Child Support Agent

Date Posted: 11/24/2025 Department: DSS Salary Grade: 64 Compensation: $38,724

Hours:

Full-time Deadline:
Open until filled

A Child Support Agent is responsible for establishing, enforcing, and monitoring child support cases to ensure children receive the financial support they are entitled to. This position locates non‑custodial parents, facilitates paternity and order establishment, initiates enforcement actions, and maintains accurate case records in compliance with state and federal regulations. The agent provides professional and confidential customer service to families, collaborates with courts and partner agencies, prepares necessary documentation, and supports overall program performance and goals.

• Required:
  • Legal Knowledge:
    Thorough understanding of child support enforcement processes, applicable laws (e.g., N.C. General Statutes), and courtroom procedures.
  • Investigative
    
    Skills:
    
    Strong ability to investigate cases and interview clients or absent parents.
  • Communication:
    Excellent interpersonal skills to negotiate, direct, and gather accurate information from clients and other stakeholders.
  • Analytical
    
    Skills:
    
    Ability to organize, analyze, and summarize case details accurately.
• Desirable:
  • Math
    
    Skills:
    
    Basic proficiency to manage calculations related to support obligations.
  • Relationship‑Building:
    Ability to work effectively with a wide range of people including clients, parents, court officials, and legal teams.

• Work Environment:
  Office setting, though occasional court involvement and fieldwork (e.g., locating absent parents) may occur.
• Challenges:
  Frequent contact with potentially hostile clients and absent parents, some of whom may be dangerous.

• Option 1: A four‑year degree and six months of relevant experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary, or legal work.
• Option 2:
  An associate’s degree in business administration, human resources, law enforcement, or related fields, along with two years of relevant experience.
• Option 3: A high school diploma and three years of experience in a related field.
• Option 4:
  Equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Candidates with experience in eligibility, investigative, or legal work would be ideal.
• Backgrounds in human services or criminal justice may be particularly relevant.

• Independence and Accountability:
  You will be making critical decisions regarding case handling and enforcement, with significant impact on the financial and legal outcomes for families involved.
• Courtroom Role:
  You must be prepared to support legal teams in preparing cases and, when necessary, testify in court.
• Client Interaction:
  You’ll need strong negotiation and communication skills, and the ability to handle sometimes difficult or hostile situations.

Benefited after 30 days

• Medical, dental, and life insurance
• Sick, vacation, and holiday pay
• Membership in the Local Government Retirement System
• Supplemental retirement 401(k)/457

PRE-EMPLOYMENT DRUG SCREENING AND BACKGROUND CHECK IS REQUIRED

APPLICANTS WILL BE GIVEN CREDIT ONLY FOR INFORMATION PROVIDED IN RESPONSE TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. No additional information will be solicited by the McDowell County; therefore, persons who submit incomplete applications may not receive full credit for their education, training and experience.

McDowell County is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy of the County to recruit, hire, train and promote individuals without regard to age, sex, race, color, religion, political affiliation or national origin. The County will interactively work with disabled applicants and employees to identify reasonable accommodations that will allow the individual to perform essential job functions.

McDowell County participates in E-Verify.

McDowell County Administration Building:

in person at the County Administration building: