Conference Officer

Lancaster County•Lancaster, PA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position is responsible for conducting conferences with plaintiffs and defendants to establish, modify, or enforce support orders. The role involves reviewing case documents, explaining support guidelines and procedures, and preparing orders or recommendations for the Court. The Conference Officer also appears at hearings to represent the Domestic Relations Section (DRS) and assists in enforcing support compliance.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree with major course work in Social Work, Psychology, Criminal Justice or a related field; or any combination of the acceptable education and experience which has provided the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the essential job functions.
Proficient in use of personal computer, word processing and Windows applications.
Knowledge of principles and practices of the domestic relations field.
Knowledge of practices and procedures commonly utilized in domestic relations casework.
Knowledge of the methods and techniques employed in interviewing adults in support situations involving children, marital breakdown, and similar issues.
Ability to communicate effectively with support litigants, attorneys, members of the judicial system, employers, co-workers and other citizens.
Ability to identify important sources of information, analyze data, and reach sound conclusions.
Skilled in mathematics.
Possess a general knowledge of audit practices in the workplace.
Ability to maintain accurate and complete caseload records for use by others.
Ability to organize tasks and be skilled in the efficient use of time to meet multiple demands of high stress and constantly changing work environment.
Possess ability to remain calm in stressful environment, work independently, follow directions, read and comprehend procedures.
Competent in use of personal computer and calculator.
Possess ability to perform assignments under the normal working conditions under which the job operates.
Attend and successfully complete all training courses mandated by DRS/BCSE.
This position requires a pre-employment background check as required by policy to perform the duties.

Responsibilities

Conduct establishment, modification, or enforcement conferences with plaintiffs and defendants and their attorneys.
Review complaint, modification petition, and account status with parties.
Review earnings reported by employer, tax returns, and other relevant documents and information.
Explain application of Pennsylvania support guidelines, guideline calculations, and enforcement procedures and remedies.
Prepare an agreed order for signatures of the parties and submission to the Court when an agreement is reached.
Prepare a summary report and recommendation for the Court if no agreement is reached.
Appear at hearings on behalf of the DRS to respond to questions and provide information to the Presiding Judge.
Review case records, court orders, tax returns, wage/financial information, and similar documents.
Verify information by contacting employers, interviewing parties, and reviewing public records.
Process correspondence related to assigned cases.
Respond to questions and inquiries from clients regarding cases.
Generate appropriate forms and documents through use of PACSES.
Enter, update, and maintain all required data in PACSES.
Establish paternity for children born out of wedlock.
Calculate gross and net incomes for parties and review parties’ reported expenses.
Determine an amount of support to be paid by obligor by application of support guidelines.
Obtain information and/or evaluate health care coverage available to parties.
Review facts and make sound decisions in an expeditious manner.
Conduct enforcement conferences with delinquent obligors in the area of financial and medical support.
Identify reasons for delinquency and devise strategies using available enforcement remedies to restore support order compliance.
Appear in Court during contempt hearings on behalf of the DRS to respond to questions and provide information to the presiding Judge and/or assist in administrative functions during the hearing.
Process bench warrants.
Adhere to established safety and security procedures.
Report safety and security concerns to office management.
Perform other duties as assigned.