Child Support Specialist

About the Department

Position Duties

• Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned. Performs case management tasks to ensure the enforcement of court-ordered child support obligations in accordance with all Federal, State and County laws, rules, and policies. Duties include, but are not limited to: reviews applications for service; effectively interviews custodial and non-custodial parents and other parties to collect data relevant to a parent’s ability to pay support; location of absent parent; determines parents’ legal obligation to support their children in accordance with established procedures; and prepares legal documents to establish, enforce and/or modify child support objectives. Monitors cases for support order compliance. Makes adjustments and modifications as needed. Assists prosecuting attorney in collection of necessary data in preparation of cases for negotiation and litigation. Explains policies, procedures, and instructions in response to telephone or personal inquiries from clients, attorneys, and the public. Informs applicants of case status. Provides education, information and interprets agency programs to the community. May negotiate with clients and attorneys to promote settlements. Provides work direction and instructions to the Child Support Secretaries. Conducts genetic testing to establish paternity. Makes court appearances. Informs clients of alternative sources of assistance to meet needs. Documents case events on the computer system. Keeps informed of current federal, state, and legal agency rules, regulations, and policies and procedures as it pertains to child support enforcement. It is unlikely an employee will perform all the duties listed on a regular basis, nor is the list exhaustive in the sense it covers all the duties an employee may be required to perform. The examples are merely indicative, not restrictive. Supervisory Responsibilities This job has no supervisory responsibilities.
• Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
• Performs case management tasks to ensure the enforcement of court-ordered child support obligations in accordance with all Federal, State and County laws, rules, and policies. Duties include, but are not limited to: reviews applications for service; effectively interviews custodial and non-custodial parents and other parties to collect data relevant to a parent’s ability to pay support; location of absent parent; determines parents’ legal obligation to support their children in accordance with established procedures; and prepares legal documents to establish, enforce and/or modify child support objectives.
• Monitors cases for support order compliance. Makes adjustments and modifications as needed.
• Assists prosecuting attorney in collection of necessary data in preparation of cases for negotiation and litigation.
• Explains policies, procedures, and instructions in response to telephone or personal inquiries from clients, attorneys, and the public. Informs applicants of case status.
• Provides education, information and interprets agency programs to the community.
• May negotiate with clients and attorneys to promote settlements.
• Provides work direction and instructions to the Child Support Secretaries.
• Conducts genetic testing to establish paternity.
• Makes court appearances.
• Informs clients of alternative sources of assistance to meet needs.
• Documents case events on the computer system.
• Keeps informed of current federal, state, and legal agency rules, regulations, and policies and procedures as it pertains to child support enforcement.
• It is unlikely an employee will perform all the duties listed on a regular basis, nor is the list exhaustive in the sense it covers all the duties an employee may be required to perform. The examples are merely indicative, not restrictive.
• Supervisory Responsibilities
• This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Education and/or Experience Graduation from high school; completion of post-high school courses in an accredited paralegal program or Family law course desired; two years increasingly responsible office experience, preferably in a child support, law or court-related area; an equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities. Language Skills Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of clients, students or employees of the County. Mathematical Skills Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry. Reasoning Ability Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations Computer Skills To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of the internet, Spreadsheet and Word Processing software, and thorough knowledge of the KIDS computer system. Certificates, Licenses, Registrations None. Other Skills and Abilities Knowledge of the functions, procedures, organization, laws and regulations governing the administration of Child Support. Knowledge of resources available for obtaining needed information related to the agency's program. Ability to document in detail any findings and actions related to the agency’s program. Knowledge of modern office practices and procedures. Ability to establish and maintain effective public and working relationships. Ability to maintain confidentiality of information and resources as required by law and policy. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
• Qualifications To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Education and/or Experience
• Graduation from high school; completion of post-high school courses in an accredited paralegal program or Family law course desired; two years increasingly responsible office experience, preferably in a child support, law or court-related area; an equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Language Skills
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals. Ability to write routine reports and correspondence. Ability to speak effectively before groups of clients, students or employees of the County.
• Mathematical Skills
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, percentages, area, circumference, and volume. Ability to apply concepts of basic algebra and geometry.
• Reasoning Ability
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations
• Computer Skills
• To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of the internet, Spreadsheet and Word Processing software, and thorough knowledge of the KIDS computer system.
• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
• None.
• Other Skills and Abilities
• Knowledge of the functions, procedures, organization, laws and regulations governing the administration of Child Support.
• Knowledge of resources available for obtaining needed information related to the agency's program. Ability to document in detail any findings and actions related to the agency’s program.
• Knowledge of modern office practices and procedures.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective public and working relationships.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of information and resources as required by law and policy.
• Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.
• Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Benefits

