Legal Office Associate III - Child Support

Frederick County Government; Frederick (MD); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance and dental/vision

Paid holidays and vacation leave

Tuition reimbursement

Life and AD&D insurance

Pension program

Job summary

Frederick County Government is seeking a Legal Office Associate III (Child Support Division) to perform advanced legal administrative and case management work in support of attorneys within the State’s Attorney’s Office. The role requires coordinating complex case files, drafting pleadings, and maintaining multiple case management systems while handling sensitive information with confidentiality.

A strong knowledge of Maryland legal procedures and court rules is essential.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree required; substitutions allowed as listed.
• Minimum 3 years of work experience in legal office administration, court office support, clerical legal support, or related experience.
• Substitutions: Bachelor’s degree with 1 year experience in a similar role; High School diploma with 5 years of related experience.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate with the Department of Social Services, law enforcement agencies, courts, correctional facilities, probation agencies, laboratories, attorneys, employers, government agencies, and interstate partners regarding assigned cases.
• Collect or review DNA specimens, coordinate genetic testing appointments, maintain chain-of-custody documentation, monitor probation compliance, and testify regarding assigned case matters when required by assignment.
• Manage and coordinate court dockets and send the appropriate paperwork to all parties in the case.
• Work closely with the Department of Social Services to establish, modify and enforce child support cases.
• Prepare discovery requests and all related pleadings to send to Defense Counsel for civil child support matters.
• Create and initiate new criminal, juvenile, child support, domestic violence, special victims, probation, or other assigned case files in accordance with applicable laws, court rules, office procedures and division assigned.
• Manage, organize, update, and maintain complex legal case files, case lists, calendars, timelines, and case management records through final disposition.
• Respond to correspondence, emails, telephone calls, electronic filings, and inquiries from attorneys, courts, law enforcement agencies, government agencies, opposing counsel, parties, witnesses, and the public.
• Maintain, update, and monitor case information within multiple databases, case management systems, electronic filing systems, and court records systems.
• Conduct legal and case-related research utilizing Maryland statutes, case law, court rules, charging manuals, court records, transportation articles, and related legal resources.
• Prepare, organize, redact, review, and distribute discovery materials, evidence, media files, witness information, and case documentation in accordance with legal requirements and court deadlines.
• Issue and coordinate subpoenas, summonses, writs, notices, and related court documents for witnesses, parties, law enforcement personnel, and incarcerated individuals.
• Monitor case progression, filing deadlines, court schedules, probation requirements, discovery obligations, and other legal timelines to ensure compliance with applicable laws and court rules.
• Collect, verify, analyze, and organize information and documentation from multiple sources to support legal proceedings and attorney case preparation.
• Provide backup coverage for reception, front desk operations, mail processing, telephone coverage, and other administrative functions as assigned.
• Provide coverage for coworkers during absences.
• Participating in meetings, training, system testing activities, implementation projects, and other departmental initiatives as assigned.
• Provide customer service and assistance to attorneys, court personnel, law enforcement agencies, external stakeholders, and members of the public while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism.

Education

Associate's degree

Bachelor's degree with 1 year experience (substitution)

High School diploma with 5 years experience (substitution)

Job description

Non-exempt (compensatory and/or overtime eligible); full-time; 40 hours per week; Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.; full-benefits; partial teleworking schedule may be available in accordance with Division policies.

The Legal Office Associate III (Child Support Division) performs advanced legal administrative and case management work in support of attorneys within the State’s Attorney’s Office. Responsibilities include maintaining and managing complex civil and criminal case files; preparing, drafting, and filing legal pleadings, discovery materials, motions, subpoenas, writs, court orders, and related legal documents; coordinating hearing, trial, and court schedules; conducting legal and case-related research; maintaining case management systems and electronic court records; communicating with courts, law enforcement agencies, government agencies, attorneys, witnesses, victims, defendants, and members of the public; and providing specialized support for criminal, juvenile, domestic violence, special victims, narcotics, economic crimes, child support, probation, and other assigned legal units. Work requires extensive knowledge of legal procedures, court rules, case management practices, and electronic filing systems, as well as the ability to independently manage assigned caseloads and competing deadlines. This position has no formal supervisory responsibilities but may provide training, guidance, and backup support to other staff as assigned.

