Child Support Agent

Gaston Social Services:
Protecting, caring for and empowering children and adults who are temporarily or permanently unable to care for themselves through the administrating of federal, state and county programs focused on improving the well-being of our citizens.

The goal of the Gaston County Human Services Center and Division of Social Services is to foster an agency which is professionally responsive to our citizens' needs through daily caring outreach and simultaneously serve as an advocate for those in need. We strive to be community-minded and community-spirited. We abide by federal, state and county operating instructions in providing services and we assist welfare recipients in attaining self-sufficiency.

The anticipated hiring range for this position is $20.43 - $24.26

The duties listed below are not all of the duties that may be assigned but are those that are considered as essential for an employee to perform.

• Interview applicants, explain program requirements and procedures. Use various methods to obtain and verify data and documents to locate non-custodial parents. Counsel with clients and non-custodial parents explaining the laws and procedures regarding paternity and their responsibility for the dependent child(ren) and the various remedies available through voluntary agreements and court actions to establish child support orders.
• Gather information and evidence relative to case management, establish paternity and negotiate prospective payment plans and obligations with custodial and non-custodial parents. Meets with magistrates, Judges, attorneys and law enforcement personnel to establish paternity and court ordered support obligations. Prepare case documents for court hearings and provide assistance to the Child Support Attorney, testifying in court as needed. Prepare and write court orders and other legal documents to be reviewed by the Child Support Attorney.
  
  Performing DNA testing when necessary.

• Solve problems, concerns, answer inquiries by communication with custodial parents and non-custodial parents through appointments, walk-ins, emails and telephone calls. Write narrative reports regarding case activity documenting those events and actions taken in Child Support computer system (ACTS) to establish or enforce court ordered support obligations. Process Income Withholding documents.

• Meet State and Local goals in the five incentive areas:
  Paternity Established, Cases Under Order, Current Support Collected, Payment toward Arrears, and Total Collections, based on assigned area of specialty;
  Establishment, Enforcement, Interstate, Modifications, or Foster Care.
• Must be available to work mandatory emergency shelters & other duties as assigned.

• Graduation with a high school diploma or GED equivalency with two (2) years of experience in eligibility, investigative, judicial, or paralegal work.
• An Associate Degree in human resources or related field may substitute for 1 year of experience.
• A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university may substitute for required experience.
• Must have a valid driver's license.

The applicant selected must undergo a criminal background check and pass a drug screening test prior to employment. In compliance with G.S. 153A-94.2 (b), if the position being filled requires an applicant for employment to work with children in any capacity, the County must require the applicant, if offered the position, to be subject to a criminal history record check conducted by the SBI.

These checks must be performed in accordance with G.S.143B-1209.26, which authorizes the SBI to provide fingerprint-based state and national criminal record checks to cities and counties.