Self Help Attorney/Family Law Facilitator/ CARE Act
Salary: $96,012.80 - $116,750.40 Annually
CLASSIFICATION DESCRIPTION
DEFINITION: Under general administrative direction, this professional level position provides legal assistance and legal information to self-represented litigants in a variety of legal matters. This position provides services that include the development, planning, implementation, and administration of a family law program providing legal service to litigants not represented by counsel.
EMPLOYMENT AT-WILL: The Self Help Attorney/Family Law Facilitator/CARE Act classification is established as an “at-will” position and, as such, the incumbent serves at the direction of the Managing Self Help Center Attorney. The Court Executive Officer has the right to terminate the employment of any incumbent in the position of Self-Help Attorney/Family Law Facilitator/CARE Act at any time, with or without advance notice or cause.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: This is an Attorney class in the Self-Help and Family Law Facilitator Services. Attorneys in this class are responsible for providing procedural and legal assistance to self-represented litigants in a variety of complex legal matters.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.
Supervise, train, and evaluate the performance of assigned staff including paralegals, interns, and volunteers assigned to the Self-Help Center as directed. Participate in selection, professional development, and discipline of staff. Develop goals and objectives for the work unit consistent with court policies. Develop standards against which to evaluate performance and conduct periodic discussions about progress on performance and development plans. Coordinate workflow of staff to maximize productivity and efficiency.
Assist the Court with research, providing information and direction to litigants, and assisting the Court in being responsive to litigants’ needs to assure meaningful access to the Court.
Develop, plan, implement, and administer a Family Law Facilitator Program pursuant to Family Code Section 1000 et seq and administer programs designed to provide support services to litigants not represented by counsel in various areas of family and civil law.
Provide educational materials to parents concerning the process of authenticating parentage and establishing, modifying, and enforcing child and spousal support in the courts.
Provide information to members of the public, agencies, and staff regarding the CARE Act eligibility, process and procedures.
Oversee and manage court form packets; distributes necessary court forms and voluntary declarations of paternity; provides assistance in completing the forms and orders after hearing.
Assist in the daily operation of the office, including maintaining the records of the court, monthly statistical reports, and staff coverage.
May respond to correspondence from incarcerated and out of area litigants as directed.
Plan and coordinate special community outreach events or public education programs to promote access to justice and the role of the courts in our community.
Maintain current knowledge and monitor changes to law and recommend changes in policy, rules, and procedures required for compliance; execute modifications after approval.
Travel off-site using personal vehicle or arranged transportation to various locations in the County on a regular basis while conducting investigations; some out-of-state travel may be necessary in rare occasions.
Attend and conduct trainings for staff and volunteers as needed to meet grant requirements and ensure high levels of competence and professionalism.
Other duties as assigned.
Supervisory Duties:
Supervises exempt and non-exempt staff; make hire, termination, promotion and merit recommendations as directed.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED Education:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a law degree.
Experience:
Three (3) years of work experience practicing family law.
License, Certification and/or Special Requirements:
A valid class C California driver’s license may be required. The requirement will be reviewed on a position basis in accordance with ADA regulations.
Current active membership and good standing with the State Bar of California.
The incumbent is prohibited from practicing law outside of his/her duties while employed with the Court.
