Job Details

Child Support Specialist Opportunity

The Department of Child Support Services is excited to announce an opportunity for a Child Support Specialist to join our team! Classes in this series work for the County's Department of Child Support Services to determine and initiate legal action to locate non-custodial parents and custodial parties, establish and enforce child and medical support orders, and resolve questions of paternity based on legal requirements and state and federal mandates. Works under the direction of the Child Support Attorney to ensure compliance with all laws and regulations.

Typical tasks and representative duties include:

• Managing a general child support caseload in accordance with state and federal compliance criteria and department policy and performance measures.
• Reviewing child support caseload to determine appropriate course of action.
• Generating appropriate legal documents and initiating legal proceedings in compliance with state and federal mandates related to child, spousal and medical support.
• Assisting local Child Support Agency attorneys by interviewing case participants, locating non-custodial parents and custodial parties, and obtaining documentary evidence. Applies appropriate action in compliance with federal laws, California laws, and the laws of other states and nations.
• Explaining child support procedures to case participants and other agencies.
• Calendaring matters for court and preparing subpoenas for witnesses and documentary evidence.
• Coordinating genetic testing to resolve questions of paternity.
• Appearing in court to testify in civil and criminal cases.
• Accessing computer-based information systems daily to monitor and maintain case management and payment records; inputs and/or updates data to maintain current records and ensures appropriate record keeping for audits.
• Applying legal actions as directed by the court, to establish and enforce child and medical support, uses the Disso-Master computer program and applies the Uniform State Child Support Guidelines pursuant to Family Code 4055 to calculate child support.
• Accessing and utilizing information from the Department of Social Services and a variety of computer-based systems for information; analyzing government records and reports; exchanging information with courts and/or agencies in other jurisdictions as required and allowed by state and federal mandates.
• Identifying and referring participants to available county and community services.
• Appropriately applying interpretation of law to all child support cases as instructed by the Child Support Attorney
• Performing related duties as required.

Bilingual preferred but not mandatory. Education and experience resulting in the required knowledge, skills, and abilities. An example of qualifying education and experience includes:

Child Support Specialist I: Two years education in an accredited college or university with a major in Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Science or a closely related field.

Child Support Specialist II: Either A: Two years of experience as a Child Support Specialist I or an equivalent position; Or B: Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Science or a closely related field, and one year of experience involving interviewing or counseling.

Child Support Specialist III: Two years of experience as a Child Support Specialist II or an equivalent position.

Certain positions within this classification may require driving. When driving is an essential function of the position, a valid California driver license will be required at the time of appointment and must be maintained throughout employment.

Applications, including answers to supplemental questions, must be submitted online by the final filing date. Most County recruitments require you to respond to supplemental questions as part of the application process. We recommend that you review these questions prior to beginning your application.

An initial application review will be conducted. Candidates who meet the minimum qualifications and are best qualified will be invited to participate in selection activities which may include online assessments, performance exams, written exams, and interviews.

Final candidates will be required to have an in-depth background review performed before proceeding in the process. Please note that references will not be contacted until the end of the process.

If you have questions or would like to discuss the opportunity further, please contact Human Resources at hr@co.slo.ca.us. Confidential inquiries are welcomed.

Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job or to perform your job. Examples of reasonable accommodation include making a change to the application process or work procedures, providing documents in an alternate format, using a sign language interpreter, or using specialized equipment. Please call 805-781-5959 for assistance or e-mail hr@co.slo.ca.us for more information.

The County is an equal opportunity employer. Objectives are directed toward assuring equal opportunity in selection / promotion, pay, and job assignments. Recruitment and selection procedures have been established to ensure non-discrimination on the basis of political or religious opinions or affiliations, age, sex, race, color, national origin, marital status, disability, sexual orientation or other non-merit factors.