Child Support Specialist

Salary : $58,713.24 - $88,069.87 Annually
Location : (Ramsey County Courthouse) Saint Paul, MN
Job Type: Full Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 2026-00445
Department: County Attorney
Division: HumSvcs/ChSupptPrgm
Opening Date: 09/02/2026
Closing Date: 9/17/2026 11:59 PM Central
Union: Local 8 - General County
FLSA Status: nonexempt


Position Summary
The current vacancy is in the County Attorney's Office. The eligibility list created by this vacancy may be used to hire other vacancies in the department.
This position helps to ensure the financial stability of Minnesota's families through the establishment of paternity and child support orders, the enforcement and modification of child support orders, and the collection of funds that support children and families, and perform related duties as assigned.
To view or print a copy of the complete Ramsey County job (class) description for this position, go to: Once on this page, you can browse the alphabetical list or search for a job description.
Flexible Workplace

This position is identified under the designation of 'flex work eligible', meaning that the employee can formally opt to be in-office full-time or work a flex schedule in which at least two-days per week are performed in office and other days can be performed in a remote-first environment. Regardless of selection, the position carries expectations regarding on-site responsibilities and will require schedule flexibility beyond the minimum expectations set forth in the county's flexible workplace policy. To view Ramsey County's Flexible Workplace policy, go to: Flexible Workplace policy
Examples of Work Performed

1. Review applications for child support services; determine if there is sufficient information to proceed to enforce an existing child support order or start a new court action and the appropriate jurisdiction to provide services.
2. Gather financial and confidential information through interviews with custodial and non-custodial parents; explain rights and responsibilities related to parentage and child support.
3. Locate non-custodial parents in cooperation with custodial parents and computer databases. Help establish paternity through the Recognition of Parentage process or genetic testing and legal action.
4. Determine recommendations for child support obligations based upon employment status, public assistance status, wage information, and other information, in conformity with Minnesota Child Support Guidelines and other applicable laws, under the direction of Assistant County Attorneys.
5. Prepare legal documents, including but not limited to, summons, complaints, affidavits, notices and motions, and subpoenas for review and signature by appropriate authority.
6. Manage a caseload; review information daily provided from computer interfaces and perform work required as a result; communicate with clients in person, by telephone and in writing; communicate on a regular basis with employers and other county or state staff. Research, collect, organize, and analyze information gathered to assist in determine appropriate actions.
7. Enforce court orders for the collection of basic child support, medical support, childcare support and past due child support (arrears) by monitoring payments and initiating appropriate enforcement actions, including but not limited to, income withholding, suspension of driver's licenses, seizure of bank accounts, suspension of occupational or recreational licenses, and contempt of court actions.
8. Ensure correct charging on cases by reviewing information including use of the state-wide child support and public assistance computer systems to verify and calculate balances and correct possible errors.
9. Make referrals for information and services, including self-help legal centers, community-based resources and social service agencies. Educate parents about child support process; and conduct outreach to communities in Ramsey County.

(The work assigned to a position in this classification may not include all possible tasks in this work and does not limit the assignment of any additional tasks in this classification. Regular attendance according to the position's management approved work schedule is required.)
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS : 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.
Minimum Qualifications
Education : Associate's degree.
Experience : Three years of full-time relevant clerical or client service experience, such as legal services, human services, collections, and bank teller or other financial administrative related positions or equivalent child support or public debt collection experience.
Substitutions : Equivalent combination of education and related experience.
Other: Fluent in Karen, Somali, Spanish and/or Hmong (depending on assignment).

