Statewide Child Support Magistrate

Minnesota Judicial Branch•Saint Paul, MN

4d•Remote

About The Position

The Minnesota Judicial Branch (MJB) is seeking to fill two full-time positions for Child Support Magistrate. These at-will positions involve professional and highly responsible legal work adjudicating Expedited Child Support Process cases. The positions will be supervised by the Chief and Assistant Chief Child Support Magistrates with the State Court Administrator’s Office (SCAO). All expedited child support cases are heard using remote technology absent a special exception. Magistrates are expected to perform their duties in the electronic case management environment, using the technology, systems, and computer equipment provided by the MJB. Magistrates are required to draft and prepare their own court orders using court-provided software and equipment. Magistrates do not have a law clerk, court reporter, or other support staff. Magistrates are not allowed to practice law in addition to working as a Child Support Magistrate. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and mediation are not the practice of law and are not prohibited. Any outside employment, including mediation, is subject to MJB’s outside employment policy and needs approval by the appointing authority. The Child Support Unit seeks to continuously improve the justice system for all Minnesotans by providing a forum for all voices to be heard and then to issue fair and impartial orders. The unit is an empathetic, supportive, and innovative place to work consisting of 28 Magistrates across the state, 2 Magistrates who supervise the program, and 2 child support analysts who provide program support and administration. Training and onboarding will be provided before the selected candidate presides over Expedited Child Support Process calendars.

Requirements

Graduation from an accredited law school.
Currently licensed to practice law in the state of MN and in good standing.
Five years of experience as a licensed attorney, focusing on family law and demonstrating strong knowledge of child support law.
A passing score on the court's Child Support Magistrate test (Current Magistrates and those who have passed the test within the past 5 years (June 2021 or later) will not be required to retake the test).
Integrity, maturity, and appropriate judicial temperament.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others and show respect and patience when interacting with parties, attorneys, witnesses, and court staff.
Knowledge of state laws and court rulings pertaining to family court, especially child support-related statutes, rules, and case law.
Knowledge of court procedures, rules of evidence, and courtroom procedures, especially the rules of the expedited child support process.
Ability to apply legal principles and specialized knowledge to individual cases and problems.
Ability to prepare for hearings and hear difficult and complex cases.
Ability to present material logically in oral and written form.
Strong public speaking skills and the ability to communicate effectively in writing, including drafting clear, concise, and easily understandable orders.
Works well under pressure and tight deadlines.
Excellent time management skills.
Flexibility and ability to adapt to different situations, for example hearing cases in all judicial districts that may have varying economic levels, educational opportunities, and employment resources in the community.

Nice To Haves

Substantial IV-D child support experience.

Responsibilities

Prepare for and conduct child support hearings relating to the establishment, modification, and enforcement of child support, the establishment of parentage, and reimbursement of public assistance; review and decide requests for continuances and requests for discovery.
Preside over child support hearings in a fair, impartial, and expeditious manner, maintain decorum in the hearing and develop an accurate record.
Listen to and evaluate the evidence of witnesses; listen to the presentation of case; rule on the admissibility of evidence and methods of conducting testimony.
Issue appropriate, fair, and impartial orders from each hearing in a timely fashion.
Prepare, sign, and electronically file orders based on evidence and findings within the 30 days allowed by court rules.
Review and either approve or decline uncontested orders.
Work with the team of Child Support Magistrates to ensure consistency in rulings while applying the law to each case.
Assist with child support related projects like research, updating order templates, training, and development, and drafting of policies to encourage consistency where consistency matters.