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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupport Enforcement OfficerJob Title: Department: Division: Reports To: FLSA Exempt (Y/N): Union: BBP: Salary Level: Location: Approved By: Approved Date: Jefferson County Job Description Support Enforcement Officer Prosecuting Attorney Family Support Prosecuting Attorney NO UFCW Potential Grade 27 Courthouse Human Resources Manager July 2020 SUMMARY Position provides litigation support services for paternity and child support actions, contempt actions, criminal nonsupport actions, and UIFSA referrals; researches law; investigates facts; interviews witnesses, potential witnesses and opposing counsel by performing the following duties. ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Assists with responding to dissolution of marriage petitions and modification of child support actions where State has a financial interest in the outcome. Document preparation and filing. Respond to the inquiries opposing counsel; review business records and other financial documents; maintain internal bookkeeping records and SEMS records. Independently contact and interview witnesses and other interested persons to obtain information critical to the successful prosecuting or defense of family support cases. On a case by case basis, negotiate the settlement of cases within general parameters dictated by the supervising Deputy Prosecuting Attorney. Keep the supervising Deputy apprised of all new developments of significance in all cases and remind him or her of all critical deadlines kept within the Officer's tickler system. Calendar all case dates; coordinate any changes with Court and attorney(s) Pull all files for court calendars; compare office calendars with printed court calendars; coordinate changes or additions with court; assure files contain necessary documents; prepare standard documents for pleas, restitution, motions and other scheduled hearings. Review attorney's case file diary to determine next case requirements and prepare documents, re -calendar case, subpoena witnesses or close file accordingly. Jefferson County Job Description: Prosecuting Attorney - Support Enforcement Officer Page 2 of 4 Prepares legal documents including appeal briefs, motions, affidavits, orders and correspondence for review, approval, and use by attorney. Assure format is that required by a particular court and that documents are accurate; file documents with court; prepare affidavits of mailing to opposing parties. Research and analyze law sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, legal articles, treaties, constitutions, and legal codes. Investigate facts and law of case to assist in determining causes of action and to prepare case accordingly. File pleadings with court clerk. Ascertain witnesses for each case; prepare trial and special hearing subpoenas; arrange for service or mail same. Provide information to other parties, defendants and defense attorneys in criminal matters at the counter and by phone; coordinate continuances, special meetings, and motion hearings with other parties, the defense and the Court. Provide information to victims and witnesses regarding court dates, restitution, case status, etc.; assist victims in preparing and filing applications for crime victim's compensation; coordinate compensation benefits and restitution with State agency. Upon review of a civil or criminal file, draft jury instructions for attorney review; assure final instructions are prepared in proper format and on timely basis. Assist in preparation of trial notebooks and trial exhibits. Telephone witnesses to confirm or reschedule trial or hearing dates; attempt to locate witnesses whose addresses or phone numbers are no longer valid. Testifies as a witness on behalf of the State of Washington as needed. Prepare highly confidential documents such as memorandums to other county offices and officers, search warrants, investigative notes, motions/affidavits for arrest warrants. Maintain all assigned case files current, entering new dates and record of actions in case diary, filing all case documents in appropriate locate and order in file. Schedules genetic tests for mother, child(ren) and possible fathers; attends genetic tests to verify identification, photograph parties, take tissue samples into custody; packages tissue samples and arranges for transport to the appropriate testing facility. Performs investigative work as necessary to determine location, assets, income of absent parent; contacts variety of employers, state and local agencies, schools and other organizations to secure information. Attend annual training seminars. Complies with confidentiality requirements of the Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC), including RPC 1.6, RPC 3.6, and RPC 3.8. RPC 1.6 prohibits disclosure to any person outside of the Prosecuting Attorney's Office (PAO) of information obtained from clients, except under limited circumstances that only the Prosecuting Attorney can approve. For purposes of this job description, "clients" are the County and its employees, and the Port Townsend Police Department and its employees. RPC 3.6 prohibits employees of the PAO from having any communication outside of the PAO about the investigation or communication of a matter being handled by the PAO, except in limited circumstances that only the Jefferson County Job Description: Prosecuting Attorney - Support Enforcement Officer Page 3 of 4 Prosecuting Attorney can approve. RPC 3.8 discusses the special responsibility of prosecutors in the justice system and prohibits employees of the PAO from having any communication outside of the PAO that could have a substantial likelihood of heightening public condemnation of the accused in a criminal case. Performs other duties as assigned or required SUPRRVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This job has no supervisory responsibilities. QUALIFICATIONS To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE Associate's degree (A. A.) or equivalent from two-year college or technical school specializing in law or legal office practices or a Paralegal program; and eight (8) years related experience in a legal office and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience to be classified as a "Paralegal." LANGUAGE SKILLS Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors. MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals. Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs. REASONING ABILITY Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Valid Washington State Driver's License upon hire and throughout employment. Paralegal Program Certificate or functional equivalent. OTHER SKILLS AND ABILITIES Thorough knowledge of legal office practices and procedures; legal terminology, papers, documents, including appropriate formats. Jefferson County Job Description: Prosecuting Attorney - Support Enforcement Officer Page 4 of 4 The ability to use or learn to use the Support Enforcement Management Systems (SEMS) SSGEN, and other databases such as DOH, DISCIS, JUVIS, SCOMIS, DOL and ACES. Ability to operate personal computer and standard office machines. Knowledge of MS Office Suite, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Ability to take dictation. Ability to tactful, act with discretion, and maintain a calm attitude under stressful and overly hostile situations. Ability to ask extremely personal questions of total strangers related to their sexual activities. Ability to work with a multitude of deadlines imposed by federal and State governments and the Courts. Ability to obtain accurate information from sources that are often less than reliable. Must be able to Identify whether the witness is being truthful. Ability to plan and organize work and determine operational needs in advance; Use of initiative to make decisions in completing assigned tasks. Use of tact and judgment in responding to the public, law enforcement, defendants, and officials from other agencies. Use of judgment during independent contact with witnesses and opposing counsel. Ability to maintain confidences as required by the Rules of Professional conduct that govern attorneys and their staff. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations maybe made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. WORK ENVIRONMENT The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. CAREER LADDER POSITION This position is not part of a career ladder.