ATTORNEY I/II/III/IV - CHILD SUPPORT ATTORNEYS

Job Specifications

SANTA CRUZ COUNTY

Series Specification/Deep Class

Under direction, to perform professional legal work for the County through the Department of Child Support Services; to prepare and try civil cases in Family courts; to supervise enforcement and collection under applicable California Civil/Government/Family Code Section; to perform special or supervisory assignments on a rotational basis; and do other work as required.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Attorney I is the entry and first professional level. Incumbents are required to be members of the California State Bar but need no experience practicing law and work under the direction of a more experienced attorney.

Attorney II is the second professional level. Incumbents will handle routine cases with normal guidance from a more experienced attorney. Incumbents may be assigned ongoing administrative responsibility for a functional area.

Attorney III is the third professional level. Incumbents will generally handle any case in Superior Court with only occasional guidance. Incumbents may be assigned ongoing administrative responsibility for a functional area. A Supervising Attorney assignment (deep class) may be assigned on a rotational basis.

Attorney IV is the fully qualified journey level. Incumbents generally handle the more complex cases in any court in the County. Incumbents may be assigned ongoing administrative responsibility for a functional area and serve as Supervising Attorney in their absence. An Attorney IV for assignment manage ment, supervision and/or budget preparation (deep class) may be assigned on a rotational basis.

TYPICAL TASKS

Prepares and handles civil cases related to child support under the jurisdiction of the Department of Child Support Services; reviews reports, evidence and makes decisions on actions to be brought; interviews and advises complainants and witnesses; examines, evaluates and presents evidence; negotiates case dispositions with opposing counsel; tries civil cases before administrative hearing officers, Federal, and State courts; processes appeals in Federal and State courts, prepares opinions, briefs, pleadings, warrants, and other legal documents; studies and analyzes writs, pleadings, exhibits, case files and records in order to ascertain the issues before the court and appropriate legal precedent; conducts specialized legal research and prepares memoranda regarding the results of such research; provides legal advice and training to applicable agencies. A Level III/IV may serve as Supervising Attorney respon sible for supervising subordinate attorneys including: assigning and reviewing of cases; preparing performance evaluations; providing technical and adminis trative supervision, advice and training; making case filing decisions; devel oping new or improving existing systems and procedures to facilitate efficient and effective work flow of cases in the office and through the courts; negoti ating, and/or approving settlement decisions; acting as a liaison between the work unit and related departments and agencies on assigned cases; providing coverage for attorneys in unit as needed and maintaining an additional case load, as required. Litigate and negotiate the most complex and intricate civil cases or assignments related to child support.

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS

Knowledge of:

Attorney I

Some knowledge of:

• Legal principles and their application;
• Legal research methods;
• Principles and practices of civil and administrative law.

Attorney II

Working knowledge of the above, plus:

• California Civil Law, family law, and bankruptcy law;
• Rules of the courts, procedures and policies of the Department of Child Support Services;
• Administrative practices and policies may be required for some positions;
• Principals and practices of civil law related to child support.

Attorney III/IV

• Thorough knowledge of the above;
• Knowledge of principles of supervision, administrative practices and policies

Ability to:

All Levels

• Analyze and apply legal principles and precedents to legal problems;
• Present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form;
• Act as an effective trial advocate;
• Ability to complete assignments in a timely fashion;
• Ability to respond to court mandated request in a timely manner;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contact ed during the course of the work;
• Adhere to ethical standards;
• Ability to solve issues.

Attorney II/III/IV

• Analyze and appraise a variety of legal documents and instruments;
• Administer a functional program area of the Department of Child Support Services may be required for some positions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Any combination of education and experience which would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be:

Attorney I: Graduation from law school.

Attorney II: One year of experience as an attorney practicing civil and family law.

Attorney III: Two years of experience as an attorney practicing civil and family law related to child support.

Attorney IV: Three years of experience as an attorney practicing civil and family related to child support.

Experience gained after admission to a State Bar.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS

• Membership in the California State Bar is required for all levels. (NOTE: For Attorney I, law school graduates who have taken the California Bar Exam and not yet received their results, may participate in a recruitment/examination process. Names of candidates who pass the County examination will be placed inactive on the eligible list until the County receives written confirmation of their passing the California State Bar Exam.)
• Fingerprint/Background Investigation: Ability to pass a background investiga tion.
• Fingerprinting is required.
• Physically and mentally capable of performing the position's essential func tions as summarized in the typical tasks.