Salary: $31.19-$38.07 hourly / $5,424-$6,622 monthly / Range:
6230
DEFINITION: Under general supervision, performs a variety of
civil litigation activities in the areas of child support and
paternity; and performs related duties as required.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS: Child Support (CS) Attorney is a
flexibly staffed series. Incumbents are responsible for overseeing
civil litigation aspects of child support cases in the Department of
Child Support Services. CS Attorneys are distinguished, in part,
from Deputy District Attorneys by the latter’s responsibility for
overseeing criminal litigation aspects of child support cases.
Child Support Attorney I is the entry-level class in this
professional series. Incumbents receive orientation to and training
in paternity and child support issues and are expected to progress,
in a reasonable time, in their experience and competency level so
that they are qualified to be Child Support Attorneys II.
EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:
1. Advises department staff, custodial and non-custodial parents,
and witnesses regarding legal issues involved in prospective civil
paternity and/or support actions.
2. Interprets and applies laws; court decisions; local, state, and
federal regulations; and other legal authorities for use in the
preparation of child support cases.
3. Prepares legal pleadings, including complaints, answers,
demurrers, discovery, motions, orders, and judgments required for
hearings, trials, and varied legal proceedings; drafts and prepares
related reports and correspondence; and maintains accurate case
records.
4. Litigates a variety of paternity and support cases in civil court
trials and at family law and motion hearings.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS: Active membership in the State Bar of
California.
Additional Requirements: Possession of a valid California Class C
Driver’s License is required for all levels upon hire.
Knowledge of: principles of civil and criminal law with an emphasis
on family law; trial and court procedures; legal research methods;
rules of evidence; standard legal office practices and procedures;
ethical and professional rules of conduct; and negotiating
techniques.
Ability to: learn civil and criminal codes related to California
family law; perform legal research; analyze and apply legal
principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to legal problems;
present statements of law, facts, and arguments clearly, logically,
and forcefully, in both written and oral format; negotiate
settlements; maintain confidentiality and objectivity; manage an
assigned caseload; operate personal computers and use computer
applications used by the department; and establish and maintain
effective working relationships with those contacted in the course
of work.