NOTE: The upper pay range reflects possible wage rates for internal County transfers and promotions, which are calculated per County policy. For external hires, offers are made at the base wage rate.

The State’s Attorney’s Office strives to ensure equal opportunities and access for its workforce, applicants, and community members.

TOTAL COMPENSATION PACKAGE:

Frederick County offers an extensive compensation package to reflect how highly we value our employees. The following is what you can expect in your first year as a full-time benefited Frederick County Government employee.

• 11 days of Vacation leave with increase after 2 years of employment
• 15 days of Sick leave with unlimited annual carryover
• 11 paid holidays, plus 2 additional floating holidays (10 and 11 month employees may not receive all holidays)
• Day 1 coverage of comprehensive Medical Insurance Plan options to include generous County Health Savings Account (HSA) contribution (if enrolled in the high-deductible plan). This is part of a full range of benefits including Dental, Vision, and Flexible Spending
• Employee Health Center with no or low-cost primary and urgent care
• 100% County paid 2x annual salary Group Term Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D) benefit
• County and Employee funded Defined Benefit Pension Plan
• Vesting after 5 years of service
• Additional service credit for eligible previous public service, military service, etc.
• Work/Life balance programs include: Employee Assistance Program and Employee Wellness Program
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Other employee-paid benefits such as Deferred Compensation Plan, Legal Resources, Supplemental Life Insurance, Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital Indemnity Insurance, Lifetime Benefit with Long Term Care plan

NOTE: Benefited employees will accrue service and leave based on the FTE and/or hours worked per calendar year.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate with the Department of Social Services, law enforcement agencies, courts, correctional facilities, probation agencies, laboratories, attorneys, employers, government agencies, and interstate partners regarding assigned cases
• Collect or review DNA specimens, coordinate genetic testing appointments, maintain chain-of-custody documentation, monitor probation compliance, and testify regarding assigned case matters when required by assignment
• Manage and coordinate court dockets and send the appropriate paperwork to all partes in the case.
• Work closely with the Department of Social Services to establish, modify and enforce child support cases
• Prepare discovery requests and all related pleadings to send to Defense Counsel for civil child support matters
• Create and initiate new criminal, juvenile, child support, domestic violence, special victims, probation, or other assigned case files in accordance with applicable laws, court rules, office procedures and division assigned
• Manage, organize, update, and maintain complex legal case files, case lists, calendars, timelines, and case management records through final disposition
• Respond to correspondence, emails, telephone calls, electronic filings, and inquiries from attorneys, courts, law enforcement agencies, government agencies, opposing counsel, parties, witnesses, and the public
• Maintain, update, and monitor case information within multiple databases, case management systems, electronic filing systems, and court records systems
• Conduct legal and case-related research utilizing Maryland statutes, case law, court rules, charging manuals, court records, transportation articles, and related legal resources
• Prepare, organize, redact, review, and distribute discovery materials, evidence, media files, witness information, and case documentation in accordance with legal requirements and court deadlines
• Issue and coordinate subpoenas, summonses, writs, notices, and related court documents for witnesses, parties, law enforcement personnel, and incarcerated individuals
• Monitor case progression, filing deadlines, court schedules, probation requirements, discovery obligations, and other legal timelines to ensure compliance with applicable laws and court rules
• Collect, verify, analyze, and organize information and documentation from multiple sources to support legal proceedings and attorney case preparation
• Provide backup coverage for reception, front desk operations, mail processing, telephone coverage, and other administrative functions as assigned
• Provide coverage for coworkers during absences
• Participating in meetings, training, system testing activities, implementation projects, and other departmental initiatives as assigned
• Provide customer service and assistance to attorneys, court personnel, law enforcement agencies, external stakeholders, and members of the public while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism

To perform this job successfully, an employee must be able to perform all essential functions satisfactorily. Any employee's position may not be assigned all functions or equipment listed above, and the examples may not cover all functions or equipment that may be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform their essential functions.

