Child Support Assistant States Attorney I-II

Company:  Frederick County , Inc.
Location: Frederick
Closing Date: 07/11/2024
Hours: Full Time
Type: Permanent
Job Requirements / Description
Salary: $80,252.00 - $137,391.00 Annually
Location : Courthouse Complex - Frederick, MD
Job Type: Full-time Regular
Job Number: FY25-00217
Department: State's Attorney
Opening Date: 10/30/2024
Closing Date: 11/13/2024 4:00 PM Eastern
JOB INFORMATION
Exempt; full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; full-benefits; grant-funded
This professional position is assigned to the Child Support Division of the State's Attorney's office with responsibility for providing legal services to the Frederick County Department of Social Services. This position is supervised by the Chief Assistant State's Attorney of Child Support and/or the State's Attorney.
NOTE : The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions. For transfers and promotions, wage rates are calculated per County policy.
Frederick County Government recognizes the principles of diversity and inclusion, and strives to ensure equal opportunities for its workforce, applicants and community members. If you are a person who wants to make a difference, give back to your community, and be a voice for change, apply to Frederick County Government today.
TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:
Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.
  • 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
  • 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
  • 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays
  • Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
  • 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
  • County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
    • Vesting after 5 years of service
    • Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
  • Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
  • Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
  • Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan.
  • Coming soon-early 2025: Employee Health Center with no or low cost primary and urgent care

  • For more information, visit our benefits page on the Frederick County Government job opportunities webpage
    ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
    • Analyze and assess cases, legal research, pleading preparation, trial preparation, settlement and litigation to include Establish, Modify and Enforce Child Support
    • Secure and enforce judgements; attach assets as warranted
    • Provide legal advice and guidance to the Frederick County Department of Social Services
    • Advise Frederick County Department of Social Services staff of statutory changes and significant case law decisions regarding child support matters
    • Work with all other positions in the Child Support Division to comply with the contractual obligations of the State's Attorney's Office under the Cooperative Reimbursement Agreement with the Frederick County Department of Social Services
    • Perform other duties as assigned
    To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Any single position may not be assigned all duties listed above, nor do the examples cover all duties that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
    QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS
    The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
    Assistant States Attorney I ($80,252 - $128,402):
    • Graduation from an accredited law school
    • Admission to the Bar of the State of Maryland
    • Some work experience in criminal Law, litigation, case analysis, trial preparation and preparation of criminal and/or juvenile court documents
    Assistant States Attorney II ($85,869 - $137,391 ):
    • Graduation from an accredited law school
    • Current Bar Admission in the State of Maryland
    • Minimum 2 years of work experience in criminal Law, litigation, case analysis, trial preparation and preparation of criminal and/or juvenile court documents
    KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
    • Considerable knowledge of legal principles and procedures
    • Ability to effectively evaluate and try a case
    • Ability to effectively obtain information through interview, interrogation and other legal research methods
    • Ability to make quick and well-reasoned case decisions under pressured circumstances
    • Discretion and good judgment in working with sensitive information, with ability to maintain appropriate confidentiality
    • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with; co-workers, attorneys and others in the judicial system; law enforcement offers and agencies, and the general public, including the ability to give knowledgeable and practical advice to individuals who are emotionally distraught
    • Strong and effective spoken and written (English) communication skills, including the ability to maintain clear, accurate case files
    PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN FOR
    • Prosecutorial experience in a State's Attorney's Office
    • Maryland Rule 19 experience, or a comparable student prosecutor experience in another state and/or a judicial clerkship in any jurisdiction
    • Law experience as a practicing attorney in the State of Maryland
    • Competitive trial advocacy or competitive moot court
    • Criminal clinical practice experience as a law student
    • Completion of a law student internship with the Frederick County State's Attorney's Office
    • Experience communicating and working with families in crisis
    • Bilingual skills in Spanish
    PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORKING CONDITIONS:
    • While working in this position, the employee is frequently sitting, lifting up to 20 pounds and making repetitive motions
    • While working in this position, the employee is constantly indoors

    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / EXAMINATION PROCESS
    • This position is subject to random drug testing
    • Available for varied working hours and on-call as needed
    • As a representative of the people of Frederick County, it is imperative that the Assistant State's Attorney maintain competent and professional relations with the public
    • This position will be full-time without a private practice

    KIND OF EXAMINATION (may include):
    1. An evaluation of experience and training
    2. One or more interviews
    3. Pre-employment drug test, to include testing for marijuana
    4. Pre-employment background investigation conducted by the State's Attorney's Office

