County of Alameda

Child Support Attorney I (#3150)

Bargaining Unit: Unrep - General Mgmt (U15)
$54.64-$82.87 Hourly / $4,371.20-$6,629.60 BiWeekly /
$9,470.93-$14,364.13 Monthly / $113,651.20-$172,369.60 Yearly

DESCRIPTION
Child Support Attorneys, under close supervision at the lower level and general supervision at the higher level, learn and perform a wide variety of professional legal work in connection with the Child Support Program; provide legal advice and assistance related to child support program issues to department staff, other governmental agencies and the public; supervise and/or provide direction to support staff; and perform related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES 

This flexibly staffed series is located in the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS) and has responsibility for litigation and the legal work of the department.  The Child Support Attorney series is distinguished from the Child Support Caseworker series in that the former are required to be members of the California Bar Association and are professionally responsible for the legal work they produce and supervise.  

This is the trainee level class in the Child Support Attorney series.  Incumbents learn and perform a variety of basic litigation and other essential legal skills related to child support laws while also assisting other experienced attorneys.  After one year of full-time satisfactory performance at the Child Support Attorney I level, incumbents are expected to gain experience and demonstrate proficiency which qualifies them to flexibly promote to the Child Support Attorney II classification.  Appointment at the Child Support Attorney I level will not be extended beyond one year.


EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
NOTE: The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1.  Manages an active court caseload, ensuring actions are handles in a timely manner.

2.  Investigates, researches, and prepares child support cases for litigation; leverages technology and available case management systems and tools.

3.  Interviews Litigants, witnesses, and other interested parties with a goal of resolving child support cases pursuant to federal, state and department laws, regulations and policies.

4.  Reviews and approves legal pleadings, including complaints, motions, orders, and judgements required for hearings, trails, and related legal proceedings.

5.  Interprets and applies laws; court decisions; local, state and federal regulations; and other legal authorities for use in the preparation of child support cases.

6.  Reviews and prepares legal pleadings, including complaints, responses, demurrers, discoveries, motions, orders, and judgments required for hearings, trials, and related legal proceedings.

7.  Consults and advises a variety of departmental staff on questions of law and procedure related to child support cases; may organize and conduct trainings on legal topics related to the child support program.

8.  Performs legal research and prepares briefs and opinions concerning matters within the department.

9.  Negotiates with opposing counsel and other attorneys regarding the disposition of child support matters.

10. Regularly appears in Court; works closely with court staff, judicial officers, other child support agencies and other public agencies to establish, modify and enforce child support orders.

11. Engages in additional legal research or other projects as assigned by the Supervising Attorney, Deputy Director or Director.

12. Contributes to program and performance related initiatives and projects.

13. May represent the Department at work groups, meetings, community events, training and conferences.

14. Provides responsive, high quality service to County employees, representatives of outside agencies and members of the public by providing accurate, complete and up-to-date information, in a courteous, efficient and timely manner.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education:

Current active membership and good standing with the State Bar of California.

License:

Must possess and maintain a valid California Motor Vehicle Operator's license.  (Out of state valid motor Vehicle Operator's license will be accepted during the application process.)

Special Requirements:

A thorough pre-employment background investigation, including fingerprinting will be conducted for all candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of employment to ensure they are suitable for Child Support related work.  A felony conviction will be disqualifying.

Ability and willingness to travel to locations outside of the assigned office to perform necessary legal services or to participate in child support related activities.

NOTE:  The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
NOTE:  The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:
  • California civil and criminal codes related to child support.
  • Principles of civil, criminal, constitutional, and administrative law.
  • Trial and courtroom procedures and practices.
  • Administrative law procedures.
  • Legal research methods.
  • Rules of evidence.
  • Standard legal office practices and procedures.
  • Supervisory principles and practices.
  • Ethical and professional standards of conduct.
  • Negotiating techniques relative to child law, criminal law, and child support issues.
  • Current technology and trends in the profession.
  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

Ability to:
  • Use with proficiency and efficiency a variety of proprietary and non-proprietary computer applications including Windows, MS Office, and those specifically related to the Child Support Program.
  • Communicate effectively and exercise a high degree of interpersonal sensitivity in interactions with others.
  • Research, analyze, and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents.
  • Prepare and present statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically orally and in writing.
  • Exercise appropriate judgement in answering questions and releasing information; analyze and project consequences of decisions and /or recommendations.
  • Analyze processes, procedures and policies and make recommendations to improve efficiency and performance.
  • Manage an assigned caseload and perform quality legal work under pressure of deadlines.
  • Provide prompt, efficient and responsive service.
  • Maintain confidentiality and objectivity.
  • Negotiate settlements.
  • Understand and analyze financial information pertinent to the calculation of child support and perform accurate mathematical calculations.
  • Understand and accept differences in human behavior, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
  • Prepare and maintain clear, concise, and comprehensive records, reports, and correspondence. 
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY
BG:pf 4/11/02
Newspec: 3150-3151.doc
CSC Date: 4/24/02
KU:pf 11/4/02
Newspec: 3150-3151-3152-3153.doc
CSC Date: 11/20/02
SG:po Revised 1/22/08
CSC Date: 3/12/2008
SG:po Revised 7/1/08
CSC Date: 8/13/08
LC:ah Revised 12/05/18
CSC Date: 12/19/18

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

  • Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
  • Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
  • Vision or Vision Reimbursement
  • Share the Savings
  • Basic Life Insurance 
  • Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
  • County Allowance Credit
  • Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
  • Short-Term Disability Insurance
  • Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
  • Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

  • Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
  • Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

  • 12 paid holidays
  • Floating Holidays
  • Vacation and sick leave accrual
  • Vacation purchase program
  • Management Paid Leave**
  • Catastrophic Sick Leave
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits Program
  • Guaranteed Ride Home
  • Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
  • Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
  • Child Care Resources
  • 1st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.




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