Exam/Screening Process Information
The examination process will consist of the following section with each section weighted as indicated:

• Training and Experience Rating = 100%

The examination for Child Support Specialist will consist of a training and experience rating, comprised of the questions in the attached supplemental questionnaire. Not all applicants who meet the minimum qualifications will pass the training and experience rating. The rating on this supplemental questionnaire will depend on your answers to the questions - do not mark "see resume" or "see work history" as a response. Please answer all your questions clearly and completely. Failure to respond could affect your score and final rank on this examination.
Eligible List: The names of all applicants who have submitted a completed application and passed the examination/screening process shall be placed on the eligible list for an employment opportunity as a Child Support Specialist. This list will be certified to the appointing authority which may use this list to conduct interviews to fill a vacancy. Applicants will remain on the list for 30 days or until hired, whichever occurs first. A notice will be sent to applicants at the time the eligible list is posted.
Veteran's Preference: This is a classified position requiring an open, competitive selection process. Veteran's Preference points will be applied after a candidate passes the examination process. Applicants who are eligible for veteran's preference should update their veteran's DD214, and other supporting documents, and submit them as an attachment at the time of application.
Criminal Background Checks: All employment offers are conditioned upon the applicant passing a criminal background check. Convictions are not an automatic bar to employment. Each case is considered on its individual merits and the type of work sought. However, making false statements or withholding information will cause you to be barred from employment, or removed from employment.
E-Verify Participation: Ramsey County participates in the federal E-Verify program. This means that Ramsey County will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization. If the Government cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, Ramsey County is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact DHS and/or the SSA before taking adverse action against you, including terminating your employment. Employers may not use E-Verify to pre-screen job applicants and may not limit or influence the choice of documents you present for use on Form I-9.
Equal Opportunity Employer: Ramsey County provides equal access to employment, programs, and services without regard to race, color, creed, religion, age, sex (except when sex is a Bona Fide Occupational Qualification), disability, familial or marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity, public assistance status, place of residence, political affiliation, or national origin.
Ramsey County is deeply committed to advancing racial equity and promoting diversity and inclusion within all areas of its workforce. The county strives to be equitable, inclusive, transparent, respectful, and impactful in how we serve and engage with residents, as well as Ramsey County employees. Advancing racial equity ensures all people who need access to opportunities and services we provide will receive them. Racial equity is achieved when race can no longer be used to predict life outcomes, and outcomes for all are improved.

To print a paper application for this posting click You will need to print this posting AND answer the supplemental questions associated with this exam and submit them with your completed paper application.

For further information regarding this posting, please contact
Ramsey County provides a wide range of employee benefits to support health, well-being, and work/life balance. Benefits eligibility can vary depending on union status/contract language. A summary of benefits is provided below. Detailed information is available for review at

• Medical, dental and vision insurance
  • The County contributes a bargained percentage to the medical and dental monthly premium
  • Employees choose from four enrollment tiers: Single, Employee + legally married spouse, Employee + Child(ren), Family
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield Medical insurance - three plan options including a High Deductible Plan with a Health Saving Account offered. Earn up to $20/month in electronic gift cards for each enrolled employee or spouse for wellness activity
  • MetLife Dental Insurance - two plan options offered
  • VSP Vision Insurance - Advantage Plan offered

• Pre-tax Benefit Program
  • Pre-tax medical, dental, vision monthly premium deduction option
  • Dependent and Health Care Flexible Spending Accounts
  • County monthly contribution to a Health Savings Account for employees who elect the High Deductible medical plan

• Paid time off
  • Vacation hours, accrued based on years of service, ranging from 12 to 25 days per year (pro-rated for part-time employees)
  • 11 scheduled holidays and two floating holidays
  • Up to eight weeks of 100% paid parental leave, plus additional use of sick time as noted below
  • Sick hours accrued at a rate of three weeks per year, which can be used for medical and dental care; injury or illness for you, your spouse or children; the birth or adoption of a child (up to 80 hours) or the death of a family member (up to 40 hours)
  • Wellness incentive allows conversion of unused sick time to vacation or pay

• Retirement benefits
  • Pension - The county contributes at least 7.5% of your salary to your pension, depending on bargaining unit. Unlike other retirement investments, pension payments are a lifetime benefit once you start collecting payments
  • New employees become vested after three years. For the Police and Fire union, employees are vested after 10 years
  • Deferred compensation - 457(b) account with employer match
  • Health Care Savings Plan - all benefits-eligible employees contribute 1% of gross regular salary to a Health Care Savings Plan account for eligible health care expenses after retirement. Interest accrues tax free. County provides a scheduled contribution after five years of participation

