Data Processing Specialist

Ottawa County•Family Justice Center, MI

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Assistant Friend of the Court for Operations, performs child support reviews every three years as required by statute or at the request of the Court or the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). Reviews and analyzes financial earnings information to determine income of custodial and non-custodial parents for the purpose of determining child support in accordance with the Michigan Child Support Formula. Analyzes and audits suspense accounts to determine proper distribution of funds and to effectuate release of funds by the Michigan State Disbursement Unit (MiSDU). This is a full-time, benefited position primarily working out of the Family Justice Center located at 12240 Fillmore St. in West Olive, MI, Some work responsibilities may be at the Ottawa County Courthouse located at 414 Washington Ave., Grand Haven, MI. Typical working hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm.

Requirements

Associate’s degree from an accredited institution in accounting, business information systems, data processing or closely related field and two (2) years of progressively responsible experience in accounting and business information systems; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Thorough working knowledge of the principles and practices of standard and fund accounting; and other legally mandated standards governing public sector accounting, auditing practices, and financial accountability.
Thorough knowledge and ability to read and interpret tax returns and schedules, financial statements and other financial documents establishing true income and earnings.
Thorough working knowledge of the Michigan Court Rules and State Court Administrative Office rules, regulations and requirements.
Thorough working knowledge of the Michigan Child Support Formula and its application and use in the calculation of child support and birthing expenses.
Familiarity with software calculations in MiCSES and MarginSoft.
Computer literacy, including working knowledge of spreadsheet, database, accounting and MiCSES applications software.
Ability to trouble shoot computer, software, and printer problems.
Good organizational skills and ability to prioritize the workload.
Ability to verbally interact positively and objectively with coworkers, officers of the court, clients, prosecutors, attorneys, auditors, and members of the general public from a wide range of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds and with varying levels of communications skills.

Nice To Haves

Specific experience with MiCSES and income support accounting preferred.
Bachelor’s degree in accounting or business information systems preferred.

Responsibilities

Performs a variety of accounting and auditing functions required to ensure the accurate assessment of child support and spousal support obligations and proper distribution of funds received by the Friend of the Court Office.
Conducts child support reviews as required by statute or requested by the Court or the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS).
Prepares 21-day orders establishing and/or modifying support and 21-day orders suspending support.
Obtains earning and income information.
Reviews income and business tax forms and schedules, financial statements, payroll records, Supplemental Security Income, disability income, worker's compensation, unemployment compensation and other earnings to determine income of custodial and non-custodial parent for the purpose of calculating child support.
Regularly works MiCSES reports to ensure compliance with program performance measures.
Identifies non-custodial parents (NCPs) who meet the criteria for a required review and monitors review process on all open reviews to ensure completion within required time frames.
Identifies NCPs who are currently incarcerated to determine whether a review is required and/or support should be suspended.
Reviews court orders to determine parenting time overnights, allocation of tax exemptions, health insurance provisions and other provisions impacting the child support calculation.
Receipts, posts and reconciles payments made to the Friend of the Court office, including cash, bond checks, money orders, voided and reissued checks, state recoupments, GovPay and other payments not processed by the MiSDU.
Balances daily receipts in preparation for daily deposit.
Reviews suspense account reports and places account holds to identify errors and distributes and releases payments to the proper accounts in accordance with the terms of the payer's court orders and/or as mandated by Federal distribution rules.
Prepares account adjustments for abatements, bonuses, direct payment credits and other credits/debits to payer accounts.
Researches data related to CARs (court action referrals) including intergovernmental CARS.
Use of QUICK, CPR/BRS, and Judicial Data Warehouse to determine the validity of the CAR.
Provides technical support for FOC staff computers, printers, and other office equipment.
Serves as back up for FOC Technology Specialist.
Processes returned mail and bad address reports.
Regularly uses locate and research application tools including: CLEAR, Accurint, Business Objects, AS400, and client outreach to determine valid addresses.
Regularly serves as back up to FOC Clerk I position on the telephone and at the reception window when clerks are exceptionally busy or short-staffed.
Performs other duties as assigned.