• The benefits listed below represent an employee who works full-time (100%). Regular part-time employees working half time or more per week may be eligible to receive employee benefits on a prorated basis. Qualifying employees working an average of 30 hours per week are eligible to receive health insurance coverage at the same premium contribution level as regular full-time employees. The percentage of employment which has been established by the budget or Board, shall determine the benefit pro-ration, with the exception of Home Health Aides, who will be pro-rated in July of each year based on the percentage of full-time hours worked in the previous twelve (12) months. 1. PTO. (Paid Time Off). Calumet County's PTO Plan combines vacation, sick leave, holiday, and bereavement leave into a single leave plan – PTO. Newly hired full-time employees will be credited with six (6) days of PTO immediately upon hire. The accrual will be based on the employee's length of service with the County and the hours paid in a pay period. PTO may be carried over from year to year provided the balance does not exceed the maximum allowable amount. 2. ELB. (Extended Leave Bank). The Extended Leave Bank is a bank of time separate from PTO that is intended for use in situations where the employee is absent from work due to medical necessity lasting more than three (3) days, or for events qualifying under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA). 3. Holidays. The official County holidays are factored into the PTO Accrual as follows: New Year's Day, Friday before Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, the Day Before Christmas Day, Christmas Day, and the Day Before New Year's Day. 4. Insurance. Employees eligible to participate in a High Deductible Health Insurance Plan. The County pays ninety (90%) percent of the single or family premium for full time employees who complete the Wellness Program criteria. To assist in meeting deductibles, the County will also contribute, to an HSA, for eligible employees. Dental and Vision Insurance is also available. 5. PEHP. (Post Employment Health Plan). The County provides a PEHP for regular full-time and eligible regular part-time non-represented employees. The PEHP is a multi-employer trust (IRS Code 501(c)(9)). The plan allows for a tax-free pre-funding of post employment medical expenses. The County contributes a biweekly flat dollar amount per employee. Contributions will be allocated to the universal reimbursement sub-account. 6. Life Insurance. The County provides a life insurance policy to qualifying employees equal to the estimated calendar year earnings of the position, with the County paying the premium. Additional units of insurance are also available along with spouse and dependent coverage, with the employee paying the full premium. 7. Disability Insurance. Long-term and short-term disability insurance is available, with the employee paying the full premium. 8. Retirement Plan. The County provides a pension plan through the Wisconsin Retirement System. The County pays 50% of the actuarially required WRS contributions for qualifying general employees. 9. Section 125 Flexible Spending Program. The County provides a Section 125 Flexible Benefits Program wherein the employee may set aside pre-tax dollars to use for expenses not covered by insurance or for dependent care expenses. 10. Deferred Compensation Program. The County provides a Section 457 Deferred Compensation Program wherein pre-tax dollars can be deposited in an investment of the employee's choice through providers used by the County.
• The benefits listed below represent an employee who works full-time (100%). Regular part-time employees working half time or more per week may be eligible to receive employee benefits on a prorated basis. Qualifying employees working an average of 30 hours per week are eligible to receive health insurance coverage at the same premium contribution level as regular full-time employees. The percentage of employment which has been established by the budget or Board, shall determine the benefit pro-ration, with the exception of Home Health Aides, who will be pro-rated in July of each year based on the percentage of full-time hours worked in the previous twelve (12) months.
• 1. PTO. (Paid Time Off). Calumet County's PTO Plan combines vacation, sick leave, holiday, and bereavement leave into a single leave plan – PTO. Newly hired full-time employees will be credited with six (6) days of PTO immediately upon hire. The accrual will be based on the employee's length of service with the County and the hours paid in a pay period. PTO may be carried over from year to year provided the balance does not exceed the maximum allowable amount.
• 2. ELB. (Extended Leave Bank). The Extended Leave Bank is a bank of time separate from PTO that is intended for use in situations where the employee is absent from work due to medical necessity lasting more than three (3) days, or for events qualifying under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).
• 3. Holidays. The official County holidays are factored into the PTO Accrual as follows: New Year's Day, Friday before Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Day After Thanksgiving, the Day Before Christmas Day, Christmas Day, and the Day Before New Year's Day.
• 4. Insurance. Employees eligible to participate in a High Deductible Health Insurance Plan. The County pays ninety (90%) percent of the single or family premium for full time employees who complete the Wellness Program criteria. To assist in meeting deductibles, the County will also contribute, to an HSA, for eligible employees. Dental and Vision Insurance is also available.
• 5. PEHP. (Post Employment Health Plan). The County provides a PEHP for regular full-time and eligible regular part-time non-represented employees. The PEHP is a multi-employer trust (IRS Code 501(c)(9)). The plan allows for a tax-free pre-funding of post employment medical expenses. The County contributes a biweekly flat dollar amount per employee. Contributions will be allocated to the universal reimbursement sub-account.
• 6. Life Insurance. The County provides a life insurance policy to qualifying employees equal to the estimated calendar year earnings of the position, with the County paying the premium. Additional units of insurance are also available along with spouse and dependent coverage, with the employee paying the full premium.
• 7. Disability Insurance. Long-term and short-term disability insurance is available, with the employee paying the full premium.
• 8. Retirement Plan. The County provides a pension plan through the Wisconsin Retirement System. The County pays 50% of the actuarially required WRS contributions for qualifying general employees.
• 9. Section 125 Flexible Spending Program. The County provides a Section 125 Flexible Benefits Program wherein the employee may set aside pre-tax dollars to use for expenses not covered by insurance or for dependent care expenses.
• 10. Deferred Compensation Program. The County provides a Section 457 Deferred Compensation Program wherein pre-tax dollars can be deposited in an investment of the employee's choice through providers used by the County.