Necessary Employment Standards Knowledge of:
Family Law, including mediation techniques and approaches, and/or provisions of domestic violence, and probate, including legal processes and rules of court
The child support establishment and enforcement process under Title IV-D of the federal Social Security Act; child support law and the operation of the uniform state child support guideline
Community Assistance, Recovery & Empowerment (CARE) Act
Litigant assistance programs, including legal aid and legal assistance services
Family Law and other legal service software programs
Legal terms, procedures, forms and documents
Principles and practices of sound business and legal communication
Modern office methods and technology including the use of a personal computer and related software such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, case management systems and scheduling programs
English Language Arts: correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation
Organizational and administrative methods and procedures of the Court is desired
Basic accounting and auditing practices
Skill/Ability to:
Analyze problems and legal issues and identify solutions
Apply legal principles to case facts and make sound decisions
Understand legal terminology, documents and procedures related to case evaluation and processing; laws, legal/judicial procedure and local rules
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all levels of Court staff, judicial partners, elective and appointive bodies and members of the general public; work effectively with and assist individuals of various ages and diverse cultural backgrounds; deal tactfully and courteously with all
Work independently and prioritize work with excellent organization skills
Work well under pressure, meeting multiple and sometimes conflicting deadlines. Must be available to work weekends and overtime as directed
Communicate effectively, both written and oral, in person, over the telephone and in writing with public, attorneys,vendors, co-workers, supervisors, managers, and judicial officers
Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or other regulations
Train, oversee and evaluate the performance of interns
Follow Court Rules and Regulations/Personnel Policies, Safety Procedures, Court Code of Ethics and Court Harassment Prevention Policy.
Demonstrate cooperative behavior with co-workers and management.
Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor as defined in Court Code of Ethics.
Successfully complete fingerprinting and Criminal Record Background Check
ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL & MENTAL DEMANDS
Performance Aptitudes Data Utilization: Requires the ability to review, classify, categorize, prioritize, and/or analyze data. Includes exercising discretion in determining data classification, and in referencing such analysis to established standards for the purpose of recognizing actual or probable interactive effects and relationships. Human Interaction: Requires the ability to apply principles of persuasion and/or influence over others in coordinating activities of a project, program, or designated area of responsibility. Equipment, Machinery, Tools, and Materials Utilization: Requires the ability to operate, maneuver, and/or control the actions of equipment, machinery, tools, and/or materials used in performing essential functions. Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize a wide variety of reference, descriptive, and/or advisory data, and information. Mathematical Aptitude: Requires the ability to perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division; the ability to calculate decimals and percentages; the ability to utilize principles of fractions; and the ability to interpret graphs. Functional Reasoning: Requires the ability to apply principles of influence systems, such as motivation, incentive, and leadership, and to exercise independent judgment to apply facts and principles for developing approaches and techniques to resolve problems. Situational Reasoning: Requires the ability to exercise judgment, decisiveness, and creativity in situations involving the evaluation of information against sensory, judgmental, or subjective criteria, as opposed to that which is clearly measurable or verifiable. Physical Ability:
Strength, dexterity, coordination, and vision to use a keyboard, computer monitor, and other office equipment on a daily basis and for extended periods of time
Fine finger manipulations, dexterity, and coordination to handle files and single pieces of paper
Forceful and repetitive gripping, grasping, and pinching
Occasional lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 20 lbs.
Frequent reaching for items on shelves, above, at, and below desk/shoulder level
Exert up to 20 lbs. of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 lbs. of force frequently, and/or negligible amount of force constantly to move, torque, twist, push, and pull objects
Frequently sit for extended periods; frequently stand for extended periods; and frequently walk, move, bend, stoop, lift, and stretch
Able to move to different locations such as, but not limited to: courtrooms, clerk’s office, various departments, other court facilities, and desk assignments based on the operational needs of the Court
Able to traverse inside and outside over uneven ground and pavement
Perform repetitive writing, typing, copying
Employees are regularly required to verbally communicate both in person and by telephone
Corrected hearing and vision to normal range
Sensory Requirements: Some tasks require the ability to perceive and discriminate colors or shades of colors, sounds, and visual cues or signals. Some tasks require the ability to communicate orally. Environmental Factors: Essential functions are regularly performed without exposure to adverse environmental conditions.
The Superior Court of California, Merced County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Superior Court of California, Merced County will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.
BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS: Convictions, depending on the type, number and date, may be disqualifying. Court employees shall be subject to a modified background investigation and fingerprinting. False statements or omission of facts regarding background or employment history may result in disqualification or dismissal.
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