Child Support Specialist III

Carries a caseload of complex, difficult or sensitive child support cases; acts as an ombudsman and provides advice and counsel to other Child Support Specialists; conducts compliance reviews and prepares reports in accordance with mandated guidelines and instructions; identifies problems and issues requiring corrective action and develops proposed solutions; develops training programs to improve staff skills and ensure compliance; assists in training new staff on a one-to-one basis; develops and/or revises procedures to improve effectiveness of staff performance; performs sophisticated and difficult financial research and calculations; approves final releases of driver's license holds through the Department of Motor Vehicles; interviews custodial parents to secure information regarding the whereabouts and assets of absent parents delinquent in making child support payments; ensures that forms and applications for child support payments are complete and accurate; conducts very sensitive interviews with the custodial parent and alleged father in order to establish paternity; arranges for appropriate testing as required and/or attempts to secure stipulation regarding paternity and ability to pay; locates, interviews and corresponds with absent parents, responsible relatives and other persons regarding legal obligations; locates assets and files liens against real property, insurance claims, probates and bankruptcies and federal or state taxes; calculates payment amounts due in accordance with ability to pay; attempts to persuade responsible parties to make payments without recourse to legal action; answers questions and explains procedures, policies and legal requirements; prepares cases for civil or criminal prosecution within standards set forth by statute and case law; protects the rights of the custodial and non-custodial parent and the child; assists attorneys with case preparation; monitors child support payment records to ensure that the responsible party is in compliance with court orders; initiates delinquent notices and arranges payment terms; recommends adjustments or compromises and seeks modification of court orders where appropriate; prepares or directs the preparation of a variety of legal documents such as writs of execution, orders to show cause and orders of examination; initiates fraud referrals when circumstances indicative of welfare fraud are found; maintains accurate records and files; and represents the division as liaison to other counties with regard to compliance activities.

Knowledge of:

• Civil and criminal law, procedures and regulations as related to the establishment and enforcement of child support cases.
• Child support collection procedures and methods of collecting and adjusting delinquent accounts.
• Procedures and requirements required for governmental agency compliance reviews; techniques for the preparation of effective reports, procedures and other written materials.
• Principles and techniques of effective interviewing; financial and case record keeping procedures; legal research techniques.
• Forms and documents used in the child support process.
• Case management techniques.
• Welfare rules and procedures.

Desired Skills:

• Handle a difficult, complex and sensitive caseload.
• Determine facts and gather data from interviews.
• Research, read, understand and apply complex technical legal material, such as legal provisions, statutes, policies, and procedures and court orders to secure current and delinquent child support payments and establish paternity.
• Examine and assess activities and documents for compliance with state and federal standards; identify problems and develop solutions.
• Assess departmental training needs and develop plans to meet those needs.
• Perform complex financial research and calculations and maintain sophisticated financial records.
• Review and evaluate data, weigh alternatives, and determine appropriate course of action.
• Manage a caseload effectively.
• Meet critical deadlines.
• Interview effectively to obtain factual information and explain procedures and requirements.
• Prepare effective correspondence, reports, procedures and other written materials.
• Evaluate case records for appropriate enforcement action.
• Be sensitive to the needs, attitudes and problems of clients from a variety of ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds.
• Establish and maintain effective relations and communications with agencies, private or public employers, and others contacted in the performance of the work.
• Interpret and prepare various legal documents.
• Effectively utilize various collection techniques.
• Organize and prioritize work load.
• Maintain accurate case files and records, and operate computers and automated casework systems.
• Represent the County effectively in meetings with other public agencies.
• Work in a standard office environment.

Training and Experience:

Any combination of training or experience that would provide the knowledge and skills to successfully perform the listed duties is qualifying. A typical way, but not required, to obtain the required knowledge and skills would be:

- Equivalent to EITHER one year of experience in performing the full range of duties at the journey-level in establishing and enforcing child support claims equivalent to the County class of Child Support Specialist II OR

- two years in a California child support enforcement program which has provided a knowledge of overall program operations, including the laws, regulations, procedures, and/or program fiscal and administrative components.  Prior responsibility for reviewing the work of staff is desirable as is at least one year of coursework in paralegal studies or a human or behavioral science.

Special Requirements:

• A valid driver's license may be required at the time of appointment.
   
• Position may require pre-employment drug testing, physical and fingerprinting for a background investigation.
   
• Government agencies accessing US government information, which include federal tax information must ensure that background investigation requirements for all agency employees and contractors that have access to federal tax information are consistent to the IRS background investigation requirements for access to federal tax information. A background check may be required if the position requires access to these types of records. Background requirements consist of three components which include, fingerprinting, citizenship verification and local law enforcement checks. State agencies must conduct investigation during time of hire and ensure a reinvestigation is conducted 5 years from the date of the previous background investigation for each employee that has access to federal tax information.

TYPICAL PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; normal manual dexterity and eye-hand coordination; lift and move objects weighing up to 25 lbs.; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment, including computer, telephone, calculator, copiers, scanners and FAX.

TYPICAL WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is performed in an office environment; continuous contact with other staff.

Salary : $48,318 - $61,714