County of Alameda

Supervising Child Support Attorney (#3160)

Bargaining Unit: Unrep - General Mgmt (U15)
$109.79-$144.57 Hourly / $8,783.20-$11,565.60 BiWeekly /
$19,030.27-$25,058.80 Monthly / $228,363.20-$300,705.60 Yearly


DESCRIPTION
Under direction, plans, organizes, directs, and supervises the legal activities and personnel performing professional legal work in the Department of Child Support Services involving civil actions to establish, modify, and enforce child support obligations and/or provides legal representation for the most complex and sensitive cases requiring the highest level of expertise; develops and implements objectives, goals, policies and procedures; serves as an expert in civil litigation; and performs related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is a single position class located in the Department of Child Support Services (DCSS).  This class is distinguished from the lower level class of Child Support Attorney IV in that the former is the highest-level attorney classification in the department, is a member of executive management, and is primarily responsible for the management, and supervision of the legal division comprised of attorneys and support staff.   

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES
NOTE:  The following are the duties performed by employees in this classification.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.

1.  Plans, directs, coordinates and evaluates the work of subordinate attorneys and assigned support staff.

2.  Participates in the training and development of new employees; establishes functional activities and scope of control; evaluates staff performance; develops, monitors and facilitates completion of goals and objectives for subordinate staff; confers with the Director on personnel and policy related matters.

3.  Reviews and participates in the selection, assignment and training of subordinate personnel.

4.  Plans, organizes and evaluates the legal activities of the department to ensure service needs are met in the courts.

5.  Prepares and presents evidence and arguments at hearing and trial in cases having complex legal and/or factual issues, serious consequences of error, or a high degree of public interest.

6.  Serves as an expert in civil litigation for the department; advises department staff on questions of law and procedure in particular cases.

7.  Formulates and implements policies, procedures and controls.

8.  Reviews and prepares reports and correspondence.

9.  Represents the department with community groups, customers, federal, state, and county agencies to resolve problems, share information or to facilitate integrated collaborative services in order to meet organizational goals and objectives.  Address community groups and conducts training sessions as required.

10.  Performs special legal studies or research on child support law and child support issues; prepares reports as assigned by the Director and advises executive management of possible impacts to the program.

11.  Participates in departmental strategic planning to determine the scope and nature of child support services.

12.  Analyzes and interprets existing and proposed federal and state legislation, regulations, State Department of Child Support Services policies, procedures, and other directives to determine their legal impact on department operations and advises the Director.

13.  Provides legal advice to the Director or Deputy Director on all legal matters pertaining to the provision of child support services.

14.  Provides responsive, high quality service to county employees, representatives of outside agencies and members of the public by providing accurate complete and up-to-date information, in a courteous, efficient and timely manner.

15.  May serve as the attorney of record on behalf of the department.

16.  May be required to make court appearances on a regular assigned caseload.


MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Experience:

The equivalent of four years of full time experience as an attorney, preferably in the area of child support enforcement within a governmental child support agency.  

License:  

Current active membership and good standing with the State Bar of California.

Special Requirement:

A thorough pre-employment background investigation, including fingerprinting will be conducted for all candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of employment to ensure suitability for Child Support related work.  A felony conviction may be disqualifying.

Ability and willingness to travel to locations outside of the assigned office to perform necessary legal services or to participate in child support related activities.

NOTE:  The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
NOTE:  The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are relate to duties listed under the "Example of Duties" section of this specification.

Knowledge of:
  • Detailed provisions of the law, regulations, codes and ordinances related to child support enforcement and programs. 
  • Developing and implementing policies and procedures.
  • Principles of staff supervision and training.
  • Trial and courtroom procedures and practices. 
  • Standard legal office practices and procedures.
  • Ethical and professional standards of conduct.
  • Current technology and trends in the professions.
  • Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)
Ability to:
  • Plan, organize, direct, coordinate and evaluate the work of subordinates, including Child Support Attorney staff.
  • Manage multiple priorities and maintain flexibility.
  • Train newly assigned attorney and other support staff.
  • Independently analyze workflow, employee performance, and child support legal and investigative issues, make recommendations and take effective action to improve divisional and/or program effectiveness.
  • Align divisional activities with program goals and objectives. 
  • Prepare and present statement of fact, law and argument clearly and logically, orally and in writing.
  • Research, analyze, and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to complex child support law and child support issues. 
  • Understand, accept differences and work effectively with diverse groups.
  • Prepare and maintain clear, concise, and comprehensive records, reports and correspondence.
  • Exercise appropriate judgement in responding to questions releasing information; analyzing and projecting consequences of decision and/or recommendations.
  • Provide prompt, efficient and responsive service in a fast-paced environment.
  • Communicate effectively and exercise a high degree of professionalism and interpersonal sensitivity in interactions with others.
  • Establish and maintain effective working relationships.
  • Effectively use a variety of proprietary and non-proprietary computer applications including Windows, MS Office and others related to the child support programs.

CLASS SPEC HISTORY
BG:pf 4/11/02
Newspec: 3160.doc
CSC Date: 4/24/02
SA:pf Revised 4/13/05
CSC Date: 6/8/2005
SG:cs Revised 8/6/10
CSC Date: 9/8/10
LC:ah  Revised 12/03/18
CSC Date: 12/19/18

BENEFITS

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

  • Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
  • Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
  • Vision or Vision Reimbursement
  • Share the Savings
  • Basic Life Insurance 
  • Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees)
  • Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance 
  • County Allowance Credit
  • Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
  • Short-Term Disability Insurance
  • Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
  • Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

  • Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
  • Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

  • 12 paid holidays
  • Floating Holidays
  • Vacation and sick leave accrual
  • Vacation purchase program
  • Management Paid Leave**
  • Catastrophic Sick Leave
  • Group Auto/Home Insurance
  • Pet Insurance
  • Commuter Benefits Program
  • Guaranteed Ride Home
  • Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
  • Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
  • Child Care Resources
  • 1st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.

** Non-exempt management employees are entitled to up to three days of management paid leave. Exempt management employees are entitled to up to seven days of management paid leave.




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