LEGAL ASSISTANT (ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER I)

State of Maryland; Maryland; On-site; USD 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dedicated team at the Maryland Department of Human Services, where you will play a vital role in conducting administrative hearings and supporting child support cases. This position requires strong administrative and legal skills, as you will prepare legal documents, negotiate agreements, and assist in the courtroom. With a commitment to serving the community, you will help ensure that Maryland's families receive the support they need. Enjoy a collaborative work environment with access to outstanding benefits, including health insurance, personal leave, and a pension plan. If you are passionate about making a difference and have the necessary qualifications, we encourage you to apply!

Benefits

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision plans

Annual leave

Sick leave

Parental leave

Pension plan

Telework eligibility

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent required.
• One year of administrative staff or professional work experience needed.

Responsibilities

• Conduct administrative hearings for child support settlement conferences.
• Prepare legal documents and negotiate consent agreements.

Skills

Administrative skills

Legal research

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Google Drive

Family Investment Administration (FIA) systems

Job description

Introduction

When you join the Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS), you join a team of more than 5,000 employees across the state dedicated to positively changing the lives of more than 1 million Marylanders each year. We do this by providing economic support, preventive services, and caring for children and adults. We aim to deliver services so that we more quickly meet the needs of the people we serve. At DHS, we grapple with hard questions to find new ways to foster a culture of bold innovation. We do this to ensure that in Maryland, we leave no one behind.

GRADE

13

LOCATION OF POSITION

Prince George's County Office of Child Support Administration Legal Unit 4235 28th Avenue Temple Hills, MD 20748

Main Purpose of Job

Administrative Officer I conducts administrative hearings for child support settlement conferences and/or conciliation hearings, preparing complaints and motions for filing with the court to establish, enforce, and modify child support cases. Negotiates settlement conferences to reach consent order agreements between the parties and refers cases to the Assistant Attorney General to be heard before the Judge or Magistrate when agreement cannot be reached. Supervises special projects and analysis of data relating to the operation of the Legal Unit in the Prince George's County Child Support Administration. Assists the Assistant Attorney General in the courtroom by conducting in-depth analysis of the facts in the case or interactions with child support litigants, attorneys, employers, and court personnel; makes decisions regarding the review and adjustment process; completes complex legal documents. Individuals must be able to interpret and apply Maryland Family Law, Federal regulations, COMAR, and various legal references.

POSITION DUTIES

1. Attends court hearings including conducting settlement conferences to obtain consent agreements and obtaining and preparing consent orders.
2. Reviews and processes all assigned modifications requests by the due date and based on Standard Operating Procedures; conducts a preliminary review by calculating child support guidelines to determine if there are changes in the circumstances since the most recent order.
3. Completes court follow-up by retaining all required documentation, entering the information in the court calendar, and updating the case disposition; reviews and makes adjustments by reviewing and processing all assigned modifications and reviewing all databases.
4. Conducts legal research and preparation of legal documents by contacting necessary parties, scheduling interviews, completing requests for information in the requested format, and monitoring the discovery process.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Applicants must meet all minimum (and selective) qualifications to be considered, and to appear on the list of people eligible for hire. Please read all requirements before applying.

Education: Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: One year of administrative staff or professional work.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute 30 college credit hours from an accredited college or university for the required experience.
2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer involving staff work that included regular use of independent judgment and analysis in applying and interpreting complex administrative plans, policies, rules or regulations or analysis of operational programs or procedures with recommendations for improvement on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preference will be given to applicants who possess the following preferred qualification(s). Include clear and specific information on your application regarding your qualifications.

1. Six months experience in preparing pleadings, motions and various court documents and/or participating in administrative hearings or hearings in front of a Magistrate or a Judge and/or using Maryland Electronic Courts (MDEC).
2. Six months experience using electronic platforms such as Microsoft Office platforms (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Google Drive platforms.
3. Six months experience utilizing Family Investment Administration (FIA) systems such as Child Support Management System (CSMS) and Eligibility and Enrollment (E&E).

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

SELECTION PROCESS

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The assessment may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

BENEFITS

As an employee of the State of Maryland, you will have access to outstanding benefits, including: health insurance, dental, and vision plans offered at a low cost. Personal Leave - new State employees are awarded six (6) personnel days annually (prorated based on start date). Annual Leave - ten (10) days of accumulated annual leave per year. Sick Leave - fifteen (15) days of accumulated sick leave per year. Parental Leave - up to sixty (60) days of paid parental leave upon the birth or adoption of a child. Holidays - State employees also celebrate at least twelve (12) holidays per year. Pension - State employees earn credit towards a retirement pension. Positions may be eligible for telework.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application and supplemental questionnaire to, Department of Human Services, Examination Services Unit, Attn: Trelia Gunter, 25 S. Charles Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201. All mailed documents must include the applicant's name and the job number and must be received by 5 p.m. on the closing date. Resumes will NOT be accepted in lieu of completing the application. If additional information is required, the preferred method is to upload. If unable to upload, please email requested information only to [e-mail]. Only additional materials that are required will be accepted for this recruitment. All additional information must be received by the closing date and time. If you have any questions concerning this recruitment process for this position, please contact 410-767-7416. TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay. If you are having difficulty with your user account or have general questions about the online application system, please contact the MD Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, at 410-767-4850 or [e-mail]. As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.