Self-Help Director

 The Self-Help Director is responsible for the development and day-to-day operation of the Placer Court’s robust program assisting self-represented individuals. The Self-Help Center provides out-of-court procedural assistance to parties, particularly in family law, CARE Court, unlawful detainer, and probate cases. The Court’s program also provides in-courtroom support in non-criminal cases by drafting restraining orders upon a judge’s order and meeting with parties in family law to outline procedural next steps. The Self-Help Director is also responsible for the Court’s family law settlement services program where they, along with the Self-Help Attorney, assist self-represented parties seek resolutions in family law cases, through settlement.  If you are looking for a meaningful, interesting and challenging career, that comes with an excellent compensation package, consider applying to be part of Placer Superior Court legal services team!

Under limited direction of the Chief Operating Officer or the Court Executive Officer, the Self-Help Director develops, plans, organizes, coordinates, implements and administers the activities of the Self-Help Center and Self-Help programs, and provides, or delegates the provision of, services mandated by Family Code §10000-10015, and CA Rule of Court 10.960.  The incumbent provides services to litigants not represented by counsel; does not establish an attorney-client relationship or represent a litigant; provides technical, policy, and program expertise; supervises staff in all locations Self-Help services are provided; and performs other related duties as assigned.

EMPLOYMENT AT WILL

The Self-Help Director classification is established as an “at-will” position and, as such, the incumbent serves at the pleasure of the Court Executive Officer.  The Court Executive Officer has the right to terminate the employment of any incumbent in this position at any time, with or without advanced notice, and with or without cause. 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

The Self-Help Director is a single management-level classification that performs all related functions in the overall management and operations of the court’s Self-Help Center, self-help program(s), official Family Law Facilitator functions (may be delegated and overseen), and/or other programs and/or services offering assistance to litigants.  The classification is a member of the court’s senior management team and provides leadership and supervision to attorneys, paralegals, and clerical support staff.

The Self-Help Director is distinguished from the Self-Help Attorney by the management, supervision, and overall responsibility for the self-help programs compliance mandated by with CA Rule of Court 10.960 and the court’s self-help and/or litigant assistance programs.

JUDGMENT AND RESPONSIBILITY

Incumbents have full supervisory and first level management responsibilities for other employees.  Incumbents perform most duties independently under administrative direction where clear policies, procedures, and standards may not always be available or may be very general in nature.  Incumbents are required to make decisions that may have multiple alternative solutions.   Incumbents must therefore exercise considerable discretion with respect to assignments and duties.  Errors in work or judgment could result in inefficient operational areas and possible litigation against the Court.

The Court reserves the right to assign or reassign duties as required to achieve business and operational objectives.  The essential functions listed below are considered standard duties of this position and, if/when assigned, must be accomplished effectively and efficiently. These essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assumes full management responsibility for all services and activities within assigned area of responsibility; implements, directs, and evaluates program needs to support the Court's goals and objectives; and deploys staff to assure essential services are provided on a county-wide basis; and has direct contact with litigants; develops, recommends, and implements program policy.
• Oversees existing programs; develops and implements new approaches to serve self-represented parties; plans, implements, and administers self-help services and ensures Family Law Facilitator’s Office program activities are consistent with applicable statute; develops and implements operational policies and procedures consistent with Court policy and rules.
• Recruits, trains and supervises attorneys, paralegals, law clerks, staff, interns, and volunteers in the Self-Help Center and Family Law Facilitator’s Office programs and services.
• Designs and conducts clinics/classes for litigants unrepresented by counsel for the purpose of enabling the litigants to self-represent in their civil, probate or family law case.
• Develops and implements the program budgets; researches and applies for grants; monitors and meets grant requirements.
• Produces information and resource materials for all case types to assist the public in understanding issues and resolution options; provides educational materials to the public, for example: documenting the process of establishing parentage and establishing, modifying, and/or enforcing child and spousal support in the courts.
• Develops and provides direct services to litigants referred by the Court or seeking assistance, including:

• Meeting with litigants to mediate issues of child support, spousal support, property control and division, and maintenance of health insurance.
• Preparing support calculations using commonly used software and online resources.
• Preparing formal orders and judgments consistent with the Court’s announced order in cases where both parties are unrepresented.

