Child Support- Legal Specialist

Eau Claire County; Eau Claire (WI); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Eau Claire County Child Support Agency seeks a Legal Specialist to provide technical legal and clerical support. You will draft legal documents, research court orders, maintain calendars, and coordinate service of process while ensuring confidentiality and compliance.

Responsibilities include preparing notices, clerical support, and collaborating with Sheriff’s Office for hearings and warrants, with a focus on accuracy and timely actions in Wisconsin law context.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of legal terminology and processes.
• Experience with standard office practices and procedures.
• Confidentiality and accuracy in documentation.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, draft, and review legal documents for service of process and court hearings.
• Research and interpret court orders and case information.
• Maintain CSA and official calendars; notify parties and staff of hearings and deadlines.
• Coordinate service of process and working with vendors and agencies.
• Notarize documents as needed and maintain records with confidentiality.
• Assist in establishing paternity and preparing related legal filings.
• Collaborate with Sheriff’s Office for inmate-related proceedings and warrants.

Skills

Legal terminology

Legal processes

Office procedures

Customer service

Education

Associate degree in paralegal or related field

High school diploma with 2 years in legal/Child Support setting

Three years of administrative support experience

Job description

The Legal Specialist provides technical legal and clerical support for the Child Support Agency (CSA). This position researches, analyzes, and/or interprets court orders and case situations, independently drafts legal documents, and conducts order revision activities ensuring timely notice and adherence to legal requirements.

• Practices standard office etiquette and procedures; prepares court calendar and maintains Assistant Corporation Counsel calendar for child support matters; distributes court calendar to appropriate parties including agency staff, Corporation Counsel, Clerk of Courts, Family Court Commissioner, Judicial Assistants, and Judges; coordinates and schedules pre-trial conferences; maintains e-filing queue; distributes documents to the assigned worker and provides copies to appropriate parties.
• Directs legal terminology knowledge to compose, update, and verify legal documents in a timely and accurate manner; drafts and prepares legal documents for service of process, summons and petitions, reviews and modifications, orders to show cause, notices of motion, and all related appearance process documents; ensures that legal documents are reviewed and signed by appropriate official(s); reviews Agency file information to ensure accuracy and completeness prior to hearings.
• Transfers awareness of Wisconsin Statues as they pertain to child support, and the legal process to support and protect the CSA with cases; determines service of process requirements based on type of legal action, timeframe for court actions, and location of party(s) requiring services; notifies service of process vendors, forwards documents, coordinates pre-payment if necessary; serves parties in the Child Support Agency or jail or arranges for service of papers; assists and directs Child Support Specialists regarding the correct legal procedures.
• Takes detailed notes while attending court hearings; incorporates essential details in preparing resulting orders or related legal documents; refers legal documents to appropriate official(s) for review; reviews court files to glean relevant information regarding child support and/or maintenance orders to ensure or clarify continuity of order.
• Reviews and manages multiple cases with minimal supervision to expedite workflow and achieve greater departmental performance and productivity; adapts to changes in priority to meet deadlines.
• Computes basic math calculations to determine income withholding requirements; prepares income withholding orders and income withholding terminations as directed.
• Maintains knowledge of and proficiency in multiple data systems, policies, and procedures; maintains reference manuals, statutes, bulletins, policies, and procedures as needed to keep current with various legal document wording and program changes and requirements.
• Performs various records management duties complying with established guidelines; maintains controls to ensure expeditious preparation and filing of documents; updates case files and performs computer data entry; reviews orders, documents, information, court dates, and other pertinent information; interprets child support/maintenance orders; researches court files and interprets court orders to obtain information for income assignments; notifies probate and bankruptcy court when the case involves child support; prepares income withholding notices to employers; follows retention and destruction procedures.
• Assists in establishing paternity for non-marital children either administratively or judicially; prepares summons, petitions, and notices to the parties; prepares Guardian Ad Litem petition, order, and consent forms; schedules genetic testing and prepares documentation for testing lab; obtains DNA specimens and assures chain of custody of genetic samples; prepares Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgment forms; prepares other vital records forms to update birth records subsequent to paternity adjudication.
• Collaborates with the Sheriff’s Office, jail, and prison staff to ensure inmate compliance to child support obligations; coordinates with the jail or prison staff to facilitate transports or set-up video or phone appearances for incarcerated individuals as needed; prepares documents and works with Sheriff’s Office to issue and retract child support warrants; annually reconciles list of warrants with State of Wisconsin Kids Information Data System (KIDS) to ensure continuity; reviews and cross-references the daily jail roster with KIDS Data System; notifies the assigned worker and prepares the file for intake court as needed.
• Adheres to strict documentation and confidentiality guidelines; maintains accurate documentation of all case work and customer contacts in KIDS Data System.
• Demonstrates positive customer service; answers calls; greets walk-in customers; identifies service needs; provides general information; transfers calls to appropriate agency staff as needed.
• Completes notary public duties as needed in compliance with notary regulations.

• Participates in staff meetings and attends training sessions as scheduled.
• Provides back-up coverage for the Administrative Associate.
• Performs other related duties as required or directed.

• Associate degree in paralegal, business administration, or related field OR
• High school diploma or equivalent plus two (2) years working in a Child Support Office or legal setting.
• Three (3) years of experience performing progressively responsible administrative support duties.
• Professional experience in each of the following areas: legal terminology and legal processes and standard office practices and procedures
• Professional experience working in a legal office setting or child support agency.
• Appointment will be conditional upon successful completion of a Department of Justice criminal background check and fingerprinting.
• Notary Public or eligibility to become a Notary Public within six (6) months of hire and maintain thereafter during employment.