Job Description

Nature of Work

Under administrative direction, this position represents children, unless otherwise provided, in matters involving paternity establishment, child support order establishment and enforcement, spousal support enforcement, and related legal proceedings. Responsibilities also include handling Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act (URESA) cases; providing public informational materials; initiating collection actions; and ensuring compliance with state and federal statutes, regulations, Child Advocate Office policy, and audit requirements.

The Child Advocate Attorney is responsible for:

• Applying federal and state mandates, codes, and policies to ensure equitable service provision to all Child Advocate Office applicants.
• Coordinating all duties performed by administrative support staff.
• Maintaining regional statistical records required for federal and state IV-D program reporting.
• Ensuring compliance with federal audit requirements through adherence to performance standards.
• Supervising and assuming full responsibility for the work and personnel of the regional office.
• Implementing a cost-effective, state-administered regional Child Advocate Office.
• Promoting operational efficiency and effectiveness.
• Publicizing program services and representing the Child Advocate Office in assigned communities.

This position may be temporarily reassigned between geographical regions. Performs related work as required.

Examples of Work

• Directly supervises and assumes responsibility for all work and personnel in assigned regional offices.
• Trains, directs, coordinates, and evaluates regional office staff.
• Provides legal representation to children in establishing paternity and enforcing family support obligations.
• Briefs legal issues as they arise in ongoing cases.
• Oversees legal and ethical training for local office staff.
• Interprets court opinions, statutes, and policies; advises administrative personnel on legal options and remedies.
• Consults on administrative rules, regulations, and policies; provides necessary supervision.
• Ensures applications for Child Advocate Office services are processed in line with policy, federal regulations, and court orders.
• Ensures compliance with regulatory and statutory requirements to meet audit standards; provides documentation and reports as needed for program oversight.
• Applies policies and procedures as defined by the Child Advocate Office in interpreting federal and state regulations.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of statutes, court opinions, Attorney General opinions, and relevant federal and state laws and policies related to child support and domestic relations.
• Knowledge of administrative law and debt collection procedures.
• Skilled in preparing and presenting child support petitions, initiating contempt proceedings, and applying creditors’ remedies in family support enforcement.
• Ability to analyze, evaluate, and organize facts and present information clearly in both oral and written formats.
• Strong communication skills.
• Proficiency in complex legal drafting and opinion writing.
• Ability to supervise and evaluate the work of subordinate staff.

Minimum Qualifications

Training: Admission to practice law in the State of West Virginia.

Experience: Two years of full-time or equivalent part-time paid experience as an attorney.

Substitution: Full-time or equivalent part-time paid professional employment with the Child Advocate Office, (including experience as a Child Advocate Office Legal Assistant) or with a child support agency for another state may substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENT: Availability of a car for continuous use is a specific requirement of employment.

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