Intake Clerk - Domestic Relations

POSITION OVERVIEW:

This is a Court appointed position. The Intake Clerk provides specialized clerical and office support for the case initiation and day-to-day operations of the Domestic Relations Section (DRS), a branch of the Court of Common Pleas, which deals with child/spousal support issues. Work is subject to periodic changes in operating procedures and requires some adaptability. The Intake Clerk works with considerable independence within standard operating procedures; however, detailed supervisory guidance may be needed for new or unusual situations and changes in operating procedures and policies.

EDUCATION/EXPERIENCE:

Any combination equivalent to education and experience that provides the required skill and knowledge qualifies. Typical qualifications would be equivalent to:

Completion of a high school or general equivalency diploma, or

Completion of an Associate Degree Program in a related field and/or a minimum of two (2) years experience in a Domestic Relations setting, preferred

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Pre-employment drug testing;
• Act 34 (Criminal History) clearance;
• Complete PACSETI New Hire Training with six (6) months of hire to retain employment;
• Court-appointed employees are prohibited from participation in any form of partisan political activity and must acquire Court approval to obtain or maintain a “second” job

EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must have the ability to thoroughly grasp the workings of the Domestic Relations Section (DRS). The position requires the ability to give full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times; communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand; use logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems; remember information, such as words, numbers, and procedures; and, see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer). Due to the nature of the work, the DRS Intake Clerk must possess the ability to remain calm in a stressful environment.

In addition, should have knowledge of the principles and processes for providing customer and personal services; the structure and content of the English language, including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar; basic mathematics; and basic computer operations, including Windows applications and the keyboard; and operate office machines, such as a personal computer/laptop, scanner, a telephone with voice mail system, a photocopier, and a facsimile machine.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• An employee in this classification is responsible for performing assignments that are carried out in accordance with administrative and personnel practices, procedures, and precedents, specific goals and objectives, and any applicable legal standards or regulations. Specific job duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Departmental Lead on Child Support Case Creation including Local, Intercountry(IFSA) and Interstate (UIFSA) cases including,
• Interviewing Plaintiffs; Defendants; and/or Attorneys to obtain accurate information for data input
• Responsible for assignment of case and docket numbers and both working and official file creation
• Scanning/scheduling support matters for Conference Officers and Assistant Director along with mailing all required support materials such as Orders to Appear, Zoom Orders, and Orders for Earnings Reports, Health Insurance Information and Subpoena and other forms and schedules as needed
• Performs locate functions on case creation as needed
• Determination of support actions where no further legal action can be taken
• Dockets and maintains reviewing records of General Continuances from Support Conferences
• IFSA/UIFSA – under the direction of the Clerical Supervisor, the Intake Clerk is responsible for creation of the cases in the Child Support System as well as file creation. The Intake Clerk is responsible for correspondence with the other Pennsylvania County Court or the United States Court to secure that an Order for child support is reached on this case. This may involve the timely mailings of Court documents, generation of Court Orders, and additional scheduling before DRS Conference Officers.
• Paternity and Genetic Testing Coordinator – responsible for overseeing and/or administration of genetic testing (buccal swab testing) performed within the Domestic Relations Section in accordance with universal precautions and also in accordance with the Commonwealth’s contracted laboratory and issuing Court Orders after the conclusion of this testing. In addition, the Intake Clerk is the point of contact for other local, state, and federal agencies on paternity cases filed within the DRS.
• Lead for Commonwealth’s Employer Maintenance Unit
• Departmental Liaison with the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Somerset County Assistance Office to ensure that Commonwealth applications and filing requirements are met within mandated legal guidelines.
• In accordance with Somerset County Children and Youth Services and Juvenile Probation Services facilitates the initiation of Support Cases, where applicable for reimbursement of placement costs. This also involves the case creation functions listed above.
• Serves a “back-up” for Clerical Supervisor’s roles as balancing cash drawer, preparing bank deposits, posting over-the-counter payments, and other financial duties and correspondence with associated Commonwealth agencies
• Attends Contempt Hearings to assist with cash purge payments
• Monitors the Department’s Integrated Voice Response (IVR) System and directs all messages to the appropriate DRS worker
• Reviews system-generated reports on a monthly/quarterly basis as well as maintains files to ensure office procedures are followed accurately for pending actions
• Takes interoffice and USPS mail to County/Court designated areas on a rotating basis
• Assists Clerical staff, if needed, due to excessive work flow
• Maintain confidentiality of information contained with DRS case files, both hard copy and electronic;
• Attend training courses which may require the use of a personal vehicle, travel, and/or overnight stays
• Perform other duties and tasks as assigned by Supervisors or by Judges of the Court of Common Pleas.

WORK ENVIRONMENT/PHYSICAL STANDARDS:

The work environment and physical demand characteristics is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee frequently will be in contact with others (face-to-face, by telephone, or otherwise). Often, this contact will involve unpleasant, angry or discourteous individuals and result in conflict.

The employee is regularly required to sit for extended periods, keyboard, write, talk or hear; stand occasionally; lift up to thirty (30) pounds. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

This job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the exclusive standards of the position. Incumbents will follow other’s instructions, and perform any other related duties, as may be required by the Director of Domestic Relations Section or Judges of the Court of Common Pleas.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $21,424.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• 8 hour shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person