Lead Child Support Specialist

St. Croix County•Hudson, WI

4d•$27 - $37

About The Position

This position performs advanced technical and lead-level work in the administration of the Child Support Program. The Lead Child Support Specialist manages an assigned caseload involving establishment, modification, and enforcement of court orders; handles complex or specialized casework; and serves as a primary technical resource for Child Support staff. The role supports the Child Support Administrator in day-to-day team operations and development, including staff guidance, training, coaching, mentoring, work-process monitoring, performance development, and policy and procedure improvement. It exercises independent judgment in applying laws, regulations, policies, and procedures. The position provides lead-level guidance and support but does not have formal supervisory authority. The role includes client interviews, court preparation and representation, preparation and maintenance of legal and financial documents, scheduling hearings and testing, enforcement actions, payment processing, interstate casework, and communication with clients and partner agencies. It also reviews casework and reports, monitors workflows and deadlines, coordinates day-to-day priorities as directed, participates in workgroups and training, and assists with specialized program oversight and projects. The position is primarily office-based and includes regular computer, document, communication, and financial-analysis work. Minimum qualifications are an associate degree in accounting, legal studies, human services, or a related field and at least five years of comparable child support experience, or a bachelor's degree in one of those fields and at least three years of comparable experience. Applicants must demonstrate advanced child support case-management knowledge and the ability to manage complex cases, serve as a technical resource, coach and train employees, and exercise sound judgment. A caregiver and criminal background check is required; Notary Public status is required if eligible. Expected hiring pay is $26.57–$30.07 per hour, with a full salary range of $26.57–$37.03 per hour. The position is in the Child Support department at St. Croix County, with FTE 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, case 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 knowledge and ability to use Wisconsin KIDS and other child support systems, including CARES, DOT, KIDSTAR, Webi, wiKIDS, CCAP, WAMS, WISACWIS, DIHLR, Vital Records, CLEAR, and related resources.
Knowledge of State Central Office Reporting and ability to interpret and monitor reports, performance measures, deadlines, and program requirements.
Knowledge of legal and standard office practices, court processes, procedures, and child support documentation requirements.
Ability to independently manage complex cases and serve as a technical resource to others.
Ability to train, mentor, coach, and provide constructive feedback to employees; knowledge of employee development practices.
Ability to review others’ work for accuracy, consistency, timeliness, and compliance, and communicate corrections and recommendations professionally.
Ability to monitor workloads, workflows, reports, deadlines, and operations; identify trends or concerns and recommend solutions.
Ability to research, develop, review, document, and implement policies, procedures, checklists, workflows, and operational resources.
Ability to coordinate multiple priorities, including an assigned caseload and lead responsibilities, while meeting deadlines.
Ability to collaborate and provide lead-level guidance and support to coworkers.
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 establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, courts, attorneys, government agencies, community partners, customers, and the public.
Ability to maintain confidentiality and exercise discretion regarding case information, employee matters, files, reports, and conversations.
Ability to communicate complex child support information clearly and accurately, verbally and in writing, in English.
Ability to read, interpret, and apply laws, regulations, court orders, policies, procedures, and reports.
Ability to prepare clear, concise, accurate, and timely legal documents, reports, correspondence, procedures, training materials, and other written communications.
Ability to communicate professionally and tactfully when handling sensitive inquiries, resolving conflicts, and interacting with people from diverse backgrounds.
Ability to perform financial calculations for case management, including payment histories, account reconciliation, support calculations, adjustments, and possible refunds, and analyze financial and tax records.
Ability to identify and analyze problems, evaluate alternatives, draw sound conclusions, and independently manage complex, unusual, or sensitive cases within applicable requirements.
Ability to research unfamiliar issues, exercise sound judgment in stressful or time-sensitive situations, recognize patterns and concerns, identify improvements, and determine when issues should be addressed or elevated to the Child Support Administrator.
Must successfully pass a caregiver and criminal background check.
Notary Public, if eligible.

Responsibilities

Interview clients for paternity establishment and court preparation; prepare reports and legal documents and coordinate process service as needed.
Enter and maintain case documentation, court orders, and financial obligations in software systems and files.
Schedule court hearings and pre-court conferences; represent the Agency in court and testify as a State witness; support the Agency attorney in court activities.
Negotiate out-of-court settlements and prepare payment histories for attorneys and participants.
Schedule and perform paternity and genetic testing.
Review mandated state and federal reports and daily financial reports, approving adjustments as appropriate.
Initiate and process enforcement actions, including license suspensions, tax intercepts, lien docket actions, and account seizures.
Monitor, establish, and release liens; prepare alternative payment plans and coordinate lien payoffs with lending institutions.
Prepare national medical support notices for employers and clients.
Locate parents using available government, employer, family, postal, and web-based information and resources.
Prepare and process interstate case documentation for paternity and child support order establishment and enforcement; prepare financial documents and monitor payments for interstate action.
Prepare documents for referral of criminal non-support cases to the District Attorney’s Office.
Evaluate income tax returns and financial documents; establish and modify orders, reconcile accounts, calculate possible refunds, and receive and process Agency payments.
Provide program information, explain court actions, penalties, and costs, and direct individuals to legal, employment, assistance, and government resources.
Perform administrative support tasks, including mail, scanning documents, maintaining files and records, and backup office and receptionist duties upon request.
Serve as a technical resource to Child Support staff on complex cases, policies, procedures, court processes, systems, and state and federal requirements.
Provide onboarding, training, coaching, mentoring, and ongoing technical development; identify training needs and communicate recommendations to the Child Support Administrator.
Give staff day-to-day guidance and constructive feedback on case management, work processes, documentation, customer service, and policy application.
Support employee performance development by identifying strengths and development needs, and communicate significant or recurring concerns to the Child Support Administrator.
Review casework, documentation, reports, and processes for accuracy, consistency, timeliness, and compliance; identify trends and provide guidance or elevate issues as appropriate.
Manage a larger or more complex caseload and serve as a resource on difficult, unusual, or high-level cases, including non-IVD and initiating cases.
Monitor agency reports, court calendars, schedules, deadlines, workflows, and performance measures; work with staff to facilitate timely completion of required actions.
Assist with coordinating workflow, priorities, and coverage as directed by the Child Support Administrator.
Research, review, develop, and update policies, procedures, checklists, and workflows, and recommend operational improvements.
Participate in County, State, and interagency workgroups, committees, meetings, and training; communicate relevant updates to department staff.
Monitor assigned programs or specialized functions, including the Family Court Navigator program, and communicate program needs 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.
Perform other duties as assigned.