Child Support Specialist

Job Summary

Work closely within assigned team and with case participants to initiate and establish paternity, child support and medical support, and to modify and enforce existing orders throughout the life of a IV-D case. This position requires individual judgment, initiative, and knowledge in carrying out the mission and responsibilities of the Racine County Office of Child Support Services (OCSS).

Review KIDS (and/or any other child support data system) for referrals from IV-A and IV-E through CARES/KIDS interface as well as applications for services to determine if there is an existing IV-D case and determine appropriate child support services. Perform all tasks of child support services including but not limited to paternity establishment, actions to establish child support and medical support obligations, locate research, modification of existing orders, enforcement of existing orders, and various financial tasks when needed.

Contact and effectively communicate with custodial and non-custodial parents, relatives, friends, employers and other governmental and nongovernmental sources to gather information required in the course of child support enforcement/modification and paternity activities while exercising appropriate professional discretion.

Perform necessary locate work and contact appropriate sources such as employers, public tax records and governmental/nongovernmental records, to determine income, assets, and other relevant information.

Generate appropriate correspondence, forms, orders, and legal documents for child support, paternity and juvenile court matters. Prepare legal documents for electronic filing with Circuit Court, and prepare and monitor service of process documents.

Process mail, answer correspondence and phone calls, interpret court orders and respond to inquiries regarding child support services, while effectively providing allowable information to clients, governmental/nongovernmental entities and the public.

Work in a team setting with individuals within the OCSS, while maintaining a professional atmosphere. Perform reception and clerical duties when needed. Coordinate cases with attorneys for any court activity.

Perform all tasks to schedule, organize and execute appointments as well as conduct interviews, appointments and walk-in appointments for the purpose of establishing paternity, support or to enforce existing court orders. Perform computer data entry and review information in KIDS (and/or any other child support data system) and perform all child support related tasks necessary to each IV-D case. Maintain and coordinate enforcement activity on all assigned cases on KIDS.

Work special projects, tasks and reports as assigned by the management team.

Supervision Received:
Receives direct supervision from the Team Supervisor assigned to specialty area, and supervision generally from the Operational Supervisor and the Director, and legal guidance from the attorneys.

• High School Diploma
• Experience in conducting interviews and gathering information preferred
• Work experience in the use of personal computer and Microsoft Office programs.
• Experience in maintaining large volume caseload in an effective, organized, professional manner performing a variety of tasks required for child support enforcement and paternity establishment.
• Prompt and regular attendance.
• Or and equivalent combination of education, training, and experience, which provides the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities.

• Experience with computer programs to include Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel
• Experience in accounting or reading data system financial accounts preferred.
• Ability to evaluate information and exercise judgment in making decisions regarding OCSS issues such as enforcement of child support and paternity establishment in the best interests of the public.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing, within the bounds of confidentiality.
• Ability to effectively find information using governmental and nongovernmental sources.
• Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to child support.
• Legal knowledge through education and experience to interpret and implement all child support and paternity court orders.
• Ability to evaluate information and exercise independent judgment in making decisions regarding the enforcement of child support and establishing paternity while receiving supervision and working suitably with a child support team.
• Ability to appropriately and professionally represent the OCSS, county and state in performing assigned duties and responsibilities following office policies and procedures.