Domestic Relations Officer

Job Summary

Are you looking for a rewarding career in the court system where you can make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals and families? Do you enjoy working in a professional environment that values public service, accountability, and teamwork? If so, we encourage you to apply.

We are seeking a Professional Court Officer to manage an assigned caseload of child support and spousal support/Alimony Pendente Lite (APL) cases. Responsibilities include conducting support conferences for the establishment, modification, and enforcement of support orders, as well as performing related duties as needed to support office operations.

This position offers an excellent opportunity to build your career while contributing to the fair and effective administration of justice. If you are motivated, detail-oriented, and committed to serving the public, we would like to hear from you.

About Us

Franklin County is a great place to live and work! Nestled between the Blue Ridge and Tuscarora mountains in South Central Pennsylvania but not far from DC, Baltimore and the beaches of the mid-Atlantic, Franklin County is one of the fastest growing counties in the Commonwealth. We want the best people working to serve the 155,000 residents that call this beautiful area "home."

Requirements

EDUCATION/TRAINING

Bachelors Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Administration of Justice or related field, plus computer and data processing skills are required.

WORK EXPERIENCE

Six (6) to twelve (12) months experience in child support, administration of justice, public administration or related human service field.

Job Description FRANKLIN COUNTY

DOMESTIC RELATIONS OFFICER 01/03/2012

Position Description Non-Exempt

OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF JOB

Professional Court Officer position responsible for case management of an assigned caseload of child support and spousal support/APL cases. Major areas of assignment include, but are not limited to, support conferences for establishment and enforcement of support orders or as office needs require.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS OF JOB

1. Communicates with the Court, co-workers, clients, etc. in a courteous and professional manner.

2. Communicates verbally and in writing in a clear, businesslike and professional manner.

3. Maintains accurate and organized records and perform other related duties and projects, as may be assigned.

4. Maintains strict confidentiality of support case information and PACSES case data, as required by laws, regulations and policies.

5. Learn and be able to manage assigned support caseload so as to administer the assigned cases correctly and effectively during the lifetime of the case.

6. Answers case inquiries from the Court, clients, attorneys, other agencies and the public; these inquires may be by telephone, mail, computer messages or in person.

7. Performs additional work that can be learned within a reasonable time through on the job training. Additional work will commence after detailed instruction is provided to the staff of the nature of their duty and an explanation of the prescribed and established procedures of the job duty.

8. Applies relevant case law, support guidelines, statutes, rules, procedures or policies of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Domestic Relations to assigned cases.

9. Effectively conducts conferences with clients and attorneys for the purpose of:

• Establishing paternity and a financial support order;

• Applying the statewide child support automation system known as PACSES; utilizes other related automation systems, such as PIM, as necessary.

• Modifying a financial or non-financial support order; and/or

• Enforcing financial and non-financial support obligations pursuant court order.

10. Conducts case settlement negotiations and mediation with clients and attorneys for the purpose of establishment and enforcement of support orders.

11. Conducts in-court officer duties assigned which include, but are not limited to, making recommendations to the Court, advising the Court on the case list status, answering case-related or procedural inquiries of the Court, testifying in Court, as needed, and writing down the Court’s order when issued, so that the department may effectively administer the support case.

12. Properly enforces support orders entered by the Court which involve correctly applying all appropriate automated and non- automated enforcement measures to a given support case.

13. Locates and contacts defendants and arranges voluntary appearances of defendants before the Court.

14. Prepares case for conference/court, negotiates with clients regarding resolution of delinquent support order accounts, appears in Court, and performs related case follow-up and enforcement-related procedures, as appropriate or directed.

15. Performs “Officer of the Day” duties, as assigned, which involve meeting with and properly handling the case inquires of unscheduled “walk in” clients.

OTHER DUTIES OF JOB

1. Attends meetings, training, seminars as required.

2. Performs other job-related duties as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Receives instruction and supervision from Director or Supervisor in regard to daily work duties.

SUPERVISION GIVEN

None.

WORKING CONDITIONS

1. Works indoors in adequate workspace, lighting and temperatures, but with fluctuations in ventilation.

2. Works with average indoor exposure to noise, disruptions and stress.

3. Below normal indoor exposure to dust/dirt.

4. Works daily with potentially hostile or aggressive clients.

PHYSICAL/MENTAL CONDITIONS

1. Must possess ability to record, convey and present information, explain procedures and follow instructions.

2. Must be able to sit, stand and walk intermittently for long periods throughout the workday, with occasional periods of twisting, bending, stooping, pushing, pulling and reaching as necessary to carry out essential job duties.

3. Dexterity requirements range from simple to coordinated movements of fingers/hands; feet/legs; torso as necessary to carry out essential job duties.

4. Must be able to cope with the physical/mental stress of the position.

5. Must be able to pay close attention to details and concentrate on work.

QUALIFICATIONS

A. EDUCATION/TRAINING

Bachelors Degree in Psychology, Sociology, Administration of Justice or related field, plus computer and data processing skills are required.

B. WORK EXPERIENCE

Six (6) to twelve (12) months experience in child support, administration of justice, public administration or related human service field

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

1. Must be able to speak and understand the English language in an understandable manner in order to carry out essential functions of the position.

2. Must possess good communication and interpersonal skills, including, but not limited to, the ability to communicate with clients who may have difficulty speaking or understanding English or who may be illiterate.

3. Must possess initiative and problem-solving skills.

4. Must maintain confidentiality in regard to client information and records.

5. Must possess the technical knowledge of operating personal computers and other office equipment with accuracy and reasonable speed as needed to perform the duties of a Domestic Relations Officer.

6. Must possess knowledge of Domestic Relations policies and ability to apply said policies in the performance of essential job duties of a Domestic Relations Officer.

7. Must be able to correctly understand, interpret and verify both verbal and written evidence of a client’s income, including, but not limited to, questioning a client regarding his/her income, examination of pay stubs, earnings reports from employers, income tax returns, etc.

8. Must possess the ability to establish and maintain accurate record keeping.

9. Must possess the ability to perform math calculations accurately and complete required reports.

10. Must possess knowledge of and ability to conduct support conferences and prepare written documents, ensuring all applicable procedures and policies are adhered to.

11. Must possess the ability to prepare clear professional letters, reports, administrative orders, etc.

Contact Details

We offer an excellent benefit package including medical, dental, vision, prescription, life insurance, paid time off, tuition reimbursement and a retirement plan! Pay increase upon successful completion of probationary period and academy.

To apply for this position, please complete our online application. Franklin County is an equal opportunity employer.

If you need assistance completing the online application, please contact Human Resources at 717-261-3150.

Franklin County is an Equal Opportunity Employer and provide advancement opportunities to everyone. Our employment practices are not influenced or affected by race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran's status, or any other categories protected by law.