Child Support Specialist I or II

CalHR•Quincy, CA

7d•Onsite

About The Position

The Child Support Specialist I is the entry/trainee level in the Child Support Specialist series and works under close supervision. The employee receives in-service training and detailed instructions on child support laws, regulations, and casework. As skills and knowledge develop, the employee takes on greater independence and responsibility. Employees are expected to advance to Child Support Specialist II after one year of satisfactory performance. The Child Support Specialist II is the journey level and works under general supervision. The employee independently handles a broad range of child support casework, from intake through establishment and enforcement to case closure, applying judgment and discretion within legal requirements and departmental policies. This level is normally reached through advancement from Child Support Specialist I; outside applicants must have prior related experience. Child Support Specialist III is the advanced journey level, with lead-worker duties or specialized program or system expertise. Both levels maintain child support caseloads; locate and interview custodial and non-custodial parents and others; gather information to establish support obligations and enforce child support laws; arrange payments where possible; and prepare cases for court hearings as needed. The position is not eligible for remote work. Compensation ranges are $21.48–$23.69 for Child Support Specialist I and $23.11–$25.48 for Child Support Specialist II.

Requirements

Child Support Specialist I: Two years of full-time clerical experience involving interaction with the public; or one year of full-time debt-collections experience involving interviews to collect information; or one year of full-time experience as a Child Support Assistant I or Office Assistant II in a Child Support Services Department; or completion of 60 semester or 90 quarter units of college. Qualifying education and experience may be combined; 15 semester units or 22 quarter units equal six months of experience.
Child Support Specialist II: One year of full-time experience performing Child Support Specialist I duties in a state or local government agency.
Knowledge of civil and criminal law and federal and California laws and regulations governing establishment and enforcement of child support obligations.
Knowledge of methods for locating non-custodial parents, relatives, related persons, assets, income, and liabilities; paternity establishment; child support collection; legal terminology; and preparation and processing of child support legal documents.
Knowledge of English-language structure and content, and basic mathematics and business arithmetic.
Ability to apply specialized federal child support laws and procedures to intergovernmental and international cases.
Ability to explain procedures, regulations, and requirements to people from varied educational and cultural backgrounds, and to interview people effectively in person and by telephone.
Ability to deal patiently, tactfully, and courteously with uncooperative, unreasonable, angry, upset, or hostile people.
Ability to collect DNA samples to establish paternity and to analyze facts, situations, people, and financial records using sound judgment.
Ability to compile information into clear, organized written reports or oral presentations; organize work, prioritize competing deadlines, and meet critical deadlines with minimal direction.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, establish effective working relationships, adapt to change, and use computers and other resources to prepare and manage cases.
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without visa sponsorship by the start date.
Applicants must possess integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, cooperative work skills, and health consistent with performing assigned duties; a medical examination and background investigation may be required.

Responsibilities

Manage a general caseload involving child support legal actions and the establishment, enforcement, and collection of payment obligations under established guidelines.
Coordinate appointments and interview custodial and non-custodial parents, employers, attorneys, and others.
Develop and analyze information to establish paternity.
Use methods, systems, and procedures to locate parents, relatives, and related persons, as well as assets, income, and liabilities.
Evaluate income and expense information and determine or recommend child support payment obligations under established guidelines.
Respond to inquiries and explain child support laws, court orders, rules, regulations, and policies to the public and staff.
Conduct or participate in interviews to secure support agreements and encourage payments without legal action.
Prepare and process legal documents related to establishing, collecting, and enforcing child support obligations.
Update customer and contact information, case actions, history logs, and records in a statewide automated system.
Provide case status information, explain the complaint resolution process, and answer case-specific questions without giving legal advice.
Apply federal, state, and local codes, procedures, and rules to child support cases.
Coordinate or conduct genetic testing when needed.
Perform related duties as assigned.