Internship Position Description
Position Title:
Paralegal Intern - Orange County Child Support Services (unpaid internship)
Name and Location of Agency/Department Requesting Intern:
Orange County Child Support Services
Santa Ana, CA 92701
Functions of Agency/Department:
Orange County Child Support Services (CSS) is an agency dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for children and families by establishing and enforcing court orders for the financial and medical support of children in an effective, efficient and professional manner.
Intern Duties/Responsibilities:
Under the supervision of the Senior Law Office Supervisor, intern receives cases that have been approved for Civil Contempt, reviews case files, and performs the following duties:
- Researches the legal authority that applies to that contempt (i.e., court orders, knowledge and notice of court order, etc.)
- Prepares the Judicial Council Forms applicable to that legal filing (contempt, proof of service, financial documents, any required pleadings)
- Sends documents to court for filing, notices to the parties
- Reviews Contempt/probation email box and replies to the parties as far as status questions regarding contempts
Under the supervision of the Senior Law Office Supervisor, intern receives cases that have been approved for Probation Violation action and performs the following duties:
- Reviews payment history
- Prepares probation violation on legal pleading
- Prepares proof of service and sends to court for filing and notices to the parties
- Maintains and monitors the Probation log to determine if a probation violation needs to be filed (if defendant is not complying with the terms and conditions of the plea agreement from the contempt)
- Reviews Appeals Notices and any documents that pertain to appeals
- Copies documents received from attorneys (regarding appeals) and prepares packet to mail to Attorney General’s office
- Orders transcripts of hearings
- Maintains and monitors Appeals logs
Educational Requirements:
We are seeking applicants with the following qualifications:
- Must be enrolled in a Paralegal Studies program (ABA accredited) and must be a second-year student in the Paralegal Studies Program
- Candidates who possess a Paralegal Certificate (ABA accredited) and those who meet the requirement pursuant to California's Business & Professions Code §6450, may also inquire
Skills, Training or Qualifications:
We are seeking applicants with the following qualifications:
- Knowledge of the principles of legal research
- Ability to apply additional knowledge gained through the paralegal program
- Familiar with legal forms and legal documents (legal pleadings, Judicial Council forms, etc.)
- Familiar with the following programs: Lexis-Nexis and Westlaw
Time Commitment:
Minimum 10 - 20 hours per week for 3 - 6 months. Hours must be scheduled during regular business hours (Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.). Applicants able to schedule the maximum hours/duration listed for this internship typically gain a more in-depth experience.
Required Background Screening:
Prior to placement, applicants must undergo a background check that includes live scan fingerprinting. A Social Security number and a valid driver's license or state-issued photo identification are required to process the background screening. Background investigations may take one - two weeks to process.
Benefits Available to Intern:
Although this is an unpaid internship that does not lead to permanent employment, students and recent graduates are offered an excellent opportunity to:
- Fulfill college/university internship requirements
- Apply skills and knowledge acquired in an academic setting to the workplace
- Learn and/or apply research skills in a government setting
- Network in their fields of interest with professionals who are dedicated to making a positive difference in Orange County
- Build resumes/work history and explore career options
