Child Support Agent

Guilford County•400 W. Market Street Greensboro, NC

23h

About The Position

This position works to establish paternity, establish and enforce support orders, and modify orders for children in single-parent households, including cases where a parent lives in another state. The role supports the self-sufficiency of single-parent households and child custodians by investigating and locating parents of minor dependent children and determining their ability to contribute to child support. Work requires familiarity with investigative procedures, firmness and tact when dealing with parents, resourcefulness, and the ability to interpret and apply procedures and regulations. The position works under general supervision and is evaluated through reports, conferences, and public reaction. The Child Support Agent investigates cases, manages caseloads and reports, communicates with program participants and other involved parties, and prepares and presents cases in court. The role establishes paternity and legal support obligations, monitors compliance, initiates enforcement procedures, and carries out collection activities. The position may require driving a county-owned or personal vehicle for county business, subject to license, driving-record, and insurance requirements.

Requirements

Four-year degree, preferably in a related field; OR an associate degree, preferably in a related field, and two years of experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary, or legal work that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for the work; OR high school graduation and four years of such experience.
Considerable knowledge of investigative procedures and techniques.
Ability to analyze, evaluate, and recommend appropriate child support action.
Ability to communicate effectively with parents of minor dependent children, law enforcement agencies, and judiciary personnel to obtain pertinent information.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.
Ability to present information orally or in report form.
Ability to perform basic life operational functions including walking, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing, and repetitive motion.
Ability to perform light work, exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly.
Visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, perform accounting, operate a computer terminal, and do extensive reading.
If driving is required, a valid driver's license and a driving record compatible with the county's driving criteria; if using a personal vehicle for county business, proper insurance as required by county policy.

Responsibilities

Investigate and locate absent parents through contacts with former employers, the court system, law enforcement agencies, tax records, and the general public.
Maintain caseloads in the ACTS system.
Respond to participant questions and concerns.
Manage reports.
Interview and negotiate with program participants.
Prepare and present cases in court.
Establish paternity and legal support obligations, and monitor and initiate procedures to enforce child support payments.
Contact and confer with parents, magistrates, attorneys, and other law enforcement agencies to ensure proper paternity determinations.
Maintain support payment records and overall case compliance using monthly reports and system-generated reminders.
Conduct collections activities through methods including telephone contact, mail or email, and court action.
Perform other related duties as assigned.
When required for county business, drive a county-owned or personal vehicle and maintain compliance with applicable driving and insurance requirements.