Child Support Specialist

Job Title

Performs complex legal work to establish and enforce child and medical support orders following administrative codes and statutory guidelines. Communicates and coordinates with partnering agencies which provide case management, employment oriented services and parenting activities to noncustodial parents. Monitors and tracks referrals to partnering agencies. Prepares and submits reports to evaluate the effect of employment service provision on the reliability of child support.

Essential Duties

Determines and negotiates appropriate level of support, liability of medical support, payment on costs and payment on arrears in compliance with State and Federal regulations. Determines appropriate parties in court actions. Enters and maintains case and participant information into KIDS statewide computer system; maintains worklist items in KIDS. Interviews participants in child support cases. Performs searches to locate absent parents. Prepares cases for court and assists in the preparation of legal action. Determines and executes administrative enforcement of child support obligations. Prepares and files legal documents which include but are not limited to summons, petitions, affidavits, remedial contempt papers, motions, warrants, and orders for appearance. Collects, analyzes and interprets data. Prepares, completes and submits reports in a timely manner. Monitors cases to determine changes affecting liability or ability of non-custodial parents to make child support payments and the ability to obtain and maintain medical support. Initiates interstate actions with other states for the establishment and enforcement of child and medical support orders. Assists other states according to Uniform Interstate Family Support Action (UIFSA) guidelines. Monitors cases for child support payments. Determines next step action to enforce child and medical support orders. Schedules appointments and court hearings for various child support program actions. Initiates request to terminate public assistance benefits for non-cooperative program participants. Makes appropriate referrals to various Human Services departments (including Economic Support, Child Protection and fraud), mediation and Clerk of Courts. Coordinates employment-oriented and parenting referrals with numerous partnering agencies. Monitors and tracks progress of participants and reports findings. Forms collaborations with community agencies and identifies ways to educate the general public about child support services. Participates in public speaking engagements. Requests guardian ad litem appointments. Performs related functions as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications Required

Education and Experience: Minimum High School Diploma, plus two years of legal office experience preferably in family law field; Bachelor's Degree in related field preferred; or any equivalent combination of education, training and experience which provides the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities. Licenses and Certifications: Ability to obtain notary public certification.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Knowledge of general office procedures. Knowledge of simple bookkeeping practices and the ability to make arithmetic calculations. Knowledge of and ability to utilize a computer and the required software. Considerable knowledge of terms and forms used in legal discourse, procedures and documents. Ability to prioritize and categorize child support enforcement cases. Ability to examine and appraise documents and files for determining any required actions as it relates to job function. Ability to understand and follow complex oral and written instructions. Ability to obtain required information by interviewing individuals. Ability to type at a minimum rate of 40 net words per minute. Ability to answer inquiries and complaints effectively and maintain competence in stressful situations. Ability to learn and apply the specialized knowledge and skills of the department, including locating absent parents. Ability to utilize a variety of office equipment. Ability to accept responsibility and exercise independent judgment within the scope of defined duties and responsibilities. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and the public. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Ability to work and understand a complex data system (KIDS). Ability to plan and organize duties and responsibilities. Ability to work the required hours of the position.