• Provides direct one-on-one legal assistance to self-represented litigants in family law, civil, and probate cases.
• Serves as a settlement officer to facilitate settlement discussion with litigants. 
• Creates and delivers educational and community outreach programs and identifies community and other resources related to self-help program services or helpful to Self-Help litigants. 
• Acts as a liaison with legal partners to develop services for Self-Help programs including but not limited to those provided by community; legal-aid services, law schools, pro bono workshops, and other resources.
• Provides referrals to the local child support agency, family court services, and other community agencies and to resources that provide services for parents and children.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with judicial officers, court staff, other governmental agencies, and community service agencies.
• Helps develop and implement creative use of technology in meeting the needs of self-represented parties.
• Oversees the accuracy and quality of information and materials disseminated to the public.
• Reviews changes in legislation, substantive laws, rules, and other legal issues related to areas of oversight.
• May serve as a temporary judge on an as needed basis.
• May travel to various facilities with Placer County and/or adjacent counties.
• Attends, participates, and represents the Court in professional committees, organizations, and meetings; and stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of self-help administration.

• Family Law matters including mediation techniques and approaches.
• General civil procedure and the mechanics and dynamics of civil litigation, including but not limited to: rules of jurisdiction and venue, pre-filing requirements, statutes of limitation, pleading and demurrers, service of process and defaults, discovery methods and discovery disputes, summary judgment, trial and pretrial procedures, and provisional remedies such as preliminary injunctions.
• Small Claims Court rules and procedures.
• Unlawful Detainer rules and procedures.
• Probate rules and procedures, including estates, trusts, guardianships and conservatorships.
• Litigant assistance program requirements and policies, including legal aid and legal assistance service requirements.
• Provisions of civil, probate and family law codes, legal processes, and California Rules of Court.
• Family Law resources, referral services, and support software programs.
• Principles, practices, methods, and materials of legal research and analysis.
• Legal terms, procedures, forms, and documents.
• California Rules of Court, Government Code and other statues related to court process.
• Relevant federal and state laws and regulations related to assigned case types.
• Trial and hearing procedures, and rules of evidence.
• Child support law and the operations of the uniform state child support guidelines; child support establishment and enforcement process under Title IV-D of the federal Social Security Act. 
• Basic understanding of law and psychological issues related to domestic violence, addiction, trauma, and mental illness.

• Program and policy development and implementation.
• Principles and practices of effective management and supervision; including personnel management, budgetary practices, training, and supervision of subordinates.
• Administrative principles and methods, including goal setting, short and long-term planning and problem solving; analytical methods and techniques.
• Superior Court policies, procedures, commonly used forms, and state and local rules and forms.

• Read and understand complex legal information, procedures, and forms.
• Analyze a variety of information, relate it to the law, and reach decisions.
• Effectively explain complex legal issues and procedures to self-represented litigants who may have little or no knowledge of the law; and assist self-represented parties to reach agreements in contested matters.
• Prepare concise, ‘Plain English’ written instructions and materials for litigants.
• Effectively and efficiently use relevant computer applications and word processing software.
• Interpret, apply, and present statistical information related to the program.
• Set priorities and complete projects in a timely manner.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in written form; Read, write, and speak standard English and use correct English grammar, spelling, and punctuation. 
• Remain patient, calm and professional while working with individuals who are in highly stressful situations. 
• Adapt quickly to changes in policies, procedures, assignments, and work locations; Work under the pressure of deadlines, conflicting demands, and emergencies.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of their work. 
• Work independently and use independent judgment. 
• Analyze situations and resolve problems.
• Make oral presentations to groups; develop, coordinate, and conduct workshops. 
• Maintain confidential information when required by legal or ethical standards. 
• Plan, organize, administer and coordinate projects and operations consistent with policies and goals; Identify the need for and recommend changes to work operations.

• Supervise, plan, train, review work, direct, and evaluate work of staff and/or interns.
• Deal tactfully, work cooperatively and professionally, and communicate effectively with diverse members of the public, members of the Bar, Court personnel and the Bench in order to obtain and disseminate information.

The standard qualifications for this classification are listed below; however, any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities and the ability to perform the essential functions may qualify. 

Graduation from an accredited law school and an active member of the California State Bar in good standing;

AND

Five (5) years' experience in the practice of law, which must include substantial family law practice experience including litigation and/or mediation, preferably in a court environment. Experience supervising attorneys and/or paralegals, and/or providing self-help services is strong desired.

Reasonable accommodation may be available to a qualified individual with a disability if it enables them to perform the essential functions of this classification. If reasonable accommodation is required to participate in the recruitment process or to perform any of the functions and related tasks assigned or which may be assigned, please contact the Human Resources Division.

This document is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by individuals assigned to this job classification.  It is not intended to provide an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities of personnel in all divisions and/or a location so classified, nor is it intended to limit the authority of supervisors or managers to assign or direct the activities of employees.

Salary : $110,219 - $145,142