CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT AGENT I

State of careers Rhode Island • Chicopee, MA

1d • $57,806 - $65,606

About The Position

Within the Department of Human Services, the Child Support Enforcement Agent I processes cases involving paternity establishment, locating parents, and establishing child support and medical orders. The agent provides welcoming, courteous assistance to customers in person, by telephone, and by scheduled appointment; interviews applicants to obtain documents and location information; and helps establish paternity and support orders for DHS programs.

The position uses automated case-processing systems and the Master Client Index; conducts research to locate parents and their property; gathers, scans, indexes, and registers case information; and explains program information, rights, responsibilities, procedures, and case status. Duties also include reviewing court orders, compiling evidence, testifying at hearings, preparing and filing legal pleadings, coordinating genetic testing, and responding to Family Court requests. The agent may be assigned an enforcement or interstate caseload and performs related functions under applicable federal regulations, state law, and program requirements.

The position works under a superior who provides specific instructions and evaluates work through case and report reviews, conferences, and field visits. It does not supervise other employees. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for 35 hours per week. The position is subject to E-Verify employment eligibility validation because the hiring site contains Federal Tax Information, even if the employee does not directly access that information.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution, concentrated in Criminal Justice, Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, Paralegal Studies, or a closely related field.
• At least two years of employment in a social services position conducting fact-finding interviews.
• Working knowledge of federal and state laws, rules, and regulations governing the statewide comprehensive child support program and the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA), and the ability to apply that knowledge.
• Working knowledge of state and federal laws applicable to Title IV-D programs.
• Working knowledge of Windows operating systems, personal computers, and standard desktop office tools.
• Knowledge of State Family Court procedures and familiarity with paternity adjudication laws and family court procedures as they apply to child support enforcement.
• Ability to navigate a computer while on the telephone and while providing in-person assistance.
• Clear and effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to provide accurate information to clients, recipients, agencies, employers, and other interested parties, and to interact professionally, tactfully, and courteously.
• Ability to make and verify mathematical calculations accurately and quickly.
• Ability to read, understand, interpret, and apply state and federal child support laws, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to conduct informative interviews using standard interviewing techniques and human relations skills, and to gather information through telephone and in-person interviews.
• Ability to make technical decisions involving revocation of personal and professional licenses and to present the agency's case in hearings involving license revocation, written payment agreements, tax interception, and related matters.
• Ability to prioritize and organize cases, provide effective customer service in person, electronically, and by telephone, resolve problems, and apply sound decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Process cases involving paternity establishment, locating parents, and establishing child support and medical orders.
• Provide courteous customer service in person, by telephone, and by scheduled appointment.
• Meet with and interview applicants to obtain documents, location information, and other information needed for child support cases.
• Operate automated case-processing databases and access the Master Client Index to identify individuals before entering cases.
• Locate non-custodial parents for service in accordance with state and federal procedures.
• Perform scanning, indexing, registration, and data collection.
• Help applicants and recipients understand rights and responsibilities, complete applications, and provide supporting evidence; communicate program information, procedures, and case status.
• Obtain information about obligors and their property using authorized location services, records, and other research sources.
• Review court orders and compare them with attorney draft orders; distribute copies to appropriate parties.
• Review and compile evidence and testify at administrative, civil, or criminal hearings.
• Conduct research related to client location, paternity, and other relevant topics.
• Respond to Family Court requests with recommendations when assigned.
• Establish paternity and child support and medical orders, including obtaining records, preparing legal pleadings, and filing court actions.
• Prepare case files for court calendars and schedule genetic testing appointments.
• Meet with custodial or non-custodial parents to review DNA results or prepare voluntary acknowledgment paperwork.
• File and upload paternity pleadings and DNA results as necessary.
• Handle an enforcement or interstate caseload when assigned, performing related functions under federal regulations, state law, and program requirements.

Benefits

• Information about benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees is provided through the Office of Employee Benefits website. Employees hired after September 30, 2014 are required to participate in direct deposit.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level