Family Law Manager
- Summary
The responsibilities of this classification include the overall management of the Family Law Facilitator, Early Resolution Case Manager (ERCM), and the Protection Order/Weapons Surrender programs as well as Commissioner support staff. The incumbent manages, trains, and provides legal advice to ERCM attorneys who provide self-represented (pro se) parties with assistance and direction through the court process; and manages the administrative and case flow aspects of operations, fee system, and staffing of the Family Law Facilitator, ERCM and PO/Weapons Surrender programs. The incumbent provides consultation and training to incoming judges, staff attorneys, and program staff. The incumbent develops and implements policies and procedures for the programs. This position provides direct supervision and manages subordinate supervisors.
WHO MAY APPLY: This position is open to all qualified applicants.
Additional materials required: Please include a writing sample (No more than 2 pages), resume, and cover letter describing how you meet or exceed the requirements of this position. These materials are supplemental to your application. You must still completely fill out the online application with your relevant education and work experience. Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you include relevant information only on your resume or cover letter, or if you reference “see resume” on your application.
Please note that you can attach multiple documents to your application. Your options are:
- Copy and paste one or more documents into the text resume section of the application.
- Attach multiple documents/files in the attachment section.
WORK LOCATION AND SCHEDULE: This position has responsibilities between the King County Courthouse, the Clark Children and Family Justice Center in Seattle, and the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. This position is exempt from the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, and is not overtime eligible. The work week is normally Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Job Duties
The following duties are not intended to represent the entire functional capacity of the position at the task level.
- Responsible for the management and operation of the Facilitator Program at all courthouse sites. Oversee all case flow management and records. Establish guidelines for processing pro se cases in Unified Family Court. Review, streamline, and simplify processes used to better serve the public. Oversee fee collection system for program services.
- Assess and recommend processes to best facilitate a resolution to pro se litigants, focusing on resolution early in the process. Responsible for appraising the mechanisms used to move litigants through domestic cases, and recommending program access and process improvements. Evaluate the effectiveness of the methods employed to assist pro se litigants.
- Provide legal oversight and legal review of program attorneys' work. Determine work assignments and schedules. Determine coverage for Family Law Operations, pre-trial calendars, status conference/non-compliance (show cause), Weapons Surrender calendar, and volunteer attorneys. Provide legal advice, consultation, and training to program attorneys.
- Review and evaluate Protection Order/Weapons Surrender calendars and process. Oversee budget, training development, and statistical tracking.
- Recruit, select, train, and supervise employees. Evaluate performance and provide coaching, feedback, and corrective action for performance issues. Interpret policies and procedures, and resolve conflicts. Routinely review employee work procedures and work products. Train employees and allocate resources. Ensure compliance with program policies and procedures.
- Oversee changes to policies and procedures consistent with changes to state and local rules. Establish guidelines, templates, checklists, and other resources to increase standardization and efficiencies in creating court documents in Title 26 actions. Interpret statutes and court rules and respond to changes that impact the information and services provided by the program. Assist stakeholders and the public regarding case information, rules, policies, and procedures.
- Plan and implement training protocols for incoming judicial officers; respond to their needs on family law cases as needed.
- Manage the ongoing improvement and presentation of the Family Law Orientation, a mandatory seminar for pro se parties in Title 26.09 actions.
- Develop and review fee structure based on established criteria to support program operations. Oversee the administration of the family law budget; monitor and approve pro se fee adjustments and pro se fee waivers.
- Take an active leadership role in establishing working relationships with the community and internal groups. Facilitate communication with other agency jurisdictions, the public, and judicial officers. Participate in special projects related to cross-departmental and inter-agency collaboration.
- Staff various committees and facilitate communication and interaction between the department/program and the public, judicial officers, staff, attorneys, and inter-county and outside agencies.
- Perform other duties of a similar nature and level.
- Experience, Qualifications, Knowledge, Skills
QUALIFICATIONS: Law degree, active membership in good standing in the Washington State Bar Association, and five years of relevant experience in family law or dependency, including at least three years of supervisory experience. Experience in domestic violence, substance abuse, child abuse/neglect, and mental health issues is required. Experience in negotiating and adult training, and training in mediation is highly desired.
