Initial Posting Date:
12/06/2024Application Deadline:
01/06/2025Agency:
Judicial DepartmentSalary Range:
$9,072 - $14,074Position Type:
EmployeePosition Title:
Hearings Referee (Title IV-D Child Support Hearings Referee)Job Description:
Note: Effective January 1, 2025, the Oregon Judicial Department will implement a cost-of-living salary increase of 6.55%.
This is a part-time position (.5 FTE, 20 hours per week), and the adjusted salary range is currently $4,536 - $7,037 per month.
Interviews: We anticipate holding interviews in early- or mid-January 2025.
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.
Location Highlights
Portland, Oregon, founded in 1845 and incorporated in 1851, is the state’s largest city and the county seat for Multnomah County. It is named after Portland, Maine. It is situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers. Recreational activities include numerous museums, parks (including Forest Park, the nation’s largest wilderness park located within city limits), hiking, restaurants and food carts, Mt. Hood (about 50 miles east), and much more. The city is home to three major sports teams: the Portland Trail Blazers (NBA), the Portland Timbers (MLS), and the Portland Thorns FC (NWSL).
Position Highlights
The Multnomah County Circuit Court is hiring a part-time Title IV-D Child Support Hearings Referee (Hearings Referee) to join our team in the Child Support Services unit. This unit partners with the Department of Justice, local district attorney offices, and indigent criminal defense service providers to support the adjudication and processing of cases from the Fourth Judicial District.
In this role, you will preside over child support enforcement cases that are eligible to receive funding under Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, including any contempt-of-court matters and related warrants issued. Additionally, you will hear all Oregon Child Support Program matters filed with the circuit court such as De Novo appeals, paternity establishment, arrearages, and garnishments. You will make impactful decisions through a collaborative, problem-solving approach for litigants and families.
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.
The dockets may be handled in person or remotely, based on judicial district need.
Other duties include:
Conduct fair and impartial hearings.
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 documents.
Help develop 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 in the Resume/Cover Letter section of the application. Your cover letter and filename should include your name.
Prepare your cover letter before starting your Workday application.
Address your cover letter to the Hearings Referee Hiring Committee.
Use a font size that is at least 11 pt.
In the body of your cover letter, please fully explain why you want this position and specifically how your education and professional experience make you the best candidate for this position.
Please identify your background of work in the legal system as a practicing attorney.
Please identify specific case types/areas of law that you have had experience practicing. If you have specific experience with child support cases, please elaborate.
Use specific examples in your description to demonstrate your accomplishments.
Do not exceed 4 pages or approximately 2,000 words.
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.
The application deadline is 11:59 p.m. on the date listed above.
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.
Special Qualifications
(These must be verifiable.)
Active membership in the Oregon State Bar.
Requested Skills and Attributes
(These must be addressed in your cover letter.)
Skill in conducting quasi-judicial or administrative hearings.
Skill 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.
Commitment to the tenets of procedural fairness.
Working Conditions
This is a part-time position (.5 FTE, 20 hours per week), and the work schedule is to be determined but will typically fall between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Wednesday. This position is FLSA-exempt and ineligible for overtime compensation for hours worked in excess of 20 per workweek.
Work before or after regular courthouse hours may be required.
Hybrid work may be available at times for this position; onsite availability is required as needed. All hybrid work assignments begin, end, or change only with administrative authority approval.
Hearings Referees simultaneously maintain judicial composure, keep order in the courtroom, address and meet the needs of all persons present for respect and affirmation, and render fair and comprehensible decisions, which can be constantly stressful.
Frequent contact with people from diverse backgrounds.
Frequent phone and in-person contact with people who may be facing challenging life circumstances, highly stressful situations, or trauma, including frequent contact with litigants who are angry, upset, and confused.
Frequent contact with attorneys during hearings pertaining to child support enforcement and contempt cases.
Daily prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer, both in the courtroom and in chambers.
You must maintain active membership in the Oregon State Bar.
Regular use of: WebEx, Teams, telephone, OJD-assigned computer with multiple monitors, copier, fax machine, and scanner.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Parking
Multnomah County Circuit Court does not provide parking for the central courthouse or justice center staff. Multnomah does offer a Rideshare Rewards program that will provide $50/month for eligible employees. To be eligible, you must spend $50 or more per month on one of the following for working at the courthouse or justice center: TriMet (public transportation), Pay to Park (street or garage), or Carpool (share cost of parking). Another option is the Douglas Garage at 1835 S River Dr., Portland, OR 97204. Parking costs $165/month and is a half-mile from the courthouse and justice center.
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.