Attorney Negotiator - Bilingual/Spanish (Domestic Violence Division) Job in Washington, DC

Vacancy No. DVU-2025-0001 Department District of Columbia Courts
Salary $117,962.00 to $153,354.00 Grade 13 to 13
Perm/Temp Permanent FT/PT Full-time
Open Date 10/15/2024 Close Date 10/29/2024
Job Link Apply Online Who may apply Public
Locations:
Washington, DC


Summary

The Domestic Violence Division Bilingual Attorney Negotiator reviews cases, interviews litigants, identifies issues, and negotiates issues related to civil protection orders, custody, visitation, financial support, child support and distribution of property, using alternative dispute resolution techniques and skills. The Bilingual Attorney Negotiator reports directly to the Director and assists in the supervision of the Domestic Violence Division.

This job is open to

Clarification from the agency

United States Citizens or individuals lawfully admitted for permanent residency or authorized by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service to work in the United States.

Duties

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES:

  • Reviews cases, interviews litigants, identifies legal issues, and negotiates and drafts proposed orders for judicial consideration including: custody, visitation, distribution of property, property damage, counseling, and child support
  • Negotiates domestic violence issues
  • Reviews calendar to determine cases available for negotiation
  • Explains the impact of laws and statues pertaining to domestic violence, criminal, civil, and domestic relations issues
  • Conducts legal research and prepares memorandum of law
  • Monitors and tracks changes in legislation that impact the domestic violence division
  • Reviews civil and criminal matters related to domestic violence cases to assist judicial officers and other stakeholders
  • Conducts training on domestic violence for employees, judicial officers, outside agencies, schools, and other interest groups

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

  • DC Court Policy 1060.VI. applies to this position.
  • Background and security investigation are required.
  • A probationary period of one (1) year must be successfully completed.
  • Must speak, interpret, read and write English and Spanish fluently.

To qualify for this position, the following must be submitted:

  1. Resume
  2. Completed Vacancy Questionnaire
  3. Documentation /Proof of Education (e.g. copy of law degree or law school transcript)
  4. List of three (3) professional references
  5. Proof of D.C. Bar Membership
  6. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Certification


All required documentation must be received by the closing date of the announcement.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION: Graduation from an accredited university or college with a law degree, admission to practice law before the Courts of the District of Columbia plus at least three (3) years of Domestic Violence practice with experience in Family Law preferred, and at least one (1) year of experience in Alternative Dispute Resolution (i.e. mediation, arbitration, negotiations, and/or case evaluation). Specific alternative dispute resolution training may substitute for one (1) year of ADR experience.

Ability to speak, interpret, read and write Spanish and English fluently is required.


Must submit documentation of education (copy of law degree) with your application or your application will not be considered. Must attach active bar identification number at the time your application is submitted. 

DC Court Policy 1060.VI. - Practice of Law: Judges, Magistrate Judges, law clerks, judicial administrative assistants, and non-judicial employees shall not engage in the practice of law while employed by the District of Columbia Courts.  Notwithstanding this prohibition, an employee may act pro se and may, without compensation, give legal advice to and draft or review documents for a member of one’s family.

The incumbent should be an enthusiastic and engaged professional who enjoys working with a diverse group of Court personnel and customers and lives the DC Courts’ values of Accountability, Excellence, Fairness, Integrity, Respect, and Transparency.

Please note that authorization for the release of your adult criminal record revealing any convictions and forfeitures, and any criminal cases currently pending before the courts are required.  If you are selected for the position, a criminal history records check will be conducted.  

Education

To qualify based on education, upload a copy of your college transcript or degree. The transcript must show the name of the college or university, your name, list of courses with credit hours, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking.

Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for District of Columbia Courts employment.  You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.  

Foreign Education: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must upload a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript at time of application to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/

Additional information

This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive Federal civil service.

Please note there is a mandatory one year probationary period for all new court employees.

All required information must be received by the vacancy announcement closing date.

Benefits

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

This is not a federal position.

The District of Columbia Courts is an independent branch of the District of Columbia Government and is not under the authority of the City Mayor or the D. C. Council. DC Courts' appropriation comes directly from Congress. All DC Courts non-judicial employees receive federal benefits for the following programs:  Life Insurance, Retirement Benefits, Health Insurance and Workers Compensation.

Please click on the following for more information about these benefits:

http://www.opm.gov/Insure/health/enrollment/new_employees.asp

The DC Courts leave policy is as follows:

Annual Leave:  New full-time employees earn four (4) hours of annual leave biweekly. After three years of service this increases to six (6)hours biweekly, and at 15 years it increases to eight(8)hours biweekly. Most military, federal and District of Columbia government service counts toward the time required to go into the next higher annual leave category. Employees can carry over no more than 240 hours of annual leave into the next leave year.

Sick Leave is used for personal medical needs, care of a family member, or adoption related purposes. Full-time employees earn four(4)hours of sick leave biweekly. This leave can be accrued without limit.

In addition to the federal health plans, the DC Courts offer employees supplemental vision and dental plans as well as a commuter transit benefit subsidy, for a maximum of $150 a month. There are 26 pay periods in the year.

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.

How You Will Be Evaluated

You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.

Upon receipt of your complete application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure that you meet the minimum qualification requirements.  Answers submitted in the questionnaire must be supported on your resume.

Your resume must reflect the relevant experience and that you meet the minimum qualifications or your application will not be considered.


You may preview questions for this vacancy.

Required Documents

  1. Resume
  2. Completed Vacancy Questionnaire
  3. Documentation /Proof of Education (e.g. copy of law degree or law school transcript)
  4. Proof of D.C. Bar Membership
  5. List of three (3) professional references
  6. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Certification

If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:

Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.

How to Apply

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account.  Follow the prompts to complete the vacancy questionnaire. Afterward, click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.

Agency contact information

S.Juarez
Address
District of Columbia Courts
Moultrie Building
500 Indiana Avenue, NW
Washington, District of Columbia 20001
United States
Learn more about this agency

Next steps

Once your completed application is received, the qualified candidates will be referred to the hiring manager for further consideration and possible interview. All applicants will be notified of the final outcome.


Note: We cannot accept applications on behalf of Federal Agencies. Application instructions are listed within the Job Description.


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