• Transit and parking
  • Fully funded Metropass.
  • Transportation/parking expenses reimbursement account

• Employee well-being
  • Employee assistance program, including telephone counseling, financial counseling, rideshare benefits, etc.
  • Wellness programming
  • Flexible work policy with hybrid work options for eligible positions

• Life Insurance and Disability leave
  • County provided Basic Life coverage - 1x annual salary, minimum $10,000 up to a maximum of $50,000. Optional supplemental coverage available
  • Long-term Disability - County provided coverage replaces 40% of the employee's lost income after six months of disability, subject to a $5,000 monthly maximum. Option to purchase an additional 20% income replacement up to $7,500 monthly maximum
  • Short-term Disability - option to purchase 60% income replacement coverage with 30, 60 or 90-day waiting period

• Career development
  • Tuition reimbursement, up to $4,000 per year
  • Online professional development opportunities through the Learning & Development Center
  • County employment qualifies as a public service organization for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
  • Employee resource groups - help employees build connections through common bonds with colleagues

For information about Ramsey County's 2026 benefits, visit:
01


*Each applicant must complete this supplemental questionnaire as a part of the application screening process. The supplemental questionnaire will be used as a scored evaluation of your knowledge, skills and experience. Provide complete information for each question. Do not write "see resume" as it is not an acceptable answer. The experiences you indicate in your responses will be reviewed and used to determine your eligibility to move forward in the selection process. Select "yes" if you have read and understand.

• Yes
• No

02


*Select the option that best describes your highest level of completed education.

• High school diploma or GED
• Associate's Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None of the above

03


*If you indicated in the previous question that you have a degree, please describe below your field of study, the name of the school, dates of attendance/completion and type of degree. If you have other formal training and certifications related to this position, you may include that here. If you do not have a degree/college credit, please write N/A in the space below. DO NOT WRITE see resume or see application.
04


Do you have at least three years of full-time relevant clerical or client service experience, such as legal services, human services, collections, and bank teller or other financial administrative related positions?

• Yes
• No

05


Please provide information about where you gained the experience you refer to in question #4. Please provide the following information in the space below: The name of the employer you worked for; your job title; dates of employment (mo/yr to mo/yr); and whether it was full-time or part-time. If it was part-time include the number of hours you worked per week. Do not write "see resume" or "see application" If you do not have experience in this area enter "N/A" in the space below.
06


Describe your public service, client services, or customer service experience. Include the name of the employer you worked for, dates of employment, job title, and a brief description of your duties. If you do not have experience in this area type "N/A" in the space below. Do not write "see resume" or "see application".
07


Describe your experience working with computers and software programs. Include the software you have used (for example: Microsoft Office) and the functions you have experience with (for example: data entry, basic editing, creating templates, mail merges). Include the name of the employer you worked for, dates of employment, job title, and a brief description of your duties. If you do not have experience in this area type "N/A" in the space below. Do not write "see resume" or "see application".
08


This position requires basic math skills (for example: reviewing payments and balances, calculating income, and using pre-set guidelines to calculate child support). Describe your experience using math in a professional or academic setting. Include the name of the employer you worked for, dates of employment, job title, and a brief description of your duties. If you do not have experience in this area type "N/A" in the space below. Do not write "see resume" or "see application".
09


Describe your experience explaining a difficult issue or policy to a customer. This may include regulations, laws, or an office policy. Include the name of the employer you worked for, dates of employment, job title, and a brief description of your duties. If you do not have experience in this area type "N/A" in the space below. Do not write "see resume" or "see application".
10


Ramsey County is committed to building a culturally competent work environment in which employees have the skills to interact effectively and respectfully with people of cultures that are different than their own. Describe your experience interacting with diverse populations. Include the name of the employer you worked for, dates of employment, job title, and a brief description of your duties. If you do not have experience in this area type "N/A" in the space below. Do not write "see resume" or "see application".
Required Question