Child Support Officer

Job Summary

Under the direction of the Child Support Supervisor, performs a variety of complex professional and paralegal tasks related to locating parents, the determination of paternity, establishment, enforcement, and collection of child support obligations. Conducts investigative interviews with non-custodial parents and custodial parents. Negotiates agreements of child support matters. Prepares legal documents and provides testimony in expedited process and District Court hearings on child support cases.

Job Description

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Prepares all legal documents for court actions in the expedited process and District Court related to paternity, establishment, and enforcement actions. Provides court with credible testimony of facts of case. Represents the county in private dissolution actions when public assistance is being expended.
• Uses all available resources to locate absent parents. 
• Negotiates statutory issues with all interested parties during court processes. Negotiates payment compliance agreements and settlements. 
• Manages and prioritizes assigned caseload of complex child support and foster care cases; takes additional steps for cases identified as having safety concerns. 
• Determines appropriate financial information to complete adjustments and reconcile account balances.
• Demonstrates knowledge and understanding of human behavior, cultural diversities, and language barriers to ensure equitable service delivery.
• Analyzes cases to determine appropriate jurisdiction to proceed with a legal and enforcement action within Minnesota, other states, or other countries.
• Conducts fact-finding investigations of financial resources of both parties. Completes investigative interviews as appropriate. 
• Works the hours and/or shifts assigned and begins and ends work on time.
• Performs other related duties as required or assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Must have one of the following:

High school diploma or GED and 6 years related experience in child support, determining eligibility for public assistance programs, collections or case aide in a social services agency, or paralegal/legal assistant in family law
High school diploma or GED plus one year of post-secondary education and 4 years of related experience
Associate's Degree and 2 years of related experience
Bachelor's Degree and 6 months of related experience
Preference given for computer aptitude, investigative interviewing, and preparing cases for administrative/appeal hearings. A reliable form of transportation for the performance of work responsibilities is required.

SUPERVISORY CONTROLS

The employee is under general supervision of the Child Support Supervisor. Work is performed independently according to established procedures and guidelines. The supervisor may occasionally review completed work to ensure adherence to departmental policies and procedures. The County Attorney's office regularly reviews legal documents prepared by the employee prior to submission in expedited process proceedings and/or District Court.

CORE COMPETENCIES AND ABILITIES

• Customer Service - Delivers government services in a respectful, responsive, and solution-oriented manner.
• Communication - Is always clear about what we're doing and why we're doing it.
• Collaboration - Works with partners – communities, schools, faith groups, private business, and non-profit agencies – to see that services are not duplicated but rather are complimentary, aligned, and provided by the partners who can deliver the service most effectively.
• Stewardship - Works proactively to make investments, guided by resident input, which will transform lives, communities, and government.
• Empowerment - Works with individuals and families to affirm strengths, develop skills, restore hope, and promote self-reliance.
• Resiliency - Fosters public preparedness and responds when families and communities face health and safety emergencies.
• Innovation - Takes informed risks to deliver services more effectively and learns from successes and failures.
• Knowledge – Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws relating to child support and paternity including bankruptcy.
• Knowledge of county, department, and unit policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the regulations pertaining to the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act.
• Knowledge of investigative techniques and procedures, including Rules of Evidence and court procedures.
• Knowledge of insurance laws, rules, and regulations, as it pertains to the issue of medical support.
• Abilities – Ability to analyze child support cases and decide upon an appropriate course of action.
• Ability to communicate with a variety of individuals from various social economic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.
• Ability to utilize critical thinking skills when working with complex case scenarios.
• Ability to assemble relevant collections case information and effectively present such information in support of the county's position on child support cases in court hearings.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with coworkers, law enforcement, attorney, other state/federal public agencies, and private entities. 
• Ability to establish and maintain thorough case files in compliance with state and federal laws, both for ongoing collections and for audit purposes; ability to prepare clear, concise, and comprehensive reports; ability to prepare court documents in a paralegal capacity. Ability to be objective remain neutral and to exercise sound judgment in working with the public.
• Ability to speak, present, and interact in public arenas with composure, professionalism, and discretion.
• Ability to use MS Office software for the performance of essential duties.
• Ability to use appropriate discretion in dealing with matters of a confidential nature.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Typical characteristics of the regular, ongoing work environment of this position requires inside work, typically in an office setting.

Physical activities include sedentary to light work: Reaching, sitting, standing, walking, pushing, lifting, pulling, fingering, grasping, feeling, stooping, talking, hearing, seeing, and repetitive motions. Lifts and/or navigates up to 35 pounds on a routine basis in handling files and equipment necessary for performing the essential duties of the job.

SELECTION PROCESS

Selection for this position will be based on a minimum qualifications screening and rating of training and experience. Top candidates will be forwarded to hiring manager or supervisor for consideration for interview and/or additional assessments. Final selection will include a background check and approval by the County Board.