Child Support Attorney I

Salary: $125,686.37 - $152,777.18 Annually

The Sonoma County Department of Child Support Services seeks a dedicated and passionate attorney to join their team!

Starting salary up to $73.20/hour ($152,777/year) and a competitive total compensation package!

We are currently recruiting to fill a Child Support Attorney at either the I or II level. If you are interested in being considered at both levels of this opportunity, you must apply to the separate recruitments being conducted for those levels. If you are an experienced attorney, please check out our II level recruitment.

What We Offer

Working at the County of Sonoma offers expansive opportunities for growth and development, the ability to be a part of a challenging and rewarding work environment, and the satisfaction of knowing you're working to better our communities. When you join the Department of Child Support Services, you become part of a team-oriented group of attorneys dedicated to public service. You can also look forward to flexible work arrangements and excellent benefits including:

• Hybrid Telework - A schedule that meets the needs of our staff, department operations, and the communities we serve may be available depending on the assignment
• Salary Advancement - A salary increase after 1,040 hours (6 months when working full-time) for good work performance; eligibility for a salary increase for good performance every year thereafter, until reaching the top of the salary range
• Paid Time Off - Competitive vacation and sick leave accruals, 12 paid holidays, and an additional 8 floating holiday hours per year
• County Paid Health Premium Contributions - 100% premium contribution for the majority of employee-only and employee + family health plan options
• Staff Development/Wellness Pay - Annual benefit allowances of up to $1,702 and ongoing education/training opportunities
• Post-Retirement Health Reimbursement Arrangement - County contributions to help fund post-retirement employee health insurance/benefits
• Retirement - A pension fully integrated with Social Security
• Paid Parental Leave - May be eligible for up to 8 weeks (320 hours) after 12 months of County employment

Join Our Team

The Child Support Services Department is a team of 65 employees whose mission is to ensure that children receive the services regarding parentage and financial support to which they are legally entitled. Our Child Support Attorneys are the foundation of our program; because cases are built on the legal documentation and court decisions. We have a passion, curiosity, and understanding of not only the law, but also the individuality of each case and the importance of what is in the best interest of the family. Flexibility is required for this position because as new laws, regulations and case law change the course of a case and affect the amount of time needed to keep current on workload.

As the County's newest Child Support Attorney, you will review and prepare all legal documentation (motion, briefs, responses, liens and various other pleadings). Additionally, you will review, research, prepare and present the department in court hearings and trials, and:

• Train, communicate and advise child support laws and regulations to staff, court, private counsel and other agencies
• Interpret and apply laws, court decisions, and briefs
• Consult with and seek advice and guidance from colleagues
• Research and interpret new laws and regulations
• Present/participate in professional organizations, committees, and conferences
• You may train and advise case management and/or legal support staff

What You Bring

Skills

As the ideal candidate, you will be a confident presenter and speak for court appearances, presentations and meetings. You will hold a high level of communication skills relative to dealing with difficult or stressful situations, and have:

• The ability to create liaison relationships with other agencies and stakeholders
• Exceptional research and writing skills
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to work creatively and problem solve
• A high-functioning ability to adapt to and use specialized computer and database systems
• A great sense of humor

This Child Support Attorney I employment list established from this recruitment may also be used to fill future full-time, part-time, or extra-help positions as they occur during the active status of this list. Qualified County employees who wish to be considered for future vacancies should consider applying to this recruitment.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must be a current member of the California State Bar and possess the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, this requires:

Education: Possession of a J.D. from an accredited law school.

Experience: None required. Experience as a Law Clerk in a child support office is desirable.

Professional License: Active membership in the State Bar of California.

License: Possession of a valid driver’s license at the appropriate level including special endorsements, as required by the State of California, may be required depending upon assignment to perform the essential job functions of the position.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

The level of knowledge related to the litigation of child support cases is expected to increase with each level of this series.

Knowledge of: the duties, powers, limitations, and authorities of the Department of Child Support Services; principles and practices of civil and administrative law; civil and criminal codes related to California family law, probate, bankruptcy, and debtor/creditor law; the social and economic problems affecting public child support services; trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence; legal research methods and techniques; judicial procedures; report writing; and basic statistics.

Ability to: understand, interpret and explain laws, regulations and policies governing child support service programs and operations; prepare, present and conduct cases of law in court; present statements of law, fact and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form; analyze problems and adopt an effective course of action; establish and maintain cooperative working relationships; communicate effectively both verbally and in writing; secure cooperation and teamwork among professionals and support staff.

Selection Procedure & Some Helpful Tips When Applying

• Your application information and your responses to the supplemental questions are evaluated and taken into consideration throughout the entire selection process.
• You should list all employers and positions held within the last ten years in the work history section of your application. Be as thorough as possible when responding to the supplemental questions.
• You may include history beyond ten years if related to the position for which you are applying. If you held multiple positions with one employer, list out each position separately.
• Failure to follow these instructions may impact your competitiveness in this process or may result in disqualification.

How To Apply

Applications are accepted online at Paper applications may be submitted by person, fax (707-565-3770), email, or through the mail. All applications and appropriate supplemental information as outlined in the job bulletin must be RECEIVED by the time and date specified on the first page of this job announcement. Applications received after the recruitment closes will not be accepted.

The County of Sonoma values diversity and is dedicated to creating a workplace environment that provides individuals with a sense of belonging. We are committed to having a diverse workforce that is representative of the communities we serve. The County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer where all aspects of employment are based on merit, competence, performance, and business need.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Benefits described herein do not apply to Extra Help positions.

CLOSING DATE/TIME: 2/23/2024 11:59 PM Pacific