Child Support Attorney

Status: Full Time, ExemptStarting Wage Range: $45.94/hr. - $50.63/hr. Department/Shift: Child Support Position Open Until Filled - Application Review Date: August 14, 2026Please submit Resume and Cover Letter with application Monday - Friday: 8:00am - 4:30pm

Dodge County offers a generous benefits package including:

• Paid Time Off (PTO) - available for use after 30 days of employment
• 10 observed paid holidays
• Health, Dental, Vision Insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) - with employer contributions - HRA
• Life insurance, Long-term disability, Short-term disability and Flex spending
• Participation in the Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) - an exceptional pension plan with employer match (upon vesting) and lifetime retirement payment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Advises and represents the Child Support Agency in child support and paternity cases.
2. Appears in Court on behalf of the State of Wisconsin for establishment/revision hearings, pro-se motion hearings, contempt hearings, paternity establishment hearings, and warrant hearings.
3. Drafts legal documents in cases involving Child Support establishment, revision, and enforcement.
4. Acts to enforce, establish, and revise support orders in divorce, paternity, action to compel, foster care, and interstate cases.
5. Provides guidance to the child support staff as it relates to legal procedures in the establishment and enforcement of child support-related matters in relationship to Federal regulations and State statutes.
6. Consults and collaborates with the Child Support Director concerning changes in Federal regulations and State statutes affecting child support policies and their interpretations and implications for the Agency.
7. Conducts training within the Child Support Agency as requested by and in collaboration with the Child Support Director.
8. Makes recommendations to the Child Support Director concerning operational efficiencies within the Agency.
9. Reviews legal documents prepared by support staff to ensure accuracy and completeness.
10. Prepares referral documents to the District Attorney's office to prosecute criminal non-support cases and provides support during criminal prosecutions.
11. Provides information to custodial/non-custodial parents on procedures concerning establishment and enforcement of child support orders.
12. Consults with other legal counsels, out of state child support agencies, and private attorneys regarding child support issues.
13. Maintains current knowledge of the law by continual review and research of evolving case law and changes in State statutes, federal regulations and policies as it relates to child support matters.
14. Advises staff engaged in administrative enforcement of Child Support orders, establishing, revising, and enforcing support orders, and interviewing/providing information to parents.
15. Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED JOB COMPETENCIES

• Knowledge of law/legal principles related to the establishment of paternity and the enforcement, establishment and revision of child support in divorce, paternity, action to compel, foster care, and interstate cases.
• Knowledge of judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Knowledge of methods, materials, practices, and references utilized in legal research.
• Ability to analyze, appraise and organize facts, evidence, testimony and law and to present such material in clear and logical form.
• Ability to present and competently argue cases in court.
• Knowledge, skill, and ability to understand and use legal terminology, legal format, and processes.
• Knowledge of Wisconsin Statutes and ongoing statutory changes, procedural changes, and form changes.
• Skill to take notes and accurately incorporate essential details in preparing legal documents.
• Ability and skill to prepare Court documents in a timely and accurate manner.
• Knowledge and ability to enter and/or retrieve data in the State of Wisconsin Kids Information Data System (KIDS), and other systems, such as, but not limited to, CARES/CWW, DOT, CCAP, CCAP e-Filing, DWD, WiKIDS, and various state department policy and procedures.
• Ability to obtain information and guidelines from the Department of Children and Families-Bureau of Child Support Resource page.
• Ability and skill to prepare Court documents in a timely and accurate manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain accurate records of assigned activities and operations.
• Ability to interpret and implement local policies and procedures; written instructions, general correspondence; Federal, State, and local regulations.
• Skill in organizational and time management to prioritize duties to accomplish a high volume of work product while adapting to constant changes in priority.
• Ability to perform detailed work accurately and independently in compliance with stringent time limits requiring minimal direction and supervision.
• Ability to think quickly, maintain self-control, and adapt to stressful situations.
• Knowledge of current office practices and procedures and knowledge of the operation of standard office equipment and software.
• Knowledge of computer software including word processing, spreadsheet and database applications consistent for this position.
• Ability to perform mathematical calculations required of this position.
• Ability to communicate clearly, concisely and effectively in English in both written and verbal form.
• Skill in researching and understanding complex written materials.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
• Ability to apply sound judgment and discretion in performing duties, resolving problems and interpreting policies and regulations.
• Ability to communicate detailed and often sensitive information effectively and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to handle sensitive interpersonal situations calmly and tactfully.
• Ability to maintain professionalism at all times.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with individuals within and outside the organization.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and discretion regarding business-related files, reports and conversations, within the provisions of open records laws and other applicable State and Federal statutes and regulations.

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

• This work requires the occasional exertion of up to 25 pounds of force; work regularly requires sitting, frequently requires standing, speaking or hearing, using hands to handle or feel and repetitive motions and occasionally requires walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling and reaching with hands and arms.
• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.
• Work requires preparing and analyzing written or computer data and observing general surroundings and activities.
• Work is generally in a moderately noisy office setting.
• May require dealing with persons who are hostile or aggressive, posing threatening conditions.

Dodge County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page: Accessibility Accommodation for Applicants

Doctorate of Law (required)

2 years: Work experience in a law firm or governmental legal office. (preferred)
Hearing or trial experience preferred. (preferred)
Experience in family law, guardianships and/or civil law preferred. (preferred)
Must successfully pass IRS and criminal background check. (required)
Juris Doctorate degree and licensed to practice law in the State of Wisconsin. (required)