(Internal Only) Domestic Relations Office - Dro Legal Engagement Officer

Acceptable Experience and Education

Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, or related field from an accredited university or college with at least three (3) years’ work experience in casework, family law or directly related experience; 

 Or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

 Certificates, Licenses, and Other Requirements

Must have or obtain by date of hire a valid driver's license applicable to job responsibilities, with a driving record acceptable to the County of El Paso;

In order to access into the County’s network and systems, a personal smart device is required by the hire start date. 

Essential Duties

Interviews and instructs probationers on reporting requirements; opens and maintains probationer files; monitors, identifies and locates persons not complying with orders for child support or access and possession; assesses probationers; meets with probationers; completes reports;

 Completes court ordered terms of probation after enforcement has been ordered; collects and monitors payments and fees; brings cases back into paying status using phone calls, mail; all administrative remedies available; locates possible home or work addresses and conducts field visits;

Researches and analyzes pay and other records and uses administrative remedies in an effort to bring non-custodial parents into compliance with court orders; conducts settlement negotiations with parents to obtain agreed settlements; 

 Enforces delinquent orders using phone calls, mail, and other administrative remedies; refers cases to Legal if unable to return case to paying status or negotiate a payout agreement;

 Identifies and locates victims of non-compliance to achieve compliance;

 Provides customer service to the general public and staff concerning child support enforcement, fee questions, State Disbursement Unit and Attorney General inquiries, court order interpretations and other general information; provides information on the telephone, meets with walk-in customers and appointments, opens and responds to mail and fax inquiries, and provides pay records to customers and other appropriate parties;

 Creates and maintains case records and documents activities pertaining to persons on probation under compliance orders; maintains accurate and timely movement of documentation pertaining to compliance with orders; collects and maintains statistics for reports; 

Conducts settlement conferences with parties; attempts to obtain settlement agreements with involved parties in order to avoid litigation; informs respondents of possible consequences of litigation;

 Monitors all orders and initiates enforcement proceedings automatically if child support order goes delinquent; pulls and prepares case files and other applicable files for assessment; reviews files for court activity and order history; reviews and participates in court orders for enforceability;

Performs audits on accounts to determine child support arrears; updates data bases with correct data; monitors collection letters for responses within allowable time frames; refers non-responsive parents to attorneys for litigation; processes requests for case closure, including performing final audit, mailing notices to each parent, and securing emancipation from schools;

 Performs complex financial transactions based on higher level security within the Office of the Attorney General computer system;

 Attends court hearings; provides court testimony; makes recommendations for court action necessary to achieve compliance;  

Participates in efforts to provide community education and information regarding parent-child issues; prepares parties for mediation; 

Serves as an advocate for children and persons affected by non-compliance with orders of child support and/or access and possession; 

Provides self-representation assistance; 

Processes county order on denial of access and possession; 

Assigns Fatherhood classes; 

 Substitutes, if assigned, during temporary absences by performing delegated duties sufficient to maintain continuity of normal operations; 

Commits self to providing excellent customer service and demonstrate commitment through cooperative team and individual efforts; and

 Creates a high-quality work culture through participation in and emphasis on training and mentoring to develop leadership, management, and technical skills in self and all employees, including safety related training and skills.

 Other Important Duties*

Performs such other related duties as may be assigned. 

As members of the County of El Paso Emergency Response System, all El Paso County employees are designated as Disaster Service Workers during a proclaimed emergency and may be required to train on emergency response and/or perform certain emergency services at the direction of their supervisor. 

Summary of Position

The DRO Legal Engagement Officer under general supervision monitors compliance with court orders for child support and access to and possession of children.

Organizational Relationships

Reports to:    DRO Legal Engagement Supervisor

Directs:          This is a non-supervisory position .

Other:            Has frequent contact with other county employees, law enforcement personnel, defendants, witnesses, defendant’s families, other public agencies, schools and the general publics.

Minimum Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of: criminal and civil law; family code; County, principles and practices of case management; principles and techniques of alternative dispute resolution; coaching principles, practices and techniques; policies, practices, procedures and legal terminology related to court system; Federal, State, Local and County applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines; office practices and procedures; business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation; the use and care of office equipment; procedures and methods including computer keyboard operation; excel; English usage, grammar, punctuation and spelling; techniques for effective interpersonal communications. Skill/Ability to:  Conduct systematic research to resolve problems; reason and make judgments and decisions; work effectively and courteously under stressful circumstances; deal effectively with potentially hostile and aggressive individuals; manage time well, perform multiple tasks and organize diverse activities; problem-solve and make decisions; research techniques in manual and automated form; interview clients; negotiate and develop payment agreements; prepare clear and concise reports; to operate a personal computer and various software applications; make sound decisions; develop, establish and maintain filing systems; independently plan and complete information; conduct mediations; compute fees; communicate effectively, both orally and in writing; and establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with those contacted during the course of work; speak effectively in English and Spanish.

• Demonstrate regular and reliable attendance;
• Work well with others and participate fully in a team oriented environment;
• Interface with other employees and customers in a courteous and respectful manner;
• Maintain strict confidentiality;
• Project positive support of their department and all county organizations at all times; and,
• Maintain and enhance the County’s commitment to customer service excellence.