County of Alameda

Under general supervision, Child Support Specialist III’s handle the most complex and/or sensitive child support cases; provide training to Child Support Specialist I/II and other support staff; lead Child Support Specialists and support staff in the execution of day to day work or special projects and perform the full range of Child Support Specialist duties as necessary to meet and deliver program objectives, and perform related work as required.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES

This is the advanced journey level/lead classification in the Child Support Specialist series located in the Alameda County Department of Child Support Services (ACDCSS).  Positions allocated to this class require a high degree of public contact which necessitates incumbents to possess strong customer service skills. Incumbents are responsible for handling confidential information, building rapport with customers and the public, and operating within the legal confines of the child support program.  The class of Child Support Specialist III is distinguished from the lower level class of Child Support Specialist II in that the former is responsible for providing lead direction, training, and review of the work completed by other Child Support Specialists and support staff, in addition to performing the full range of Child Support Specialist duties.

NOTE:  The following are the duties performed by employees in these classifications.  However, employees may perform other related duties at an equivalent level.  Each individual in the classification does not necessarily perform all duties listed.  

1.  Enforces existing child support and medical support orders, utilizing debt collection methods and enforcement actions.

2.  Utilizes a variety of methods and procedures to locate absent parents and information on participant assets, income and liabilities including contacting other agencies, using web-based searches, government records databases, and other databases.

3.  Documents and updates case information, which includes contact information, case action/history logs and records.

4.  Handles escalated customer service issues.

5.  Prepares legal documents necessary for the processing of court cases (i.e. summons and complaints, default judgements, motions, orders, etc.) to establish and enforce child support obligations.

6.  Facilitates financial agreements with ACDCSS attorneys and case participants regarding their child support obligations.

7.  Provides high quality customer service to both internal and external customers by providing accurate, complete and updated information in a courteous, efficient and timely matter.

8.  Participates in court hearing conferences with case participants to facilitate resolutions.

9.  Prepares a variety of documents, letters, emails and/or memos to obtain or verify information related to the processing of child support cases.

10.  Conducts individual and group training sessions on current or revised work policies and procedures.

11.  In a lead capacity, provides guidance, direction and support to staff in the processing of child support related work.

12.  May maintain and update unit procedures; assists with researching and developing work procedures.

13.  Leads and reviews the work of subordinate staff to ensure accuracy, quality control, and compliance with policy and procedure.

14.  Provides employee training and performance feedback for supervisors.

15.  May participate and assist with departmental initiatives that extend into the community and/or partners with other organizations/agencies to promote awareness and knowledge of the Child Support Program.

16.  Attends meetings and participates in training sessions and staff development activities on and off-site.

17.  Travels locally to perform child support related duties at court and other program related activities.

18.  Arranges for paternity tests.

Education:  

Graduation from high school or possession of a Certificate of Proficiency issued by the California State Board of Education, or possession of a G.E.D. certificate.

AND

Experience:

EITHER I

The equivalent of two years of full-time experience in the class of Child Support Specialist II or an equivalent higher-level classification in the Alameda County classified service with primary responsibility for interviewing, or exchanging detailed verbal information, and managing a caseload in a responsible public contact position.  

OR II

The equivalent of four years full-time child support case work experience within a child support program.

Substitution:

Possession of an associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in sociology, public administration, liberal arts, or closely related field may be substituted for either six months (AA) or one year (BA/BS) respectively, of the required experience in pattern II. 

Special Requirements:

1.  Must possess and maintain a valid California State Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

2.  A thorough pre-employment background investigation, including fingerprinting will be conducted of all candidates who have accepted a conditional offer of employment to ensure suitability for child support related work.  A felony conviction may be disqualifying.  

NOTE:  The Civil Service Commission may modify the above Minimum Qualifications in the announcement of an examination.

NOTE:  The level and scope of the following knowledge and abilities are related to duties listed under the “Examples of Duties” section of this specification.

Knowledge of:

• General principles and procedures of casework, child support establishment, enforcement and collection procedures, methods and techniques.
• Federal, State and local laws pertaining to the establishment, collection and enforcement of child support.
• Interviewing principles, research techniques and procedures.
• Principles and practices of leadership and performance management.
• Child support case management computer systems, programs and applications or similar proprietary case management system.
• Basic arithmetic to perform calculations and understand financial records.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• Modern office methods, procedures, tools and equipment.
• Proper English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Terminology and processes related to child support laws and regulations.
• Legal forms and documents used to enforce support.
• Mandated child abuse reporter laws and procedures.

Ability to:  

• Maintain systematic, detailed and accurate case files/records and notes of activities.
• Research and extract personal and financial information from a variety of sources.
• Work independently and exercise sound judgement.
• Analyze factual information to solve problems, accomplish tasks and make recommendations within guidelines.
• Provide lead guidance and direction, planning, organizing, and prioritizing the work of subordinate staff.
• Develop and deliver technical training appropriate for one-on-one and group settings.
• Apply laws and interpret policies related to the collection and enforcement of child support.
• Research and analyze complex legal, financial and other records sufficiently to obtain data needed to secure and enforce child support cases.
• Communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing.
• Deal tactfully and courteously with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Interview participants in-person and over the telephone to elicit information.
• Organize assigned work effectively and manage multiple priorities.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with both internal and external customers.
• Use a variety of collection methods to obtain child support payments.
• Maintain the integrity and confidentiality of sensitive and personal information.
• Operate a variety of office equipment, including desk top and laptop computer equipment, databases and programs common to child support enforcement activities.
• Follow and apply oral and written instructions.
• Draft and compose standard business correspondence using proper English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.

BG:pf  04/11/02

Newspec:  1403.doc

CSC Date:  04/24/02

SA:pf  Revised 03/15/05

CSC Date:  04/27/2005

SG:po  Revised 07/01/08

CSC Date:  09/24/08

AS:cs  Revised 11/20/14

CSC Date:  12/10/14

LC:ac  Revised/Retitled 02/01/19

Old Title: Child Support Caseworker III

CSC Date: 06/05/19

Alameda County offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package that affords wide-ranging health care options to meet the different needs of a diverse workforce and their families. We also sponsor many different employee discount, fitness and health screening programs focused on overall well being.  These benefits include but are not limited to*:

For your Health & Well-Being

• Medical – HMO & PPO Plans
• Dental – HMO & PPO Plans
• Vision or Vision Reimbursement
• Share the Savings
• Basic Life Insurance 
• Supplemental Life Insurance (with optional dependent coverage for eligible employees) 
• County Allowance Credit
• Flexible Spending Accounts - Health FSA, Dependent Care and Adoption Assistance
• Short-Term Disability Insurance
• Long-Term Disability Insurance
• Voluntary Benefits - Accident Insurance, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity and Legal Services
• Employee Assistance Program

For your Financial Future

• Retirement Plan - (Defined Benefit Pension Plan)
• Deferred Compensation Plan (457 Plan or Roth Plan)

For your Work/Life Balance

• 12 paid holidays
• Floating Holidays
• Vacation and sick leave accrual
• Vacation purchase program
• Catastrophic Sick Leave
• Pet Insurance
• Commuter Benefits Program
• Guaranteed Ride Home
• Employee Wellness Program (e.g. At Work Fitness, Incentive Based Programs, Gym Membership Discounts)
• Employee Discount Program (e.g. theme parks, cell phone, etc.)
• Child Care Resources
• 1^st United Services Credit Union 

*Eligibility is determined by Alameda County and offerings may vary by collective bargaining agreement.  This provides a brief summary of the benefits offered and can be subject to change.