The Dodge County Child Support Agency is seeking a part-time (70%) Child Support Attorney who wants to work in a supportive, team-oriented, forward-thinking courthouse setting located in Juneau, WI. This position works 56 hours per bi-weekly pay period, typically working 3 days one week and 4 days the next.
The Child Support Attorney appears in court on behalf of the State of Wisconsin for paternity cases, establishment/review cases, contempt hearings, pro-se motion hearings and warrant hearings. The Child Support Attorney provides guidance to the Child Support Agency staff as it relates to legal documents and procedures while following State Statues and Federal guidelines.
The Dodge County Child Support Agency has on average a caseload 3,900 cases. The Agency consists of a Director, 2 Attorneys, 1 Lead Child Support Specialist, 5 Child Support Specialists, 1 Financial Specialist and 2 Child Support Assistants. In Dodge County, the Attorneys work in the Child Support Agency exclusively not any other department within the County.
The Dodge County Child Support Agency is located in Juneau, which is a 57 minute drive to the State Capitol in Madison, a 66 minute drive to downtown Milwaukee and a 42 minute drive to Fond du Lac. Physical office facilities are some of the best in the State. Individual Attorney offices are spacious and offer ample natural light. The Courthouse is very secure with full-time experienced security staff and a single point weapon’s screened entrance. The Child Support Agency is a secondary secure facility in the Courthouse but on a separate level from the court floor. All staff are provided free secure parking and a secure staff entrance.
Employment with Dodge County has many benefits including:
• Paid Time Off (PTO) – available for use after 30 days of employment
• Flexible work schedule opportunities
• Health/Dental Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) – with employer contributions
• Life insurance
• Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS)
The greater Dodge County area offers great schools, plentiful outdoor recreation options, all necessary services and safe family-oriented communities.
The ideal applicant is preferred to have experience in a law setting with some experience in family law, guardianships and/or civil law.
The applicant should have significant interest in these case types. These criteria are preferred qualifications; all interested applicants are encouraged to apply even if not meeting the specific preferences.
The starting wage for this position is $40.78 to $44.94 per hour depending on experience.
Applications will be accepted until a qualified candidate has been selected.
POSITION SUMMARY
This position is responsible for representing and advising the Child Support Department on legal matters; responds to legal inquiries, rendering legal assistance and opinions; litigating cases; drafting policies, procedures, ordinances, contracts and legal documents; maintaining records, files, and preparing reports.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following duties are typical for this position. However, they are not to be construed as exclusive or all–inclusive. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each duty satisfactorily. Other duties may also be required or assigned.
1. Advises and represents the Child Support Department in child support and paternity cases.
2. Appears in Court on behalf of the State of Wisconsin for establishment/revision hearings, pro-se motion hearings, contempt hearings, paternity establishment hearings, and warrant hearings.
3. Prepares legal documents in cases involving establishment, revision, and enforcement.
4. Acts to enforce, establish, and revise support orders in divorce, paternity, action to compel, foster care, and interstate cases.
5. Provides guidance to the child support staff as it relates to legal procedures in the establishment and enforcement of child support-related matters in relationship to Federal regulations and State statutes.
6. Consults and collaborates with the Director concerning changes in Federal regulations and State statutes affecting child support policies and their interpretations and implications for the Agency.
7. Reviews legal documents prepared by support staff to ensure accuracy and completeness.
8. Prepares referral documents to the District Attorney’s office to prosecute criminal non-support cases and provides support during criminal prosecutions.
9. Provides information to custodial/non-custodial parents on procedures concerning establishment and enforcement of child support orders.
10. Consults with other legal counsels, out of state child support agencies, and private attorneys regarding child support issues.
11. Maintains current knowledge of the law by continual review and research of evolving case law and changes in State statutes, federal regulations and policies as it relates to child support matters.
12. Advises staff engaged in establishing, revising, and enforcing support orders, and interviewing/providing information to parents.
13. Other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Juris Doctorate degree and licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin.
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
• Must successfully pass IRS and criminal background check.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Experience in family law, guardianships and/or civil law preferred.
• Hearing or trial experience preferred.
• Two (2) years’ work experience in a law setting.
Minimum Requirements:
• Knowledge of law/legal principles related to the establishment of paternity and the enforcement, establishment and revision of child support in divorce, paternity, action to compel, foster care, and interstate cases.
• Knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of methods, materials, practices, and references utilized in legal research.
• Ability to analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence, testimony and law and to present such material in clear and logical form.
• Ability to present and competently argue cases in court.
• Knowledge, skill, and ability to understand and use legal terminology, legal format, and processes.
• Knowledge of Wisconsin Statutes and ongoing statutory changes, procedural changes, and form changes.
• Skill to take notes and accurately incorporate essential details in preparing legal documents.
• Ability and skill to prepare Court documents in a timely and accurate manner.
• Knowledge and ability to enter and/or retrieve data in the State of Wisconsin Kids Information Data System (KIDS), and other systems, such as, but not limited to, CARES/CWW, DOT, CCAP, CCAP e-Filing, DIHLR, WiKIDS, and various state department policy and procedures.
• Ability to obtain information and guidelines from the Bureau of Child Support Resource page.
• Ability and skill to prepare Court documents in a timely and accurate manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
• Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits requiring minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Knowledge of current office practices and procedures and knowledge of the operation of standard office equipment and software.
• Knowledge of computer software including word processing, spreadsheet and database applications consistent for this position.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively in English in both written and verbal form.
• Skill in researching and understanding complex written materials.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
• Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.
• Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.
• Ability to maintain professionalism at all times.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provisions of open records laws and other applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations.
• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position and respond after hours as needed.
PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical and work environment characteristics described in this description are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions or as otherwise required by law. Employees needing reasonable accommodation should discuss the request with the employee’s supervisor or Human Resources.
• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to finger, handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy office setting.
• May require dealing with persons who are hostile or aggressive, posing threatening conditions.
HOW TO APPLY
Dodge County accepts online applications only.
For position information and to apply, please visit:
https://tinyurl.com/jobsindodge
**Please note, if you do not have access to a computer you may stop in at the Dodge County Human Resources Department or at Clearview to use a public computer or visit any local library.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact Dodge County HR Dept. at 920-386-3690. Thank you for your interest.
