehabilitation plans for juveniles

Perform interviews with juveniles, family, friends, and community members for mitigation

Provide emotional support for clients

Assist attorneys in communication with clients experiencing unique challenges such as developmental delays, complex trauma, severe mental health issues

Participate in trainings within and outside the office

Attend community events/meetings related to the work of Summit Legal Defenders

Other duties as assigned related to both delinquency and parental representation

REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, sociology, social work, psychology, or a closely related field.
• Minimum one year’s experience in the field of social services.
• Rev 09/21/2026
• Ohio licensed social worker is highly preferred.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience working in and with racially and socioeconomically marginalized communities.
• Demonstrate an understanding of the issues of race, poverty, mental health, and substance abuse as they relate to parent and youth’s experience of the legal system.
• Knowledge of Summit County resources preferred
• Commitment to social justice and an unwavering belief in the right to representation for defendants.
• Experience with documentation, note taking, and report writing
• Proficiency in MS Office applications, remote meeting software platforms, and use of online case management systems.
• Local travel between courthouses and our main office is necessary therefore reliable transportation/driver’s license required.

The Summit Legal Defenders’ mission is to treat every client as an individual, not the sum of their charges. We envision our work within the context of social justice and the opportunity for growth and change. Our attorneys work to offer solutions to problems and navigate the criminal justice system in partnership with the client. Our goal is to provide high-quality legal service to the indigent population of Summit County in a respectful, diligent, and responsive manner. We are a non-profit agency established in 1974 with our main office in downtown Akron, Ohio, led by Director Andrea Whitaker. For more information, please visit our website.