Lead Child Support Specialist

St Croix County•Hudson, WI

3d•Onsite

About The Position

This position performs advanced technical and lead-level work in the administration of the Child Support Program. The role manages an assigned caseload involving establishment, modification, and enforcement of court orders; handles complex or specialized cases; and serves as a primary technical resource for Child Support staff. It supports the Child Support Administrator in the day-to-day operation and development of the team through staff guidance, training, coaching, work-process monitoring, performance development support, and policy and procedure improvements. The position exercises independent judgment in applying applicable laws, regulations, policies, and procedures, but does not have formal supervisory authority. The role conducts client interviews; prepares legal, financial, and court documents; schedules hearings and testing; represents the Agency in court; negotiates settlements; processes payments and enforcement actions; locates parents; and prepares interstate case documentation. It maintains case records and supports agency operations, including administrative and backup receptionist tasks. Lead duties include reviewing work for accuracy and compliance, monitoring reports and workflows, coordinating priorities and coverage as directed, developing operational resources, communicating program updates, and overseeing assigned specialized functions. The position also participates in workgroups and assists with projects and implementation of operational or regulatory changes. Work is primarily in an office setting. Physical requirements include occasional exertion of up to 10 pounds; regular sitting; frequent standing and use of hands for handling, fine motor skills, and repetitive motions; and occasional walking, stooping, kneeling, crouching or crawling, and reaching. The position requires sufficient vision, vocal communication, and hearing for job tasks, and involves preparing and analyzing written or computer data. There is no exposure to environmental conditions; the work location is generally moderately noisy, such as a business office or area with light traffic. Minimum qualifications are an associate degree in accounting, legal studies, human services, or a related field plus at least five years of comparable child support experience, or a bachelor’s degree in one of those fields plus at least three years of comparable experience. Applicants must demonstrate advanced child support knowledge, complex case-management ability, staff coaching and training ability, and sound judgment. A caregiver and criminal background check is required; Notary Public status is listed if eligible. The expected hiring range is $26.57–$30.07 per hour, with a full salary range of $26.57–$37.03 per hour. FTE is 1.0.

Requirements

Associate degree in accounting, legal studies, human services, or a related field and at least five years of experience in a Child Support Specialist, Child Support Enforcement, or similarly related role performing comparable child support functions; OR a bachelor’s degree in one of those fields and at least three years of comparable experience.
Advanced knowledge of child support case management, program operations, and establishment, modification, and enforcement of child support orders.
Advanced knowledge of applicable state and federal laws, statutes, administrative codes, regulations, policies, procedures, and program requirements.
Advanced ability to use Wisconsin KIDS and other child support systems and resources, including CARES, DOT, KIDSTAR, Webi, wiKIDS, CCAP, WAMS, WISACWIS, DIHLR, Vital Records, and CLEAR.
Knowledge of the State Central Office Reporting system and ability to interpret and monitor agency reports, performance measures, deadlines, and program requirements.
Knowledge of legal and standard office practices, court processes, and documentation requirements applicable to child support operations.
Ability to independently analyze and manage complex child support cases and apply relevant laws, policies, procedures, and court orders.
Ability to train, mentor, coach, and provide constructive feedback to employees on case management, systems, policies, procedures, and court processes.
Ability to review others’ work for accuracy, consistency, timeliness, and compliance, and to communicate corrections and recommendations professionally.
Ability to monitor workloads, workflows, reports, deadlines, and operational processes; identify trends and concerns; and recommend solutions.
Ability to research, develop, review, document, and implement policies, procedures, checklists, workflows, and operational resources.
Ability to coordinate a caseload and lead-level responsibilities, manage multiple priorities, and meet deadlines.
Ability to collaborate and maintain effective working relationships with staff, courts, attorneys, agencies, community partners, customers, and the public.
Technical proficiency with relevant software and technology, including Microsoft Office, Outlook, and SharePoint.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities, policies, program requirements, and work demands.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise appropriate discretion regarding case information, employee matters, files, reports, and conversations.
Ability to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing, and explain complex child support information clearly to staff, customers, courts, and other stakeholders.
Ability to read, interpret, and apply complex laws, regulations, court orders, policies, procedures, and reports; prepare accurate legal documents, reports, correspondence, procedures, and training materials.
Ability to perform financial calculations, payment histories, account reconciliation, support calculations, adjustments, and possible refunds; and analyze complex financial and tax records.
Ability to identify problems, analyze information, evaluate alternatives, draw sound conclusions, exercise independent judgment, and make timely decisions, including in stressful or time-sensitive situations.
Ability to identify employee skill or performance concerns, determine appropriate coaching or training, and recognize when matters should be elevated to the Child Support Administrator.
Must successfully pass caregiver and criminal background checks.
Notary Public, if eligible.

Responsibilities

Manage an assigned caseload involving establishment, modification, and enforcement of child support court orders, including complex, specialized, unusual, or high-level cases.
Interview clients regarding paternity establishment and court preparation; prepare reports and legal documents for judicial and administrative purposes; and coordinate process service as needed.
Maintain case documentation, court orders, financial obligations, files, and records in required systems and formats.
Schedule court hearings, pre-court conferences, paternity testing, and genetic testing.
Represent the Agency in court hearings, testify as a witness for the State, support the Agency attorney during court activities, and negotiate out-of-court settlements.
Prepare payment histories, financial documents, interstate materials, and national medical support notices; receive and process Agency payments; reconcile accounts and calculate adjustments or possible refunds.
Initiate and process enforcement actions, including license suspensions, tax intercepts, lien docket actions, and account seizures; monitor, establish, and release liens; arrange alternative payment plans and coordinate lien payoffs.
Locate parents using information from agencies, relatives, employers, job services, online searches, and other sources.
Prepare and process interstate case documentation for establishing and enforcing paternity and child support orders, and prepare criminal non-support referrals to the District Attorney’s Office.
Review mandated state and federal reports, daily financial reports, income tax returns, financial documents, court calendars, deadlines, workflows, and performance measures; identify issues and facilitate timely action.
Provide technical guidance to Child Support staff on complex cases, policies, procedures, court processes, State systems, and state and federal requirements.
Provide onboarding, training, coaching, mentoring, constructive feedback, and ongoing technical development to staff; identify training needs and communicate recommendations to the Child Support Administrator.
Review casework, documentation, reports, and processes for accuracy, consistency, timeliness, and compliance; identify trends and concerns and elevate issues when appropriate.
Support employee performance development by identifying strengths, skill or knowledge gaps, and coaching needs; communicate significant or recurring performance concerns to the Child Support Administrator.
Assist with day-to-day workflow, priorities, and coverage as directed by the Child Support Administrator.
Research, develop, review, and update policies, procedures, checklists, and workflows; recommend operational improvements.
Participate in County, State, and interagency workgroups, committees, meetings, and training activities; communicate relevant program and procedural updates to staff.
Monitor assigned programs or specialized functions, including the Family Court Navigator program, and report needs, concerns, and recommendations to the Child Support Administrator.
Assist the Child Support Administrator with special projects, program initiatives, data review, and implementation of operational or regulatory changes.
Provide program information and explain court actions, penalties, costs, and available legal, employment, assistance-program, and agency resources.
Perform administrative support duties, including handling mail, scanning documents for electronic case filing, and providing backup office and receptionist coverage upon request.
Perform other duties as assigned.