Domestic Relations Hearing Officer

This Domestic Relations Hearing Officer is responsible for conducting conferences with clients and attorneys for the purpose of establishing paternity and establishing child and spousal support orders in accordance with Pennsylvania law and state and local rules of civil procedure.

• Negotiate support for children and/or spouse, alimony pendente lite, by calculating support obligations using PA State guidelines (in spousal support cases if entitlement is challenged, matter is scheduled for master hearing); alimony pendente lite orders are entered by agreement only.

• Review cases (complete conference and reports required, and review important happenings during the conference

• Establish paternity by scheduling DNA testing for defendant, father or mother and child or the defendant can acknowledge paternity of the child and sign the appropriate documentation.

• Enter Temp orders, and follow up with a 10-day notice.

• Schedule Masters Hearings when requested.

• Finalize and prepare all orders.

• Address and docket all provisions of the order accurately and completely.

• Enter interim orders as needed. 

• Handle follow-up on specific cases where stipulation and orders are to be received from attorneys. 

• Issue bench warrants when defendants have been served for conference and fail to appear.

• Complete reports that contain statistics of what was discussed and scheduled. 

• Maintain, produce and distribute reports and records, as required.

• Perform other duties, tasks and special projects, as required.

Qualifications / Requirements:

·         Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

·         Two years of job-related experience.

·         Excellent interpersonal skills.

·         Strong professional ethics.

·         Knowledge and ability to calculate incomes.

·         Strong verbal and written communication skills.

·         Accurate and detail oriented.

·         Ability to work independently and proceed with objectives. 

·         Strong organizational and time management skills.

·         Ability to work as part of a team.

·         Ability to exercise sound judgement and coordinate resolutions to critical situations, under all conditions.

·         Ability to maintain confidential information and handle confidential matters.

·         Basic skills to use a personal computer and various software packages.

Preferred Skills, Knowledge & Experience:

·         Bachelor's degree in Social Science or related field.

·         Strong negotiating skills.

·         Training and skill with conflict management.

·         Basic accounting knowledge and skill.

·         Ability to follow office protocol.

·         Customer service experience.

·         Able to use common sense understanding to carry out instructions.               

·         Ability to handle and resolve recurring problems.

·         Ability to establish priorities (remain focused on daily operations).

·         Able to carry tasks to completion.

·         Current working knowledge of Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.

·         Current working knowledge of Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) & Inter-County Family Support Act (IFSA) laws.

·         Current working knowledge of Pennsylvania Child Support Guidelines.

·         General knowledge and understanding of County of Chester policies and procedures.

Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and any other assessments or evaluations will be conducted after an offer of employment is given per County policy.

Computer Skills:

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have:

• Basic Word skills

• Basic OutLook skills (Email and Calendar)

• Skill and knowledge with PACSES software

• Basic skill and knowledge with court management system

• Working knowledge with DPW computer terminal

• Basic knowledge and skill with State Email system

• Basic skill and knowledge with Jetforms software