    This description reflects management's assignment of essential duties; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
    Retirement Plan:
    A defined benefit retirement plan is provided for all regular County employees. Employees are automatically enrolled in either the Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting) or the Non-Uniformed Plan (5 year vesting, effective 07/01/2024) depending upon position classification. The majority of support for the plan is provided by the County; however, employees are required to make a mandatory pre-tax contribution towards their benefit. Retirement benefits are payable at normal, early or delayed retirement. Retirement benefits are also payable upon termination and in the event of death or disability.
    Health Insurance:
    County employees have a choice of two medical insurance plans, an In-Network (HMO) Plan or a High Deductible medical plan with a Health Care Savings Account, to provide coverage for medical and surgical expenses, hospital and emergency care expenses, mental health expenses and prescription drugs. The County and participants share in the cost of the health insurance with the employee having the benefit of pre tax contribution deductions. Medical insurance goes into effect on the first day of active employment.
    Dental Insurance:
    Employees may select coverage from one of three dental plan options, ranging from a PPO plan to a dental HMO plan. Coverage includes preventive care, fillings, crowns, bridges and dentures, and the cost of dental insurance is shared by both the County and the employee. Dental insurance goes into effect on the first day of the month that follows the eligible employee's completion of 30 days of active employment
    NOTE: Employees working 75% or greater of a 35 or 40 hour position are eligible for health & dental insurance.
    Flexible Spending Accounts:
    The Flex Spending plan allows employees to pay health and day care expenses with pre-tax dollars. Employees may set aside part of their salary in a special account that can be used throughout the year to reimburse themselves for out-of-pocket medical expenses. The maximum contribution is $2,700 per year for Health Care Spending and $5,000 for Dependent Care Spending (work-related day care expenses). Examples of expenses that can be reimbursed for Health Care Spending include, but are not limited to: deductibles, co-payments, dental fees, chiropractors' services, and eyeglasses / contact lenses.
    Life Insurance:
    Employees are insured for 2 times their annual salary in case of death plus 2 times their annual salary for accidental death. Employees do not contribute to the premiums for this coverage. A Voluntary Life Insurance Program is offered to regular County employees. The plan allows employees to purchase individually owned term life insurance for themselves, spouses and dependents.
    Savings Plan - Deferred Compensation:
    The County offers a Section 457 Plan. Deferred compensation plans allow participants to save for retirement in either a pre tax or post tax (Roth) investment account. Contributions are invested at the employee's direction into one or more of the variety of investment options offered by the plan. Changes may be made to the contribution levels, investment options, etc. at any time.
    Educational Reimbursement Program:
    County employees who have successfully passed their probationary period may take up to two job-related courses per semester at any accredited educational institution. The benefit also covers the costs of job-related non-credit courses. If the employee receives a grade of at least a C, or successfully passes a non-credit course, the County reimburses the employee 75% of the costs of tuition, fees and books. If an employee doesn't remain employed with Frederick County Government for two years after a class is taken, the benefit needs to be reimbursed to FCG.
    Employee Assistance Program:
    This confidential assessment, referral and counseling service is available at no cost to all employees who may need help with a personal or job-related problem.
    Leave
    Annual Leave - Employees are eligible to use Annual Leave after their 6 month probationary period. Annual Leave accrues as follows: Years of service days per year
    0 - 2 years 11 days
    2 - 10 years 17 days
    10 + years 24 days
    Sick Leave - Employees will earn sick leave at a rate of 15 days per calendar year.
    Sick Leave may also be used for illness of an employee's child, dependent, spouse, parent or parent-in-law. There is no limit on the amount of sick leave accumulated. Unused Sick Leave may be used for additional credit in the pension plan at the time of retirement.
    NOTE: Regular benefited part-time employees earn annual and sick leave on a pro-rated basis based on their actual number of hours worked biweekly up to their assigned number of regularly scheduled work hours.
    Other available types of leave include, but are not limited to, Family Medical Leave, Bereavement, Jury, Military.
    Holidays:
    The County observes 10 holidays every year and 11 are observed on years of General Elections.
    For additional information on Frederick County Governments benefit package, please visit the Division of Human Resources website at
    All hires before January 1, 2012, will follow the all benefit and leave rules as described in the Personnel Rules amended October 3, 2013.
    01
    Your application, which includes any associated supplemental questions, must be complete at the time of submission and must clearly articulate the required work experience relevant to the position for which you are applying. The experience you indicate in your responses to the supplemental questions must also be described, in detail, on the Work History section of this application. Your application may be considered incomplete if vague descriptions of experience are included or if you cite experience in your supplemental question response that is not included on the Work History section of this application. When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience based on the information submitted, or if you state "see resume" as your response, you will not be considered further.
    • I have read and acknowledge the above instructions.

    02
    Have you graduated from an accredited law school?
    • Yes
    • No
    • I am currently attending Law School and will graduate within one year

    03
    Have you obtained admission to the Bar of the State of Maryland?
    • Yes
    • No
    • My application has been submitted and my acceptance to the MD Bar is currently pending

    04
    How many years of experience in criminal Law, litigation, case analysis, trial preparation and preparation of criminal and/or juvenile court documents do you have?
    • I do not have this experience
    • less than 1 year of work experience
    • 1 year of work expeirence
    • 2 or more years of work experience

    05
    Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not be granted the requirement.
    06
    Do you have law experience as a practicing family law attorney in the State of Maryland?
    • Yes
    • No

    07
    Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not receive the preference credit.
    08
    Do you have prosecutorial experience in a State's Attorney's Office?
    • Yes
    • No

    09
    Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not receive the preference credit.
    10
    Do you have Maryland Rule 19 experience or a comparable student prosecutor experience in another state and/or a judicial clerkship in any jurisdiction?
    • Yes
    • No

    11
    Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not receive the preference credit.
    12
    Do you have law experience as a practicing attorney in the State of Maryland?
    • Yes
    • No

    13
    Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not receive the preference credit.
    14
    Do you have competitive trial advocacy or moot court experience?
    • Yes
    • No

    15
    Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not receive the preference credit.
    16
    Do you have criminal clinical practice as a law student?
    • Yes
    • No

    17
    Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not receive the preference credit.
    18
    Have you completed a law student internship with the Frederick County State's Attorney's Office?
    • Yes
    • No

    19
    Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not receive the preference credit.
    20
    Do you have experience communicating and working with families in crisis?
    • Yes
    • No

    21
    Please provide details regarding that work history in the text area below. The work history details provided should include the employer or organization name, dates of employment/service and the duties you performed.NOTE: When considering work history, 1 year of employment = 2,080 hours. If Human Resources staff is unable to confirm your related work experience, based on the information submitted, you will not receive the preference credit.
    22
    Do you have fluency (written and verbal) in the Spanish language?
    • Yes
    • No

    Required Question
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