This series is used by the Department of Social and Health Services to represent the agency’s interest in adjudicative and other legal proceedings involving the Office of Support Enforcement or Financial Recovery.

This is the entry level of the series. Under close supervision, represents the department’s interest in adjudicative or other legal proceedings.

Develops and maintains knowledge and expertise of case law, laws and regulations governing establishment and collection of child support, or debts due the state in connection with any DSHS program;

Represents the department's interest in adjudicative proceedings regarding the establishment and collection of financial, health care, day care and special child-rearing expenses from parents, interpretation of superior court orders, distribution of child support payments, termination of support enforcement services, compliance of third parties regarding collection and enforcement orders, and other proceedings relating to the establishment and collection of child support;

Negotiates with private attorneys, other representatives, or the appellant directly prior to adjudicative proceedings with authority to settle the matter;

Assembles documentation and appears as the department's representative/witness before an Administrative Law Judge;

Drafts and prepares legal documents including subpoenas, motions memorandums, briefs, appeals, and response to appeals for adjudicative proceedings;

Advises and recommends to Support Enforcement Officers, Financial Recovery Officers, and other personnel proper procedures according to federal and state statutory, administrative, and judicial

law regarding the administration of the support enforcement program or debts due the state in connection with public assistance;

Explains the federal and state statutes and regulations, department policies, and fee schedules, if any, to applicants, service recipients, attorneys, and other interested persons;

Reviews and may approve proposed court orders for compliance with laws regarding support and related matters;

Processes requests for review for modification of administrative and judicial support orders.

There may be instances where individual positions must have additional licenses or certification. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure the appropriate licenses/certifications are obtained for each position.

There are legal requirements to have current admission to practice law in the state of Washington.

Current admission to practice law in the state of Washington.

New class effective June 1, 2005; Claims Officer 1 - DSHS (replaces 46750 Claims Officer 1, DSHS).