Child Support Specialist I

Make a Difference with DHSS

Our mission at the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is to improve the quality of life of Delaware citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. We prioritize personal and family independence by assisting individuals and families in a variety of life areas.

We offer numerous career opportunities and are dedicated to attracting and retaining highly talented individuals who are ready to make a difference in their community today. DHSS is a great place to kick-start your profession.

For more information, please visit https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/ today!

This position is located in the Operations Unit of DCSS that establishes and enforces child support orders. The incumbent will work with members of the Department of Justice and Family Court. Duties: will have contact with the customer, face-to-face, via phone, e-mail, in court, or in the office setting. The incumbent will perform research and case management via various databases, such as, the Delaware Child Support System, and other governmental automated systems.

Upon satisfactory completion of department promotional standards and job requirements, employees may be eligible to be promoted to the next level.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Interview obligees and assess their needs to determine the appropriate course of action. Update case records to include location of non-custodial parent and custodial parent, asset identification, and establishment of  paternity.
  
• Access multiple national, state, and local jurisdiction database systems to gather information for the processing, establishment, and enforcement of child support cases.
  
• Research/review obligees/obligors case record to prepare petitions, motions, wage attachments, and various legal documents.
  
• Review case record to answer questions from obligee/obligor, employers, in state and out-of-state agencies, and elected officials.  Document all inquiries in an automated system.
  
• Refer obligee/obligor to other public/private agencies for services appropriate for their needs.
  
• Maintain records and reports and shares information with other public/private agencies.
  
• Interview obligee/obligor to elicit sensitive information from persons of  various socio-economic backgrounds.
  
• May provide outreach/education programs by working with various public and private social service agencies, schools, and correctional facilities.
  
• Recognize crisis/dangerous situations and avoid/defuse through application of appropriate procedures/processes.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Child Support Specialist I
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

• Possession of an Associates degree or higher in Behavioral or Social Science or related field.
  

            OR

1. Six months experience in case management which includes assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to meet an individual's human service needs.
2. Six months experience in interviewing clients and their families to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.
3. Six months experience in applying laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
4. Six months experience in using an automated information system to enter, update, modify, delete, retrieve/inquire and report on data.
5. Six months experience in narrative report writing.
6. Knowledge of math such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, or decimals.

This position is a classification organized under an exclusive bargaining representative (labor organization) that has been elected by employees as their representative for collective bargaining and other applicable terms and conditions of employment, in accordance with Title 29, Chapter 59 and Title 19, Chapter 13 and 16.  This position is covered by a collective bargaining agreement based on its individual terms.

Criminal background check: A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire.  The recruiting agency may require the applicant to pay for the criminal background check as part of the conditional offer of hire.

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information refer to our Job Seeker Resources.

DHSS does not provide employment-based sponsorship.

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/

The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position.  It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties.  For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content.   Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements.

Once you have submitted your application on-line, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email.  Please keep your contact information current.  You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the “My Applications” tab at StateJobs.Delaware.gov.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process.  To request an auxiliary aid or service please call (302) 739-5458. TDD users should call the Delaware Relay Service Number 1-800-232-5460 for assistance.

The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.