What are the responsibilities and job description for the Child Support Specialist Lead position at Portage County, WI?
The Portage County Health & Human Services Department has a full-time Child Support Specialist Lead position open!
This position performs duties relating to the child support program regarding the establishment, enforcement and collection of child support and medical support payments for children by complying with federal regulations, state, and administrative laws. In addition to the Child Support Specialist duties the Lead Worker acts as the primary day-to-day contact for all Child Support staff in the completion of their duties.
What are the primary job responsibilities?
- Interviews clients in order to establish and/or enforce child support and medical coverage for children; either when parties are married and separate or a Voluntary Paternity Acknowledgement has been filed. Establish child support, medical coverage and determine any costs to be ordered, including birth expenses when appropriate. Set monthly repay amount on all costs.
- Request seek-work requirement and Children First participating language in all child support orders.
- Monitor and enforce collection of current child support, any overdue child support and birth expenses due the State of Wisconsin and/or other parties. Monitor purge orders in contempt action prior to expiration date. Request further court action when warranted. Pursue medical support when not included in current order. Utilize Administrative Enforcement tools available when deemed appropriate in Title IV-D of the Social Security Act cases.
- Pursue appointment of Guardian ad Litem when deemed necessary.
- Refer cases to financial clerk to perform reconciliation of child support due in percent expressed orders. Identify earnings to be used in calculation for reconciliation as well as period of time for reconciliation. Review and approve prepared reconciliation determination. Prepare Affidavit to accompany other appropriate legal documents for filing action with the court.
- Locates absent parents by performing an investigation utilizing automated, internet, and manual resources available to assist in establishing and enforcing child support, and medical support orders. Refers request for Quick Locate through automated system or manual process to Specialist Assistant. Consult with Specialist Assistant when information is returned.
- Review all child support orders every thirty-three months pursuant to the 1988 Family Support Act, to determine compliance of order based on Wisconsin standard guideline. Negotiate agreements with parties and pursue appropriate legal documents for approval and filing as required.
- Arrange schedule with child support legal counsel at least one to two days in advance of upcoming court date for cases remaining on calendar. Verify all necessary documentation for court is in file, including any account record needed. Testify at court hearing when requested.
- Refer delinquent non-custodial parent cases to District Attorney Office for criminal nonsupport compliant.
- Meet with custodial parent to prepare required interstate documents and signing of documents as required. Negotiate settlements with other states acting in the best interest of the State of Wisconsin.
- Request financial clerk to change indicator in “KIDS” computer system as required regarding non-custodial parent tax refund intercept information.
- Provide technical support to Economic Support Case Workers as requested.
- Attend conferences, training sessions and, meetings as assigned. Access computer-based training courses as requested.
- Review Bulletin Board in KIDS system daily and weekly to remain informed of changes in automated system.
- Respond to telephone calls, voice mail and incoming correspondence per agency policies.
- Document conversations and interview information and other action taken not automatically recorded in KIDS system. Work assigned KIDS Worklists daily and weekly, meeting all required timelines. Refer appropriate worklists to designated staff.
- Provide direction and technical support to the assigned Specialist Assistant for preparation and processing of legal documents and correspondence.
Lead specific duties include;
Policy/Systems Interpretation
- Provides policy interpretation to staff.
- Researches and seeks policy clarification from state and federal staff.
- Assures that policies are being implemented and followed correctly.
Staff Training
- Coordinates training programs for new staff.
- Evaluates need for and provides in-house training covering Child Support topics.
Quality Assurance
- Monitors compliance with quality assurance standards to assess staff skills.
- Reviews case records.
- Monitors staff error rates.
- Develops training and error reduction strategies based on quality assurance findings.
What are the minimum qualifications?
- High school diploma or equivalent.
- Associate degree or training as a paralegal or legal secretary preferred.
- Minimum of five years child support work related experience.
- Successfully pass all required Background Checks.
- Must be a licensed driver and have access to an insured vehicle.
- Experience in classroom instruction and training techniques preferred.
- Any combination of education and experience to perform the essential functions of the position.
Portage County offers a GREAT benefit package, which includes the following;
- Vacation - available on day one!
- Health insurance- your choice of two health plans- (Health Savings Account associated with a High Deductible Health Plan with a County contribution or a PPO Co-pay plan)
- Wellness incentive plan offered with health insurance enrollment! Earn up to $600 per year!
- Flexible spending account
- Dental insurance
- State of Wisconsin Retirement Plan - County contribution of 6.95%!
- Paid holidays
- Paid sick leave
- Life insurance- premium paid by the County (must work a minimum of 30 hrs/wk)
- Long term disability insurance- premium paid by the County (must work a minimum of 30 hrs/wk)
- EAP (Employee Assistance Plan) - paid by the County
- 457(b) Deferred Compensation Plan
- Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program
Portage County is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Salary : $600