The qualifications/requirements, knowledge/skills/abilities and physical requirements or working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Associate's degree
• Minimum of 3 years of work experience in legal office administration, court office support, clerical legal support, or related experience

Substitutions for the above-listed required education and experience are a Bachelor’s degree with 1 year work experience as described above or a High School diploma (or equivalent) with 5 years work experience that includes working in a legal office.

KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS / ABILITIES:

A successful incumbent operating in this role displays the following:

• Coordinate with the Department of Social Services, law enforcement agencies, courts, correctional facilities, probation agencies, laboratories, attorneys, employers, government agencies, and interstate partners regarding assigned cases
• Collect or review DNA specimens, coordinate genetic testing appointments, maintain chain-of-custody documentation, monitor probation compliance, and testify regarding assigned case matters when required by assignment
• Manage and coordinate court dockets and send the appropriate paperwork to all partes in the case.
• Work closely with the Department of Social Services to establish, modify and enforce child support cases
• Prepare discovery requests and all related pleadings to send to Defense Counsel for civil child support matters
• Create and initiate new criminal, juvenile, child support, domestic violence, special victims, probation, or other assigned case files in accordance with applicable laws, court rules, office procedures and division assigned
• Manage, organize, update, and maintain complex legal case files, case lists, calendars, timelines, and case management records through final disposition
• Respond to correspondence, emails, telephone calls, electronic filings, and inquiries from attorneys, courts, law enforcement agencies, government agencies, opposing counsel, parties, witnesses, and the public
• Maintain, update, and monitor case information within multiple databases, case management systems, electronic filing systems, and court records systems
• Conduct legal and case-related research utilizing Maryland statutes, case law, court rules, charging manuals, court records, transportation articles, and related legal resources
• Prepare, organize, redact, review, and distribute discovery materials, evidence, media files, witness information, and case documentation in accordance with legal requirements and court deadlines
• Issue and coordinate subpoenas, summonses, writs, notices, and related court documents for witnesses, parties, law enforcement personnel, and incarcerated individuals
• Monitor case progression, filing deadlines, court schedules, probation requirements, discovery obligations, and other legal timelines to ensure compliance with applicable laws and court rules
• Collect, verify, analyze, and organize information and documentation from multiple sources to support legal proceedings and attorney case preparation
• Provide backup coverage for reception, front desk operations, mail processing, telephone coverage, and other administrative functions as assigned
• Provide coverage for coworkers during absences
• Participating in meetings, training, system testing activities, implementation projects, and other departmental initiatives as assigned
• Provide customer service and assistance to attorneys, court personnel, law enforcement agencies, external stakeholders, and members of the public while maintaining confidentiality and professionalism

PREFERENCE MAY BE GIVEN TO:

• Work experience specifically in the legal field involving family law and/or child support matters
• Secondary language skills in Spanish
• Work experience with MDEC and MDThink
• A college degree in Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Legal, or a related field
• Work experience in a law office
• Completion of a Frederick County State's Attorney Office internship program

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/WORKING CONDITIONS:

• While working in this position, the employee is required to frequently sit; and frequently perform repetitive motions
• While working in this position, the employee is required to constantly work indoors

• Failure to meet or maintain the minimum qualifications or additional requirements may result in disciplinary action up to and including termination
• Available for varied working hours when needed to accommodate meetings or other commitments
• This position is subject to random drug testing

EXAMINATION PROCESS (may include):

1. An evaluation of training and experience
2. One or more interviews
3. A pre-employment drug test including marijuana
4. A pre-employment background investigation through the State's Attorney Office