CHILD SUPPORT SPECIALIST I (#BY1 )

$26.59-$33.63 hourly / $4,609.00-$5,829.00 monthly / $55,307.20-$69,950.40 yearly

Under general supervision, performs interviews and office investigations to obtain factual information for the purpose of securing child support; identifies and locates absent parents, their income sources and assets; monitors cases; and does related work as required. 

Child Support Specialist I is the entry level class. Incumbents work under general supervision and are expected to attain the degree of proficiency necessary for advancement to the class of Child Support Specialist II, usually after one year. Incumbents perform interviews, provide customer service, record and evaluate comprehensive data concerning support cases, manage a caseload using an automated system and other record keeping means, generate documents and locate absent parents. 

Interview custodial and non-custodial parents and other parties to obtain information necessary for initiating and processing cases including the non-custodial parent's whereabouts and the financial status of both parents; gather and verify information by phone, correspondence or in person, explain procedures, rights, responsibilities and case status to custodial and non-custodial parents; monitor cases; record information; keep accurate records; prepare reports; evaluate cases for non payment or next appropriate referral, refer complex matters to Child Support Specialist II position for legal action; may conduct review of case files for compliance with federal and state performance standards and regulations; may testify in court to verify statements made on applications; may provide services at co-location centers at the Human Resources Agency or other locations; may provide coverage for other classes as required. Incumbents in this position do not typically manage a complex caseload. 

Knowledge: 

Working knowledge of: 

• Recordkeeping practices. 
• Methods of organizing work. 
• Interviewing techniques for gathering factual data. 

Some knowledge of: 

• Common legal terminology, legal documents and legal procedures for enforcing payment of child and spousal support; 
• Methods and techniques used to locate assets, income and absent parents; 
• How to access and input data into a computer; and 
• Word processing. 

Ability to: 

The following abilities are required of all positions: 

• Interview complainants and others to gather factual information; 
• Learn common legal terminology, types of documents and legal procedures used in child support; 
• Read, understand, explain and apply basic laws and regulations; 
• Make accurate arithmetic computations; 
• Establish priorities and schedule work to meet deadlines; 
• Establish effective rapport with client populations and others to obtain confidential information and elicit cooperation; 
• Maintain systematic and accurate records; 
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing; 
• Operate a computer terminal to input and access information; and 
• Learn word processing. 

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 

Any combination of education and experience, which would provide the required knowledge and abilities, is qualifying, unless otherwise specified. A typical way to obtain these knowledge and abilities would be: One year of journey level clerical experience involving some public contact. 

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS/CONDITIONS 

• Special Working Conditions: Exposure to possible hostile reactions from Child Support clients. · Fingerprint/Background Investigation: Ability to pass a background investigation. 
• Fingerprinting is required. 
• Physically and mentally capable of performing the position's essential functions as summarized in the typical tasks. 

PREVIOUS TITLES: Family Support Interviewer, Child Support Interviewer I/II
Bargaining Unit: General Rep
EEOC Category: 05
Occupational Grouping: 1102/07
Workers' Comp Code: 0053
Analyst: DTW, ES, TC
Revised Date(s): 10/81, 11/94, 10/00, 11/01