State of Maryland

An Absent Parent Locator Unit Supervisor is the supervisory level of absent parent location work.  Absent Parent Locators work to locate absent parents not supporting their children, particularly those absent parents whose children are on public grants under the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program in the Department of Human Resources.  Employees in this classification plan and organize work assignments in accordance with program objectives and assure that locations are conducted in accordance with all relevant laws, policies and procedures.  Employees in this classification  review the success rates of locations made and gives guidance on the appropriate steps to be taken on the more difficult location assignments.  Employees in this classification supervise lower- level Absent Parent Locators and support staff.  

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a higher agency official.  Employees in this classification exercise independent judgment within the established guidelines, rules, regulations and laws of the Department of Human Resources.  Work effectiveness is evaluated in terms of the timeliness, quality and completeness of assigned projects and in terms of the unit’s effectiveness in complying with the objectives and goals of the program.               

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of a class specification.               

The Absent Parent Locator Unit Supervisor is differentiated from the Absent Parent Locator III in that the Absent Parent Locator Unit Supervisor has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Absent Parent Locators while the Absent Parent Locator III performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Plans, organizes, assigns, reviews and approves the work of the Absent Parent Locators in an Absent Parent Location unit;

Supervises clerical and other related support staff;

Evaluates the efficiency and performance of subordinate staff;

Develops and maintains continuing working relationships with assigned staff;

Trains and directs staff in departmental policies, procedures and programs concerned with the supervision of their cases;

Installs and directs work procedures;

Coordinates the operation of the unit with that of other related units;

Acts as liaison between the agency and other agencies, which may act as investigative resources;

Maintains files, forms and other materials;

Assures work of unit is conducted in accordance with laws, regulations and accepted procedures;

Assures forms and reports are complete and accurate;

Prepares statistical, narrative and other necessary reports and forms;

Maintains the timely flow of work;

May testify as a witness in court cases involving child support cases;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of expert investigative techniques used in locating absent parents;

Knowledge of interviewing, investigating and reporting techniques;

Knowledge of office methods, organization, management and operation;

Knowledge of English usage;

Knowledge of introductory statistical procedures and techniques;

Knowledge of supervisory principles and techniques;

Knowledge of the related principles of economics, sociology and psychology;

Knowledge of the practices of personnel administration;

Ability to investigate and collect financial information on absent parents;

Ability to select and evaluate information from various sources;

Ability to present evidence in court;

Ability to make and maintain harmonious working relationships with clients, coworkers, employees and others;

Ability to communicate effectively;

Ability to work independently;

Ability to exercise good judgment and resourcefulness in solving problems;

Ability to prepare complete, comprehensive and accurate narrative reports of a standard format;

Ability to maintain confidentiality of case material;

Ability to prepare and interpret financial information concerning absent parents;

Ability to exercise initiative, imagination, and sound judgment in executing work assignments;

Ability to assess and evaluate the work effectiveness of a subordinate unit staff;

Ability to supervise and coordinate the activities of subordinate personnel.

Education:   Graduation from an accredited high school or possession of a high school equivalency certificate.

Experience: Three (3) years of experience locating or verifying the location of absent parents not supporting their children.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Skilled Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Skilled Service positions.  Some positions in Skilled Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  This classification is supervisory and exempt from bargaining. As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial, and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.