Child Support Officer
About The Position
Otter Tail County is now accepting applications for a full-time Child Support Officer. The Child Support Officer position, under general supervision, performs child support functions related to magistrate and district court hearings, court referrals and judgment actions, establishes and enforces child support orders for public assistance and non-public assistance clients; determines location of absent parents; interviews parents/adults to establish paternity, explains rights and obligations; works closely with the county attorney, court administrators, local attorneys, other county workers, employers, and a variety of other resource personnel; testifies in court proceedings; and maintains all necessary and legal documentation. Applications for this position will be accepted until 4:30pm on June 2, 2026.
Requirements
- Associate of Arts degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, paralegal, social work, psychology, human services, or business administration or completion of a technical or community college child support AAS or diploma program.
- Or A high school diploma, or GED
- Two years of experience working in child support programs and having responsibility for carrying our part of child support collections (i.e. as a Support Enforcement Aide, Collections Officer) or experience in a government agency with responsibility for collection of fees.
- Three years of experience providing clerical or other support services to child support staff, or experience as a legal secretary or paralegal (performing research on cases, gathering necessary documents for trials, preparing documents and pleadings, assisting attorneys in court, etc).
- Four years of experience in collections work in the private sector.
- Valid Driver’s License in the State of Minnesota
Responsibilities
- Initiate action to establish court orders for child support, medical support, and care costs.
- Remain up to date on all changes in child support statues, case laws, policies, and procedures.
- Interpret court orders for enforcement by considering location of parties involved, where original order was entered, availability of enforceable court order, and whether paternity has been established.
- Educate the public about the child support program.
- Collect DNA samples and record genetic test results.
- Gather information, analyze finances, calculate and recommend amount of child support, medical support, and childcare costs according to guidelines for paternity, establishment, modification, motion to set, and contempt in the expedited process or district court.
- Prepare pleadings, motions, and affidavits.
- E-file documents.
- Draft proposed court orders for approval by County Attorney, Child Support Magistrate and/or District Court Judge.
- Attend hearings and testify in court proceedings.
- Reviews orders drafted by individual parties and private attorneys to ensure all required elements are included in the order.
- Review judicial orders for accuracy and enters court order in PRISM.
- Refer appropriate cases to the County Attorney with recommendation for legal action on paternity, establishment, modification, and contempt cases.
- Monitor cases and contact absent parents, employers, etc. to resolve delinquent payments and determine further legal action.
- Maintain cases using computer systems including PRISM, MMIS, MAXIS, MEC2, MGA, Odyssey e-filing system, Caseworks, Microsoft Word and electronic mail.
- Maintains a close working relationship with County Attorney, private attorneys, court administration, and other county workers.
- Attend staff meetings as scheduled.
- Attend conferences as scheduled or agreed upon with supervisor.
- Attend trainings as related to job responsibilities.
- Complete documentation, timesheets, and employee records in a timely manner.
- Communicate schedule changes with supervisor.
- Utilize the status (In/Out) Board consistently to keep agency staff aware of availability.
- Utilize Prism as the case management system, including time documentation, case notes, documents and other systems as applicable.
- May assist with duties and responsibilities as outlined in the County Emergency Operations Plan and Continuity of Operations Plan.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
Associate degree
