Conference Officer 1 - Domestic Relations

GENERAL PURPOSE
The Conference Officer 1 position performs social work in the determination, establishment, modification, and enforcement of support orders in Domestic Relations cases. A position in this class gathers and verifies information, evaluates the information collected, and prepares a recommended support order. Work includes conducting interviews and mediating conferences with the parties, and reviewing and investigating complains of noncompliance with support orders. A position in this class carries out assignments of increasing responsibility and independent as the incumbent progresses in the field.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED
This position reports directly to the Deputy Director or the Director of Domestic Relations.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED
This position is not responsible for the supervision of other employees.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES OF THE POSITION
Reviews case records, Court Orders, wage and financial information, employment histories and similar information. Verifies information by contacting employers, interviewing parties, and checking public records. Calculates wage certifications.

Reviews complaints about nonpayment of support. Reviews records and verifies information. Meets with delinquent individual and assesses ability and willingness to carry out support payments. Where applicable, prepares cases for recommended contempt cases. Attends Court hearings to present findings and make recommendations to Judge.

Conducts and mediates support conferences attended by the parties and their counsel. Explains Court established guidelines on reasonable amounts of support for various situations, including consideration of children’s ages, both parents’ earnings, and existing obligations. Reviews expenses submitted by individuals and determines which are allowable. Solicits individual’s ideas and opinions, and may suggest alternatives in order to assist parties to reach an agreement.

Calculates and recommends appropriate support or modification in those cases in which an agreement cannot be not reached. Calculates support figures from established guidelines and available income. Documents all information received and considered, conference discussions, and agreements reached and/or recommendations made. Processes paperwork necessary to effect agreement reached and/or ordered. Prepares Court Orders outlining amount of support to be paid. Prepares case summaries for Judge’s review, and makes recommendation on support.  Attends and testifies at support hearings. Maintains records for each case.

Receives and reviews requests for modifications and suspensions, and determines whether a conference is warranted. 

Gathers information on County residents in response to requests for assistance from Courts in other jurisdictions to honor their support orders. 

Computes arrearages for support. Modifies Court Orders where defendant no longer owes arrears. 

Attempts to locate missing defendants by writing to employers, prisons, and other agencies. 

Attends conferences and training sessions to learn of changes in the field.

*An employee assigned to this title shall perform a majority, but may not perform all, of the duties listed in this job description. Conversely, minor level duties performed on the job may not be listed. The duties listed above are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE – Completion of a high school, or general equivalency diploma; AND

Completion of a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Social Work, Counseling, or a closely related field; OR

Equivalent combination of education and experience.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES  
Knowledge of the principles and practices of the Domestic Relations field.

Knowledge of practices and procedures commonly used in Domestic Relations casework.

Knowledge of the methods and techniques used in interviewing adults in support situations involving children, marital breakdown, and similar issues.

Ability to communicate effectively with the parties, attorneys, members of the judicial system, private employers, and other members of the public.

Ability to identify important sources of information, analyze that date, and reach sound conclusions.

Ability to maintain accurate and complete caseload records for use by others.

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT
Telephone, personal computer (including word processing and spreadsheet software), calculator, writing implements, fax machine, copy machine, and paper shredder.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to walk, sit, talk or hear.  

The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to twenty-five (25) pounds.  

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet. 

SELECTION GUIDELINES
Formal application, rating of education and experience, oral interview and reference check as well as job related tests may be required. 

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.


FLSA STATUS: FLSA NON-EXEMPT (ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME)
DESIGNATION: EXEMPT SERVICE (JUDICIALLY APPOINTED)
PAY GRADE: CP/GR22
UNION STATUS: COURT APPOINTED PROFESSIONAL UNIT

Updated February 2024