DHS - Legal Technician I or II

Pueblo County • Pueblo, CO

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

This vacancy announcement may be used to fill multiple positions at either level, depending upon qualifications and experience. The Legal Technician I and II roles are within the Child Support Services Division of the Department of Human Services. Both roles are responsible for applying federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and court procedures focused on locating parents, establishing paternity for children, and creating orders for child support and medical support. Key responsibilities include modifying existing support orders, ensuring compliance with these orders, and collecting child support payments for both non-public assistance and public assistance customers. The Legal Technician I works under direct supervision, while the Legal Technician II works under minimal supervision and independently manages a significant caseload.

LEGAL TECHNICIAN I: Under direct supervision, reviews case information to determine the necessary administrative and legal actions for locating parents. This includes establishing paternity, setting up child support and medical support orders, modifying existing child support and medical support orders, and enforcing both types of orders. Monitors child support payments, conducts necessary follow-ups, adjusts funds based on established financial obligations, and refers any unidentified payments or issues to the supervisor for further review. Maintains a chronological record of comprehensive case management, including work performed, contacts made, interactions, decisions, calculations, and legal or administrative actions taken. Conducts client interviews and holds negotiation meetings to collect general information about both parents, including their identity, residence, legal status, legal history, and assets. Performs legal and court-related research within judicial systems and state databases. Travels independently to accompany the attorney to court hearings and testifies as needed. Prepares legal documents and correspondence. Performs basic math calculations, including preparing arrears calculations, analyzing financial data, and negotiating payment agreements and settlements. Communicates with attorneys, court personnel, employers, parents, and the public to promote participation in the department's overall goals. Collects DNA samples for paternity testing and establishes tissue type DNA testing procedures, ensuring compliance with legal requirements. Works provided reports to ensure that cases are addressed with the appropriate level of attention and in a timely manner. Issues income withholding orders and collaborates with employers to ensure proper withholding and compliance. Issues administrative orders that have the same validity as those signed by a judge. Performs additional tasks as assigned, including filling in for other staff as necessary and/or required.

LEGAL TECHNICIAN II: Independently evaluates case information to determine the necessary administrative and legal actions for locating parents. This includes establishing paternity, setting up child support and medical support orders, modifying existing child support and medical support orders, and enforcing both types of orders. Conducts comprehensive legal and court-related research within judicial systems and state databases while collaborating with other jurisdictions and partner agencies. Accompanies the attorney to court hearings and testifies as needed. With minimal supervision, monitors child support payments, conducts necessary follow-ups, adjusts funds based on established financial obligations, and refers any unidentified payments or issues to the supervisor for further assessment. Independently drafts and reviews legal documents, pleadings, and correspondence. Travels independently to accompany the attorney to hearings and provides testimony in court as needed. Conducts client interviews and holds negotiation meetings to collect general information about both parents, including their identity, residence, legal status, legal history, and assets. Independently applies appropriate legal enforcement and specialized judgment to determine case actions and accurately applies suitable legal enforcement remedies. Independently generates, tracks, and maintains reports to ensure that cases are addressed with the appropriate level of attention and in a timely manner. Performs accounting tasks, including preparing arrears calculations, analyzing financial data, and negotiating payment agreements and settlements. Communicates with attorneys, court personnel, employers, parents, and the public to promote participation in the department's overall goals. Collects DNA samples for paternity testing and establishes tissue type DNA testing procedures, ensuring compliance with legal requirements. Issues income withholding orders and collaborates with employers to ensure proper withholding and compliance. Independently issues administrative orders that have the same validity as those signed by a judge. Performs additional tasks as assigned, including filling in for other staff as necessary and/or required.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED Equivalency required
• Minimum of two (2) years or more administrative support experience or related clerical work required
• Valid driver’s license at the time of hire and a valid Colorado driver’s license within 90 days of hire required
• Administrative Process Action (Establishment, Modification, Leads, and Judicial) within 6 months of hire required
• Enforcement Certification (Enforcement, Interstate, Judicial, and Case Manager) within 6 months of hire required
• Must successfully pass background check
• Minimum of two (2) years or more serving as a Legal Technician I (for Legal Technician II position)

Nice To Haves

• Notary Public Commission upon hire preferred
• Bilingual in English and Spanish preferred

Responsibilities

• Locating parents
• Establishing paternity for children
• Creating orders for child support and medical support
• Modifying existing support orders
• Ensuring compliance with support orders
• Collecting child support payments
• Conducting client interviews
• Holding negotiation meetings
• Performing legal and court-related research
• Traveling to court hearings
• Testifying in court
• Preparing legal documents and correspondence
• Performing basic math calculations
• Preparing arrears calculations
• Analyzing financial data
• Negotiating payment agreements and settlements
• Communicating with attorneys, court personnel, employers, parents, and the public
• Collecting DNA samples for paternity testing
• Establishing tissue type DNA testing procedures
• Issuing income withholding orders
• Collaborating with employers
• Issuing administrative orders

Benefits

• 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)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED