Child Support Specialist III - Promotional

This recruitment is promotional only. You must presently be a full or part-time regular or probationary County of Sonoma, Community Development Commission, Sonoma County Fairgrounds, or Sonoma County Water Agency employee in order to apply for this position.

As a Child Support Specialist III, you will serve in a lead capacity, training and mentoring Child Support Specialist I and II staff while managing complex child support cases and performing specialized functions. You will collaborate with supervisors, attorneys, and other staff to support case resolution and departmental initiatives. Additional responsibilities will include:

• Processing payments and preparing legal documents, court orders, forms, and case correspondence
• Preparing case files for attorneys and attending court proceedings
• Interviewing case participants and providing customer service to resolve inquiries and concerns
• Utilizing child support case management systems to document case activities and coordinate court events
• Participating in performance improvement initiatives and community outreach events

The ideal candidate will possess sound judgment, strong interpersonal skills, and a commitment to public service. They will also possess many of the following:

• Multiple years of experience with child support case management practices and procedures
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal
• Strong interviewing, problem-solving, and customer service skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft 365 applications and computerized case management systems
• The ability to remain calm, empathetic, and professional when assisting individuals in difficult or stressful situations

Experience which would provide the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, one year of full-time experience as a Child Support Officer II with Sonoma County or equivalent position in another county would provide such opportunity.

Academic course work which relates to the knowledge and abilities listed. Normally, this includes courses in investigation, interviewing, paralegal or legal assistant and social and behavioral sciences.

Possession of a valid driver's license at the appropriate level, including necessary endorsements as required by the State of California to perform the essential job functions of the position. The position advertised on this announcement does not require possession of a valid California Driver’s License.

The ability to speak, read and write Spanish fluently may be required for certain job assignments.

government codes and established policies, procedures and regulations which pertain to the collection and enforcement of child support payments; child support collection procedures and methods of collecting and adjusting delinquent accounts; legal terminology; legal forms and documents used to enforce support; methods and techniques used for effectively locate non‑custodial parents, relatives and related persons; interviewing principles and techniques used for obtaining factual information;

financial record keeping procedures; modern office practices and procedures; information systems used in the establishment and enforcement of child support laws.

procedures, laws, and methods related specialized child support programs, activities and collection methods such as establishing and enforcing interstate and international child support cases, filing, negotiating and releasing liens; tax intercepts; driver=s license suspension, and related programs; community services and resources of use to case participants.

apply federal, state or local laws, ordinances, codes, procedures and rules in order to secure current and delinquent child support payments and establish paternity; effectively interview individuals in order to secure information required to collect support payments; explain legal rights, alternatives, and implications of chosen action to affected parties; be sensitive to the needs, attitudes and problems of clients from a variety of socio‑economic backgrounds;

understand and use a variety of specialized child support collection methods; resolve formal and informal complaints and problems including credit reporting disputes, problems with tax intercepts, driver's license suspensions, and other issues; effectively use computer and other resources to prepare and manage cases;…