Knowledge of current case law, statutes, federal and state laws, court rules, and rules of professional conduct applicable to family law matters; family social work principles, issues of domestic violence, substance abuse, child abuse, and neglect, and emotional/psychological disorders; and principles and practices of adult training.
Able to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Able to independently draft Family Law motions. Skill in interpreting and explaining policy and law to both program staff and the public. Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with program staff, volunteers, attorneys, parties, judges, court staff, and diverse professionals in a highly-charged emotional setting. Skill in presenting to groups and committees. Skill in working with diverse populations with cultural sensitivity. Able to independently research, analyze, interpret, explain, and apply pertinent laws, rules, regulations, policies, and guidelines. Able to work independently without legal supervision.
Able to use personal computer and Microsoft Office programs. Knowledge of and ability to learn specialized software applications. Able to use a computer and related software for the completion of work duties and to conduct research.
- Supplemental Information
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Finalists must successfully pass a criminal background check and reference check. A valid Washington State Driver’s License and the ability to travel throughout the County are required for employment.
As of December 6, 2021, King County Superior Court employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Your response to questions regarding your vaccination status will be reviewed as part of the Superior Court's hiring process.SELECTION PROCESS: Application materials will be screened for qualifications and the most competitive candidates will be invited for interviews.
UNION MEMBERSHIP: This position is not represented by a union.
King County Superior Court is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer
No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class. Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay, or other forms of compensation.
If you have questions regarding this position, please call King County Superior Court Human Resources at (206) 477-1536.
King County offers a highly-competitive compensation and benefits package designed to meet the diverse needs of our employees and support our employees' health and well-being. Eligible positions receive the following benefits and have access to the following programs:
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage: King County pays 100% of the premiums for eligible employees and family members
- Life and disability insurance: employees are provided basic coverage and given the opportunity to purchase additional insurance for both the employee and eligible dependents
- Retirement: King County employees are eligible to participate in a pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems and a 457(b) deferred-compensation plan
- Transportation program and ORCA transit pass
- 10 paid holidays each year (plus 2 personal holidays)
- Generous vacation and paid sick leave
- Paid parental leave, family and medical leaves, and volunteer leave
- Flexible Spending Account
- Wellness programs
- Onsite gyms and activity centers
- Employee giving program
- Employee assistance programs
- Flexible schedules and telecommuting options, depending on position
- Training and career development programs
This is a general description of the benefits offered to eligible King County employees, and every effort has been made to ensure its accuracy. If any information on this document conflicts with the provisions of a collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the CBA prevails. Also, in the event of any incorrect information in this document, applicable laws, policies, rules, CBAs, or official plan documents will prevail.
NOTE: Benefits for Term Limited Temporary (TLT) or Short Term Temporary (STT) positions, including leave eligibility and/or participation in the pension plan through the Washington State Department of Retirement Systems, will vary based upon the terms and details of the position. Short Term Temporary positions are not eligible for an ORCA transit pass.
For inquiries about the specifics of this position, please contact the recruiter identified on this job posting.
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01How much experience do you have as a supervisor or manager evaluating staff work performance and developing performance plans?
- None
- Less than one year
- One year – less than two years
- Two years – less than three years
- Three years or more
02Please describe your skills in working with diverse populations with cultural sensitivity.03How years of experience do you have with Microsoft Office programs?- None
- Two to three years
- Less Than one year
- Four to five years
- More than six years
04Do you have a law degree, active membership in good standing in the Washington State Bar Association, and five years of relevant experience in family law or dependency, including at least three years of supervisory experience?- Yes
- No
05We appreciate your interest in this very important role. Please confirm that you are aware of the requirement to attach a writing sample (No more than 2 pages), resume, and cover letter with details that explain your qualifications as related to this position.- Yes, I understand the requirement and have attached a resume and cover letter.
- Not Applicable
Required Question