CHILD SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Mesa County, CO•Peoria, IL

1d•$22 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

Mesa County Department of Human Services is a forward-thinking agency that has over 300 employees serving the needs of nearly 40,000 residents. From the Colorado National Monument to the thriving agricultural lands and city centers, Mesa County contains a diverse, natural landscape that provides many outdoor activities and adventures. As individuals and an organization, we value and respect humanity, honesty, balance, inclusion and teamwork. We provide a level of flexibility for staff to be able to accommodate their lives outside of the office environment. We value family and the relationships that make our lives rewarding. Our Mission: The Mission of the Mesa County Department of Human Services is to help individuals and families achieve safety, stability and opportunity for meaningful employment. Our Values: Mesa County Department of Human Services values represent our behavioral anchors for how we conduct ourselves. Simply stated, we value Humanity, Balance, Honesty, Inclusion and Teamwork. Job Summary: The Child Support Specialist manages the lifecycle of child support cases. There are different roles in the child support unit that cover case initiation, establishment, enforcement, and modifications through administrative and court processes. Authorized by statute to handle key case-related legal responsibilities, this role conducts investigative research, performs financial calculations, establishes parentage, prepares necessary legal documentation and communicates extensively with stakeholders of the case. Utilizing a human-centered, empathetic approach, the Specialist conducts customer interviews to gather information, facilitates negotiation conferences, and applies strong conflict de-escalation skills. Operating in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment, this role exercises independent judgment to ensure program compliance, protect confidential data, and deliver solution-focused support for families.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent is required.
Bilingual (English/Spanish) (preferred)
Strong case management, investigative, analytical, and communication skills to effectively support families through all stages of the child support process.
Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a high-volume, deadline-driven environment while maintaining accuracy and compliance.
Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills to engage customers with empathy, explain complex legal and program requirements in an understandable manner, and de-escalate challenging situations.
Ability to provide respectful, empathetic, and solution-focused service.
Ability to communicate effectively.
Ability to exercise independent judgment.
Ability to manage difficult interactions, de-escalate concerns, and facilitate productive solutions through effective communication.
Ability to gather, verify, and analyze information.
Ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities.
Approximately two (2) years of experience in fields such as: Bank teller, Collections agent, Billing specialist, Retail/customer service, Sales, Child Support Services, Court clerk, Professional office positions.

Nice To Haves

Bilingual (English/Spanish)

Responsibilities

Delivers services using a collaborative, human-centered approach that honors the unique circumstances, diverse backgrounds, and specific needs of each family.
Establishes and maintains productive, professional relationships with customers, attorneys, court personnel, employers, and community partners.
Effectively engages with customers to gather, verify, and accurately enter critical case information into the child support system.
De-escalates high-stress situations and is able to process information to critically think through solutions and provide necessary information for the proposed resolutions.
Collaborates closely with unit members to share information, resolve operational bottlenecks, and coordinate case activities.
Explains complex legal processes, program rules, and case requirements clearly and accurately to non-legal audiences.
Represents the agency professionally, contributing to a positive, service-oriented work culture.
Reviews, analyzes, and researches legal documents of varying complexity and drafts corresponding case documentation.
Accurately processes a large workload, manages competing priorities, and meets strict, tight deadlines.
Researches financial information and accurately applies state guidelines to determine child support obligations.
Independently assesses complex case circumstances, exercises sound judgment, and determines the next steps to ensure timely case progression.
Strictly adheres to confidentiality protocols, ensuring the protection of Federal Taxpayer Information from unauthorized disclosure.
Obtains and maintains required state certifications.
Welcomes customers, processes incoming applications/referrals, and clearly explains program rules and expectations.
Conducts targeted research to gather the documentation and case details necessary for intake.
Evaluates case details to determine the most effective legal method to establish or enforce support orders.
Collects DNA swab samples for paternity testing while adhering to strict legal identification and chain-of-custody protocols.
Facilitates negotiation conferences and applies conflict resolution techniques to secure agreements and advance the establishment process.
Researches public, private, and professional records to locate individuals and establish parentage.
Monitors compliance with court-ordered support obligations through frequent customer interactions, addressing payment concerns and facilitating necessary actions.
Conducts targeted investigations to locate individuals obligated to pay support through contact with employers, relatives, and public/private agencies.
Effectively negotiates with customers and other parties to secure consistent, full monthly child support payments in accordance with court orders.
Analyzes case records, payment histories, and applicable support orders to accurately calculate arrears obligations.
Manages incoming modification requests and verifies eligibility requirements.
Evaluates financial data and case history to support modification decisions.
Facilitates productive negotiations between parties to reach mutually agreeable outcomes.
Other related duties as assigned.