DSHS ESA Child Support Enforcement Officer 3 - Lead Worker

Salary : $5,137.00 - $6,906.00 Monthly
Location : Pierce County - Tacoma, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-04462
Department: Dept. of Social and Health Services
Division: ESA
Opening Date: 06/03/2026
Closing Date: 6/10/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step


Description
Child Support Enforcement Officer 3 - Lead Worker (Customer Service Team)

The Division of Child Support is currently seeking a permanent Support Enforcement Officer 3 professional to join our Customer Service Team located in Tacoma, WA. This is a great opportunity to expand your current skills and advance your career as a Child Support Officer within the Department.


As a Support Enforcement Officer 3 (SEO3) on the Customer Service Team, you will work in collaboration with the supervisor and fellow SEO3 to maintain accountability of Support Enforcement Technician team members by assisting with the assessment of individual and overall team performance by educating, informing and intervening when necessary. This includes serving as a trainer, auditor, researcher, and resource person promoting the success of all staff.


Additional Information:

• A flexible/hybrid schedule is an option for working in the office at least one-two days a week
• Pierce County employees are eligible to receive an Orca Card for transportation needs

Some of what you will do:

• Serve as a lead worker and provide direction and training to clerical support staff who help customers at the front counter and over the phone
• Serve as a lead worker and provide direction and training to internal and external staff who collect, establish, and enforce child support and medical obligations
• Make critical casework decisions such as initiating, preparing, signing, and serving administrative and legal support enforcement actions
• Audit work and workflow to ensure adherence to Federal and State guidelines
• Analyze, interpret, and apply State, Tribal, Federal, and International laws pertaining to the legal determination of paternity and establishment/enforcement of financial and medical child support
• Train support staff in all aspects of child support clerical duties
• Maintain technical expertise amidst constant changes in laws, policies, and procedures in order to be a resource for the team
• Assist supervisor in developing/implementing training plans and performance management plans
• Provide ongoing assistance regarding policies and procedures

What we are looking for:

• Knowledge of State statutes and Federal regulations, court decisions, paternity proceedings, accounting and collection practices, legal rights, and remedies in support enforcement
• Excellent customer service
• Experience with accounting and collection practices related to support enforcement
• Case knowledge and time management skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills and positive attitude
• Investigative and interview skills to find information from various sources
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize workload, organize, and be responsive to change

Who should apply?

Professionals with two years of experience as a Washington State Support Enforcement Officer AND one of the following:

• An additional four years of full-time debt collection or support enforcement related experience

OR

• Two years of college level coursework AND an additional two years of experience related to support enforcement, debt collection, or a related field.

OR

• A Bachelor's degree or higher level.

Interested? Apply today! Fill in the application including current contact details for three professional references and attach the following:

• A current chronological resume
• A cover letter explaining how you see the role of an SEO3 on the Customer Service Team in relation to leadership and how you, in your role as a lead worker, influence the overall productivity and morale of the team

Questions? Please contact or call Talent Acquisition main line View phone number on click.appcast.io and reference job number 04462.

The Department of Social and Health Services' (DSHS) vision that people find human services to shape their own lives requires that we come together with a sense of belonging, common purpose, shared values, and meaningful work. It is crucial to our agency's vision that you bring a fairness, access, and social justice commitment to your work with DSHS. We strive to support all Washingtonians, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, people with physical, behavioral health, and intellectual disabilities, elders, LGBTQIA+ individuals, immigrants and refugees, and families building financial security.

Supplemental Information
Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history may be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the job. This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies. Employees driving on state business must have a valid driver's license. Employees driving a privately owned vehicle on state business must have liability insurance on the privately owned vehicle.

Washington State Department of Social and Health Services is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in any area of employment, its programs or services on the basis of age, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, marital status, race, creed, color, national origin, religion or beliefs, political affiliation, military status, honorably discharged veteran, Vietnam Era, recently separated or other protected veteran status, the presence of any sensory, mental, physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability, equal pay or genetic information. Persons requiring accommodation in the application process or this job announcement in an alternative format may contact the Recruiter at View phone number on click.appcast.io. Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or View phone number on click.appcast.io.
E-Verify® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.


Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.


Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.


Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.


Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026
01


Do you have two years of experience as a Washington State Support Enforcement Officer?

• Yes
• No

02


Choose ONE from the following that BEST describes your education and/or experience:

• I have a Bachelor's degree
• I have a combination of four or more years of education and/or experience examining/processing loan applications, medical insurance or rehabilitation claims, unemployment insurance claims to support financial eligibility determination.
• Two years of college-level coursework and two additional years of experience related to child support enforcement and/or debt collection.
• None of the above applies to me

03


Where did you learn about this job with DSHS ESA?

• Careers.wa.gov
• DSHS Employee
• Community Service Office or other DSHS Lobby
• Friend/Family Member
• Social Media
• Job Fair or Resource Fair
• Virtual Open House or Information Session
• WorkSource job advertisement or Referral
• College Campus Career or Internship Center
• Physical Job Flyer
• Local Non-Profit
• Other

Required Question