Domestic Relations Conference Hearing Officer

County of Chester•Justice Center - West Chester, PA

11d

About The Position

The Domestic Relations Conference Hearing Officer conducts conferences with clients and attorneys to establish paternity and child and spousal support orders in accordance with Pennsylvania law and state and local rules of civil procedure. The role calculates support obligations using Pennsylvania State guidelines and handles support matters, paternity acknowledgments, orders, hearings, case follow-up, and related records and reports. A criminal background check is required. Relevant background checks, clearances, physicals, drug tests, and other assessments or evaluations are conducted after an offer of employment, in accordance with County policy.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Two years of job-related experience.
Excellent interpersonal skills.
Strong professional ethics.
Knowledge of and ability to calculate incomes.
Strong verbal and written communication skills.
Accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently and proceed with objectives.
Strong organizational and time-management skills.
Ability to work as part of a team.
Ability to exercise sound judgment and coordinate resolutions to critical situations under all conditions.
Ability to maintain confidential information and handle confidential matters.
Basic skills using a personal computer and various software packages.
Basic Word skills.
Basic Outlook skills, including email and calendar.
Skill and knowledge using PACSES software.
Basic skill and knowledge using a court management system.
Working knowledge of a DPW computer terminal.
Basic knowledge and skill using a state email system.
Basic skill and knowledge using Jetforms software.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in social science or a related field.
Strong negotiating skills.
Training and skill in conflict management.
Basic accounting knowledge and skill.
Ability to follow office protocol.
Customer service experience.
Ability to use common-sense understanding to carry out instructions.
Ability to handle and resolve recurring problems.
Ability to establish priorities and remain focused on daily operations.
Ability to carry tasks through to completion.
Current working knowledge of Pennsylvania Rules of Civil Procedure.
Current working knowledge of Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) and Inter-County Family Support Act (IFSA) laws.
Current working knowledge of Pennsylvania Child Support Guidelines.
General knowledge and understanding of County of Chester policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

Conduct conferences with clients and attorneys regarding paternity and child and spousal support.
Negotiate support for children and/or a spouse, including alimony pendente lite, by calculating support obligations under Pennsylvania State guidelines. When entitlement to spousal support is challenged, schedule the matter for a master hearing; enter alimony pendente lite orders by agreement only.
Review cases, complete conferences and required reports, and review significant events during conferences.
Establish paternity by scheduling DNA testing for the defendant, father or mother, and child, or by having the defendant acknowledge paternity and sign the appropriate documentation.
Enter temporary orders and follow up with a 10-day notice.
Schedule master hearings when requested.
Finalize and prepare orders, and accurately and completely address and docket all order provisions.
Enter interim orders as needed.
Follow up on cases where stipulations and orders are to be received from attorneys.
Issue bench warrants when defendants served with conference notices fail to appear.
Complete reports containing statistics on matters discussed and scheduled.
Maintain, produce, and distribute reports and records as required.
Perform other duties, tasks, and special projects as required.