Child Support Specialist I (#RL1001)
$21.19-$25.76 Hourly / $3,672.98-$4,464.54 Monthly / $44,075.86-$53,574.48 Yearly

Under immediate supervision, learns and performs a wide variety of child support duties within the Department of Child Support Services; generally maintains a caseload; and performs related or other work as required in accordance with Rule 3, Section 3 of the Civil Service Rules.

This is the entry-level class in the Child Support Specialist series. Incumbents in this class work under close supervision to learn child support laws, regulations and procedures, and acquire the skills to perform a broad range of child support casework activities through on-the-job training. An employee of this class is responsible for collecting information and applying the procedures needed to establish and enforce child support obligations. As incumbents acquire knowledge and skills, they carry out their assignments with greater independence. Work is performed in accordance with established rules and procedures and is reviewed for accuracy and compliance within provisions of the law. Upon successful completion of one year as a Child Support Specialist I, incumbents are eligible to move to the journey-level class of Child Support Specialist II.

• Manages a general child support caseload in accordance with state and federal regulations; maintains accurate record of case contacts and events; utilizes resources and travels, as needed, to obtain information from case participants, family members, witnesses, law enforcement, agencies or institutions, and attorneys for the benefit of establishing paternity, locating absent parents, and determining financial status.
• Prepares and maintains forms, applications, case files, and other records pertinent to each child support case; accesses computer-based information systems to monitor/maintain case management and payment records; inputs and/or updates data to maintain current records and ensures appropriate record keeping for audits.
• Establishes terms for support in arrears payment plans and monitors payment records to ensure compliance with court order.
• Receives and resolves minor complaints concerning cases and responds to inquiries from the public. Elevates more complex complaint issues as needed.
• Conducts, responds to, or initiates personal interviews, telephone contacts, electronic notices and work lists, mail inquiries, or any other means to compile necessary information in preparation for legal action to establish paternity and/or support; utilizes various tools and resources to locate individuals and assets.
• Establishes an enforceable judgment or order using California State Guidelines; determines appropriate enforcement action by evaluating the facts of the case.
• Recommends cases for court, prepares legal documents for court filing, assists attorneys in preparing cases, attends court hearings, and testifies in court as necessary.
• Provides case status information and explains child support statutes, regulations, and procedures to participants and other agencies; coordinates with other agencies; and attends outreach events to provide information related to child support services.
• Arranges for and/or administers paternity testing.
• May work to establish/update financial accounts; performs adjustments and audits to ensure compliance; and provides direction to ensure the accuracy of accounting data in the case file.

General principles of casework; principles of interviewing, and fundamental aspects of human behavior; information systems and computers; general collections procedures; basic arithmetic to perform calculations and understand financial records; customer service techniques; standard office procedures and practices.

Follow oral and written directions; read, learn, and understand laws, codes, ordinances, and regulations related to child support; learn to research, gather, record and evaluate legal, financial, and other records sufficiently to obtain data needed to secure and enforce child support cases; recognize relevant/significant facts to formulate appropriate decisions; communicate effectively in writing (including spelling, vocabulary, sentence and paragraph structure); communicate and work effectively with persons from a wide variety of ethnic and social backgrounds; present information at meetings; develop strategic techniques to question, interview, counsel, and advise participants; deal tactfully, courteously, and firmly in stressful situations with hostile and/or uncooperative individuals; organize work and establish priorities according to departmental operating requirements; effectively manage time and resources to perform/prioritize multiple tasks; foster a spirit of team work and support when interacting with other staff, outside agencies and public to maximize support in accordance with established policies and procedures; establish and maintain working relationships with agency staff, general public, and community employers; facilitate job development and opportunities; maintain confidentiality; contribute and maintain the department’s mission and culture.

Mobility - Frequent operation of computers; repetitive motion; sitting for extended periods; walking; occasional driving may be required; Lifting - frequently 5 pounds or less; occasionally 5 to 30 pounds; Vision - constant good overall vision and reading/close-up work; frequent color perception and use of eye/hand coordination; occasional use of depth perception and peripheral vision; Dexterity - normal dexterity with frequent writing and repetitive motions; Hearing/Talking - frequent hearing and talking on the telephone and in person; Emotional/Psychological -frequent decision making, concentration and public contract; occasional exposure to grief; Special Requirements-some assignments may require working weekends, nights, and/or occasional overtime.