Legal Technician - Child Support bei Pueblo County, CO

About the Department

Applies regulations and procedures to locate absent parents, establishes paternity for children born out of wedlock, establishes child support and medical support orders, modifies existing orders, enforces orders and collects support for non-public assistance and public assistance customers.  Legal Technicians learn and apply federal, state and local rules and regulations and court procedures with a moderate degree of independence within the Child Support Services Division of the Department of Human Services. Legal Technicians maintain a large caseload.

This posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies

Position Duties

• Interviews clients to obtain general information concerning the absent parent including identity, residence, legal status, legal history and assets.
• Assess case information to determine appropriate administrative and legal course of action to pursue in locating absent parents, establishing paternity, establishing child support and medical support orders, modification of child support orders and enforcement of child support and medical support orders. 
• Monitors child support payments and follows up when necessary; makes adjustments to funds appropriate to the obligations and refers unidentified payments or problems to supervisor.
• Performs accounting duties including preparing arrears calculations, analyzing financial data and negotiating payment agreements and settlements. 
• Collects DNA samples for testing to establish paternity.
• Sets up and monitors tissue type DNA testing procedures for paternity cases including seeing that legal requirements are met.
• Holds negotiation conferences with parties to the action.     
• Prepares legal documents and correspondence. 
• Establishes administrative orders which are as valid as an order signed by a judge.  
• Prepares and files with the courts administrative and legal actions within mandated timeframes. 
• Reviews court actions with attorney and assists at court hearings. 
• Accompanies attorney to hearings and testifies at court as necessary. 
• Conducts legal and court related research in judicial systems, state databases and in collaboration with other jurisdictions and partner agencies.
• Reviews applications for services for completeness and requests legal documents from court as needed.
• Communicate with attorneys, court personnel, employers, parents and the general public in a professional manner designed to encourage participation in the overall goals of the department. 
• Performs other duties as appropriate or necessary for performance of the job.

Minimum Qualifications

EDUCATION:

• High School Diploma or GED equivalency required

EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum two years of administrative support experience to include one year of performing eligibility determination, legal secretarial work, or related work experience required

• Valid driver’s license at the time of application and a valid Colorado driver’s license at time of hire required
  
• Ability to become certified in Administrative Process which requires testing and re-certification every three years required
• Paralegal Certification preferred

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Must successfully pass background check

Other Qualifications

• Comprehensive Benefits package (medical, dental, vision, etc.) for full-time employees
• Generous Vacation and Sick Leave Accrual
• Remote & Hybrid working opportunities
• County Retirement Program
• Autonomy to grow and find your career path with supportive leadership
• Truly inclusive and diverse environment
• Fitness Center (Historic Pueblo Courthouse Building)
• May be eligible for up to 12-weeks Paid Parental Leave Benefits (full-time employees)