Hearings Referee (Iv-D Child Support Referee)

Initial Posting Date:

04/11/2024

Application Deadline:

05/02/2024

Agency:

Judicial Department

Salary Range:

$9,072 - $14,074

Position Type:

Employee

Position Title:

Hearings Referee (IV-D Child Support Referee)

Job Description:

This is a part-time position (.5 FTE, 20 hours per week), and the salary range is $4,536 - $7,037 per month.

Interviews: will be scheduled within two weeks after the application deadline.

Who we are

Oregon Judicial Department (OJD) serves the public, and the people we serve may be facing challenging life circumstances, high levels of stress, or confusion about their next steps. The work you will do in this role affects members of our community who come to the court to have their cases resolved. We need people who want to impact their communities, value OJD's efforts to remove barriers to access justice services, and welcome interacting with the public.

We are committed to building a diverse, inclusive team and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We consider relevant work, lived experience, and education, plus any transferable skills and abilities that may meet our qualifications or the skills and attributes we need for this position. We welcome all candidates who are inspired by our work and mission.

Benefits to you

• We pay up to 99% of medical insurance premiums for part-time employees, including mental health coverage.

• The salary range shown in Workday is for a full-time position. The salary range for this part-time position is $4,536 - $7,037 per month, which is equivalent to $54,432 - $84,444 annually.

• 10 paid holidays, 2 floating holidays, 3 personal business days, separate sick and vacation paid leaves (prorated for part-time employees), and other employee benefits such as optional insurances and flexible spending plans.

• Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate's education and experience.

Position Highlights

The Jackson County Circuit Court in Medford, Oregon, is hiring a part-time IV-D Child Support Referee (Hearings Referee).

In this role, you will preside over child support enforcement and parentage cases that are eligible to receive funding under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, including any contempt-of-court matters and any related warrants issued. You will make impactful decisions through a collaborative, problem-solving approach for litigants and the public, rather than using a traditional, punitive style of decision-making.

Presiding judges in other judicial districts may appoint you to preside over child support enforcement and parentage cases as part of a unified child support enforcement docket project; these hearings will be conducted remotely.

Other duties include:

• Review motions and proposed orders.

• Oversee probation violation matters.

• Make findings of fact and conclusions of law.

• Draft and prepare orders and judgments.

• Review and sign other procedural child support enforcement documents.

• Assist in the development of program policies, goals, and objectives.

• Coordinate with community partners in multiple judicial districts on cases, policies, and procedures.

Assigned tasks may be changed to accommodate workload and organizational needs.

Instructions for Cover Letter and Work History/Resume

Your cover letter and work history/resume should demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications, the Special Qualifications, and the Requested Skills and Attributes, which are listed below.

Cover Letter

• Attach your cover letter (not to exceed two pages) in the Resume / Cover Letter section of the application. Your cover letter and filename should include your name.

• In the body of your cover letter, please include responses to all Requested Skills and Attributes listed below.

• Address the cover letter "To the Hiring Manager."

• Do not use a generic cover letter; please personalize your cover letter for this position. We read every letter.

• Prepare your cover letter before starting your Workday application.

Work History/Resume

• Attach your updated resume in the Resume / Cover Letter section of the application. Your resume and filename should include your name.

OR

• Complete the Job History/Work Experience portion of your Workday profile if you are not using an updated resume.

Failure to follow these instructions may result in rejection of your application. All application materials will be evaluated for consistency of information, and your letter will be evaluated for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and language use in addition to demonstrated experience.

Minimum Qualifications

(These must be evident in your resume or work history.)

The qualified candidate must have a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.

AND

Five (5) years of experience as a trial attorney in criminal, civil, or family litigation.

AND

The qualified candidate must currently be approved by the Oregon Supreme Court to sit as a Circuit Court Judge pro tempore.

OR

If not currently approved, the qualified candidate must be approved and complete the process to sit as an Oregon Circuit Court Judge pro tempore within 60 calendar days of the date of hire (additional days to complete the process may be granted to address circumstances beyond the control of the candidate).

Pro Tem Application Information

• Click here to view the eligibility requirements.

• The OJD Pro Tem Application is available here.

Special Qualifications

(These must be verifiable.)

None.

Requested Skills and Attributes

(These must be addressed in your cover letter.)

• Experience serving as a judge pro tempore for a circuit court.

• Experience communicating effectively, orally and in writing, to a variety of audiences.

• Experience with legal principles and their application in assigned matters.

• Ability to analyze situations and adopt effective courses of action.

• Ability to direct, advise, guide, and motivate others to meet goals and objectives.

Working Conditions

• This is a part-time position (.5 FTE, 20 hours per week). Our court is open 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday; this position may work a mix of mornings and afternoons, depending on the docket, to help meet the court's needs. This position is FLSA-exempt and ineligible for overtime compensation for hours worked in excess of 20 per workweek.

• Frequent contact with people from diverse backgrounds.

• Frequent contact with people who may be facing challenging life circumstances, highly stressful situations, or trauma.

• Frequent contact with attorneys during hearings pertaining to child support enforcement and contempt cases; daily contact with unrepresented litigants.

• Long periods of sitting during court proceedings.

• Regular use of: WebEx, Teams, telephone, OJD-assigned computers (desktop and laptop) with multiple monitors, copier, fax machine, and scanner.

• You must maintain active membership in good standing with the Oregon State Bar.

• The qualified candidate must start the process of CJIS clearance within the first week of hire.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Criminal Background Check

You will be subject to a criminal background check if you are a finalist. Adverse results are evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may result in disqualification if the circumstances are directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the position.

Reference Checks

By submitting your application to OJD, you consent to reference checks about your qualifications, your workplace performance, and your work product.

United States Employment Eligibility

OJD does not offer visa sponsorships. Within three days of hire, you will be required to complete the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States. OJD will use E-Verify to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States.

Future Vacancies

Apply now if you are interested in this or future vacancies. This job announcement may be used to fill future vacancies in this class of work.

Veterans' Preference

Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given preference in the recruitment process. To receive preference, veterans must attach the appropriate documentation after they receive an email in their Workday inbox requesting the information to verify eligibility. The action item, asking veterans to attach their documentation, will arrive after they have submitted their initial application materials. Visit the Oregon job opportunities Veterans web page for additional details, information, and resources.

Conduct Expectations

Because of OJD's role in providing justice and upholding the rule of law, employees of the department are required to meet the highest standards of professional conduct and ethics while on the job, and also to maintain those same high standards when taking actions in their personal lives that could reflect on the department. As an employee, you will be expected to preserve the confidentiality of information received in the course of OJD employment.

Pay Equity

As an employer, OJD complies with Oregon's pay equity law. Salary offers are made with consideration of the candidate's education and experience. For more information on pay equity, click here.

Employee Benefits

Click here to access information specific to OJD employee benefits.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

OJD is an eligible employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. To learn more about this program, and how to qualify, please click here.

Questions and Support

• If you require an alternate format to complete the application process, call 503-986-5930, or TTY: Oregon Relay Service 711 for the hearing impaired. Be prepared to describe the alternate format needed.

• Workday related information and resources are available here.

• For questions about a specific OJD job posting, call 503-986-5930 or email ojd.hrsd@ojd.state.or.us.

The Oregon Judicial Department embraces equal opportunity and affirmative action. We are committed to building a diverse team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.