Domestic Support Specialist

Oakland County•Pontiac, MI

11h•Hybrid

About The Position

Oakland County is more than just a workplace. It is a place where you can make a real difference. As one of Michigan’s leading public service organizations, we are committed to strengthening communities, delivering essential services, and improving the quality of life for nearly 1.3 million residents. When you join our team, you become part of a mission-driven workforce guided by integrity, innovation, and a passion for public service. We offer competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to do meaningful work that matters. Apply today and help shape the future of Oakland County, where we are All Ways Moving Forward. For more information about Oakland County benefits and employee perks, please visit: https://www.oakgov.com/government/human-resources/benefits/new-hire General Summary $60,990- $81,714 This position is hybrid. Do you enjoy helping families navigate complex situations while balancing legal requirements and collaboration? In this role, you’ll play a key part in supporting the child support process by reviewing cases, facilitating mediation, and helping parties reach fair and compliant outcomes. Your work will directly impact families by ensuring child support orders are accurate, enforceable, and responsive to changing circumstances.

Requirements

Possession of a certificate or degree sanctioned by the American Bar Association as a Para‑Legal or Legal Assistant
Have one (1) year of full‑time work experience as a para‑legal or legal assistant; OR Have one (1) year of full‑time work experience in a social service agency or related field, in a professional or para‑professional capacity.
NOTE: A Bachelors Degree in law, social science, human services or a closely related field may be substituted for Para-Legal or Legal Assistant Certificate.
Pass the complete examination, including the employment medical, established for this class.
Successfully complete the six month probationary period.

Nice To Haves

Have 45 college credits or an Associate’s degree.
Considerable ability to make general decisions in accordance with departmental policies and procedures.
Considerable ability to follow complex oral and written instructions.
Considerable ability to conduct effective personal interviews.
Considerable ability to perform mathematical computations.
Knowledge of legal research methods.
Reasonable ability to utilize current word processing, spreadsheet, database, e-mail and Internet software.

Responsibilities

Respond to requests for modification and enforcement of child support orders under general supervision
Obtain, review, and evaluate financial and case-related information from involved parties
Schedule, facilitate, and conduct mediation conferences to help parties reach agreements
Prepare settlement agreements and consent orders for review and approval
Receive, research, and respond to mail, inquiries, and case-related questions
Conduct legal research as needed to support case resolution
Use countywide and department-specific software systems to document actions and manage caseloads
Reviews Michigan Department of Human Services/Office of Child Support referrals to determine if a child support and/or paternity case should be initiated in Oakland County Circuit Court.
Conducts personal, in-depth, financial interviews with clients.
Confirms valid ID for each client.
Calculates income and expenses of each client.
Prepares statistical information regarding overnight visits, parenting time, health care responsibilities, and pregnancy and birth expenses.
Conducts settlement conferences between parties to resolve outstanding issues.
Makes independent determinations regarding the cooperation/non-cooperation of the custodial party based on State of Michigan IV-D policy.
Drafts legal documents in preparation for the establishment of the child support case, including but not limited to consent judgments, default orders, agency complaint and answers.
Accesses and utilizes multiple information systems to obtain data relevant to child support and/or paternity cases.
Actively contributes to case preparation including drafting and reviewing pleadings, witness preparation, correspondence, and other information necessary to process the child support and/or paternity case.
Investigates case law in the appropriate venue to determine cause of action and prepare supporting data accordingly.
Researches and compiles data for complex and highly sensitive legal matters; reviews legal documents and reports for the purpose of ensuring accuracy and conformance with legal form.
Reviews neglect and guardianship cases to determine the proper parties responsible for contributing to the care of the child in each case.
Determines the cooperation and non-cooperation of custodial parties, based upon IV-D policy, which directly impacts the recipient’s cash, food, medical and childcare grants.
Advises litigants regarding the possible outcome of their case, including but not limited to Default Judgments, Order of Filiation, Consent Judgments, genetic test results, and affidavits of parentage.
Manages the flow of cases in order to meet federal and state timelines for case disposition.
Oversees the service of process and locate activities by Prosecutor’s or Sheriff’s staff and private process servers to ensure adequacy of service attempts before preparing affidavits and motions for alternate service.
Utilizes current county-wide and/or department-specific software to complete assignments.
Assists the Assistant Prosecuting Attorney in various duties pertinent to the establishment of a child support order.
Routinely communicates with law enforcement agencies, probation agents and local and federal government agencies.
Assesses and determines welfare fraud, immigration violations, social security fraud, and suspected child abuse; and reports any and all suspicious activity to the appropriate agency.
Obtains necessary files, documentation, and reports for litigation from myriad sources.
Analyzes and interprets state and federal laws, regulations, and policies regarding child support establishment.
Explains the genetic testing procedures and answers client questions regarding steps needed to establish paternity.