DSHS ESA Child Support Enforcement Officer 3
About The Position
The Division of Child Support is looking to welcome a Support Enforcement Officer 3 to serve as a lead worker in their Tacoma office. In this position, you’ll be a go-to resource, a mentor, and a trusted leader. As a lead worker, you'll support families across Washington state by helping make sure children receive the financial and medical support they need to grow and thrive. You’ll also serve as a key resource for your team—training others, answering questions, reviewing work, and act on the behalf of the supervisor when needed. This is a hybrid position requiring 1 day per week in the office.
Requirements
- Two years of college level coursework, AND Four years of experience related to child support enforcement and/or debt collection, including two years of experience as a Support Enforcement Officer.
- Understanding of laws and regulations: Knowledge of State statutes and Federal regulations, court decisions, paternity proceedings, accounting and collection practices, legal rights, and remedies in support enforcement.
- Customer service: You listen actively, speak respectfully, and support clients in often challenging situations.
- Team leadership: You’re confident mentoring others and helping them grow in their roles.
- Collection experience: You have experience with enforcement practices, interpreting financial records, and tracking payments.
- Time management: You juggle competing tasks and deadlines without letting the details slip.
- Investigative skills: You know how to gather information from various sources to make informed decisions.
- Adaptability: You stay steady and responsive in a fast-changing policy and workload environment.
- Technical skills: You are comfortable using case management systems like the Support Enforcement Management System.
- Independence: You work well on your own, make sound decisions, and stay focused on priorities.
- Conflict resolution skills: To calmly and respectfully de-escalate difficult or emotionally charged interactions.
- Strong communication skills: Able to clearly explain complex legal and financial information to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Responsibilities
- Train staff in all aspects of child support collections and enforcement.
- Review work and explain child support laws and procedures in ways that are clear and practical.
- Audit work and processes to ensure we’re meeting both state and federal guidelines.
- Make critical casework decisions such as initiating, preparing, signing, and serving administrative and legal support enforcement actions.
- Establish Administrative Child Support Orders by researching and locating income information.
- Analyze, interpret, and apply State, Tribal, Federal, and International laws pertaining to paternity.
- Maintain technical expertise amidst constant changes in laws, policies, and procedures in order to be a resource for the team.
- Negotiate debt repayment terms.
- Calculate complex financial and medical child support obligations and arrearages.
- Assist with developing and implementing training plans and performance management plans.
- Assist walk-in customers.
- Act on behalf of the supervisor in their absence.
Benefits
- Orca Card for transportation needs
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Mid Level
Education Level
Associate degree
