Placer County

To perform the more difficult or complex legal work in the enforcement of child support services; to prepare and present complex and sensitive cases in court; and to provide assistance and lead direction to other professional staff.

This is the advanced journey level class in the Child Support Attorney series.  Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, and by the nature of the public contact made.  Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including preparing the most complex and sensitive cases for prosecution or providing lead direction to other child support attorneys; and coordinating the functions of a major work unit.  Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

Receives general direction from assigned Supervising Child Support Attorney.

Exercises technical and functional supervision over assigned professional, technical and clerical staff.

• Act as lead Child Support Attorney in a functional area such as civil or child support and assist professional legal staff by assigning and reviewing their work.  Develop responses to legal questions and counsel attorneys on legal strategies; review and evaluate disposition of difficult, complex, and/or politically sensitive cases; review cases.
• Upon receipt of complaints, review and examine physical and testimonial evidence; assist with interviewing witnesses; assist subordinates in making recommendations as to prosecutions.
• Conduct hearings on civil and child support cases; confer with the commissioner and/or judge, and assigned prosecuting attorney regarding charges as necessary.
• On a regular basis, try the most complex and sensitive cases in the Superior Court; prepare trial briefs; check questions of law; draft jury instructions; present opening statements; question and cross-examine witnesses as needed; argue points of law; anticipate the reasoning of opposing counsel; make final arguments and summations.
• Utilize County Investigators to secure evidence as needed.
• Advise the public and local law enforcement agencies on legal procedures.
• Conduct legal research and prepare correspondence.
• Provide administrative assistance to legal supervisory and management staff.
• Help train assigned professional legal staff.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: One year as a Child Support Attorney IV in Placer County or four years of experience in the practice of civil law, family law or child support law within the State of California, at least three years of which must have been in a District Attorney's Office, Public Defender's Office, County Counsel's Office, a local child support agency or the Department of Child Support Services in California.

Training: Active membership in the California State Bar.

Required License or Certificate:
May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

• Legal principles and practices with emphasis on civil family and child support law.
• Trial and hearing procedures.
• Legal research methods.
• Organization and procedures of the Department of Child Support Services.
• Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.

Ability to:

• Work as a lead attorney and assist other professional staff with their assigned cases.
• On a continuous basis, analyze a case and determine the law's application; identify and interpret the applicable law or statute; utilize all case precedents; work with juries and witnesses; problem solve situations that arise in cases; understand and apply case law and statutes; and explain case status to the public as required.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk and in meetings for long periods of time.  Intermittently twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone; and communicate through written means.
• Investigate and prosecute complex civil, family and child support law complaints.
• Work under time constraints and exacting professional and legal standards.
• Analyze and apply legal principles, facts and precedents to legal problems.
• Present law, facts and arguments clearly and logically in written and oral form.
• Obtain information through interviews and deal fairly and courteously with the public.
• Perform advanced legal research.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.