Attorney I, II and III

CHILD SUPPORT SERVICES (CSS)
Child Support Services (CSS) is an award-winning, forward-thinking agency of over 350 professionals, dedicated to helping parents financially support their children. The core mission is to facilitate the financial support of children by engaging parents and providing professional child support services. Under the direction of the Department Director, CSS delivers human services to the community based on a balanced approach emphasizing Customers, Staff, Business Efficiencies, and Performance. CSS also works in close partnership with the Orange County Superior Court, California Department of Child Support Services, and other local child support agencies throughout California.

Click here for more information of Child Support Services.
Click here for more information on the County of Orange.

THE OPPORTUNITY
This is an excellent opportunity for you to enhance your career with the County of Orange Department of Child Support Services. Child Support Services is looking for attorneys who are committed to serving the community.

The Child Support Services Attorney Team consists of dedicated attorneys whose primary responsibilities include establishing, modifying, and enforcing child support orders. Attorneys are assigned to court and in-house operations depending on departmental needs. They work collaboratively with staff throughout the Department, the parents we serve through the program, and our court partners.

The Attorney's goal is to work with parents to resolve matters prior to court and represent the County in matters at court. The attorney's role is to provide support to all activities of the Department including, but not limited to, providing legal analyses on policies and making recommendations. Additionally, attorneys are required to meet with parents, review motions to establish, modify and enforce reasonable child support orders, prepare responses, appear in court in a fast-paced and high-volume environment, draft and review stipulations and provide case follow-up.

DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS

The ideal candidate will have:

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with expertise in drafting legal documents
• Knowledge of legal principles, evidence rules, and court proceedings
• Proficiency in legal research methods and civil legal processes
• Competence in preparing and presenting cases in court, drafting legal documents, and analyzing legal problems
• Understanding of legal procedures and court systems
• Flexibility and adaptability to change
• Strategic thinking abilities
• Competence in preparing legal documents like pleadings, briefs, and opinions
• Capability to present information clearly to both legal and non-legal audiences
• Commitment to community service and direct engagement with parents
• Drive for personal and professional development, as well as for fostering growth in others
• Leadership and project management capabilities to enhance the child support program
• Vision for contributing to organizational success as an Attorney
  

ABILITY TO

• Skillfully prepare, present, and manage legal cases in court proceedings
• Draft a variety of legal documents such as pleadings, briefs, depositions, and reports with precision and attention to detail
• Conduct legal research effectively and collaborate with colleagues across different units and departments
• Thoroughly analyze complex legal problems and apply appropriate legal principles and practices
• Articulately present factual information, legal arguments, and statements in both written and oral formats, ensuring clarity and logical coherence
• Expertly draft ordinances and regulations, conducting thorough legal research to support decision-making processes
• Work harmoniously and collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders, fostering a productive and supportive working environment

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Required Experience/Education:
License Required for All Three Levels: Active membership in the State Bar of California.

Click here to view the Minimum Qualifications for Attorney I classification.
Click here to view the Minimum Qualifications for Attorney II classification.
Click here to view the Minimum Qualifications for Attorney III classification.

Special Requirements
Selected candidates must pass a background investigation to the satisfaction of the Department of Child Support Services.

PHYSICAL, MENTAL, ENVIRONMENTAL and WORKING CONDITIONS

Physical and Mental Requirements
Must be capable of effectively exchanging information and adequately communicating in person, through telecommunication, and in writing; body mobility to move from one work area to another; ability to use a computer terminal; able to access standard office and courtroom equipment; body strength sufficient to lift and carry files. Possess the ability to independently reason logically to reach conclusions and make recommendations; possess the ability to remain calm and appropriately focused on rapidly changing situations involving interpersonal conflict and with complex issues; possess the ability to interact with the public in emotional and occasionally hostile situations.

Environmental and Working Conditions
Will be required to interact with persons of diverse backgrounds and educational levels including in-custody defendants, victims, witnesses, persons having interest in criminal cases and varying levels of other government organizations; interact with the public in emotional and occasionally hostile situations; work with changing deadlines and competing priorities.

RECRUITMENT PROCESS
Human Resource Services (HRS) screens all application materials for minimum and desirable qualifications. After screening, qualified applicants will be referred to the next step in the recruitment process. All applicants will be notified via email of their status in the process.

Application Appraisal Panel (AAP) | Application Review (Weighted 100%)
An Appraisal Panel (AAP) of job knowledge experts will thoroughly screen and evaluate the application and supplemental questionnaire for job knowledge, competencies and related experience described above.

Based on the Department's needs, the selection procedures listed above may be modified. Applicants will be notified of any changes in the selection procedures.

Eligible List
Once the assessment has been completed, HRS will establish an eligible list of candidates. Candidates placed on the eligible list may be referred to a selection interview to be considered for present and future vacancies.

Veterans Employment Preference
The County is committed to providing a mechanism to give preferential consideration in the employment process to veterans and their eligible spouses and will provide eligible participants the opportunity to receive interviews in the selection process for employment and paid internship openings. Please click here to review the policy.

Please Note: The information you provide on your application and/or response to the supplemental questions may be used as a scoring device, so please be thorough and complete in your response. "See Resume" is not a qualifying response and will not be scored in lieu of the required information.Please see below for important information regarding COVID-19 related recommendations.

Effective April 3, 2023, it is strongly recommended that County employees working in health care settings and correctional facilities follow vaccination and booster guidelines provided by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Please click here to see the latest guidance for more details.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION
Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in our application and use only one email account.

NOTE: User accounts are established for one person only and should not be shared with another person. Multiple applications with multiple users may jeopardize your status in the recruitment process for any positions for which you apply.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email through the GovernmentJobs.com site. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "governmentjobs.com" and "ocgov.com." If your email address should change, please update your profile at http://www.governmentjobs.com

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Candace Jones at (714) 347-8302 or [email protected].