Family Law Facilitator/Self-Help Center Attorney - Open Until Filled

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Under the direction of the General Counsel, the Family Law Facilitator provides the services mandated by Family Code Sections 10000-10015, and performs other related duties as required. This position also provides legal services to the Self-Help Center for self-represented litigants.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This single-position management class is an at-will position that exercises a high degree of independent judgment in administering the activities of the position. The position serves Trinity County as well as Shasta County.

EXAMPLE OF DUTIES

Designs, evaluates, analyzes, and revises elements of the facilitator and self-help programs; develops operational procedures.

Conducts clinics or seminars to assist litigants in the completion of Court forms.

Provides educational materials to parents concerning the process of establishing parentage and establishing, modifying, and enforcing child support in the courts; distributes necessary court forms and voluntary declarations of paternity; provides assistance in completing forms, prepares support schedules based upon statutory guidelines; provides referrals to the District Attorney, Family Court Services, and other community agencies and resources that provide services for parents and children.

Assists the Court by providing information to litigants on the day of their court appearance.

Provides information on process and procedural matters to self-represented litigants, including assistance in completing forms in areas such as unlawful detainers and guardianship matters.

Selects, assigns, monitors, and evaluates the work of subordinate staff.

Identifies and provides training to community organizations providing family services.

Prepares correspondence and reports.

Travel to Trinity County Superior Court twice per month to provide contracted Family Law Facilitator services.

QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS

Five (5) or more years of experience in the practice of law, which must include substantial family law practice experience, including litigation and/or mediation, or any combination of training and experience that provides the desired knowledge and abilities.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION INFORMATION

Knowledge Of;

• Family Law procedures;
• Child support establishment and enforcement process under Title IV-D of the federal Social Security Act;
• Child support law and the operation of the uniform state child support guideline;
• The law and psychological issues related to domestic violence;
• Family Law support software programs and Family Law forms and their software programs;
• Mediation techniques and approaches;
• Legal principles and procedures related to restraining orders including, but not limited to, domestic violence restraining orders;
• Guardianship law general principles and procedures; and
• Small claims principles and procedures.

Ability to:

• Plan for and develop a program within guidelines set forth by the Court and Family Code Section 10000, et seq.;
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with the bench officers, Court staff, as well as outside agencies;
• Establish and maintain a cooperative relationship and effective referral base with legal and domestic violence resources in the community;
• Establish and maintain a positive and credible relationship with the members of the local family law bar and office of Child Support Services;
• Communicate effectively in person and over the telephone with people who cannot read or write, have limited comprehension, have difficult legal and financial problems even though they have very little or no income or assets, have learning disabilities or limitations, have physical disabilities or limitations, speak languages other than English as their primary language, are confused, angry, hostile, or frustrated with the legal system;
• Write clear, concise, and easy to understand directions for Title IV-D procedures;
• Explain and instruct orally in applicable law and procedures;
• Recruit, train, motivate, and supervise volunteers;
• Explore new ideas and create innovative approaches to Family Law procedures with the flexibility to adopt and integrate new ideas and innovative approaches.