Child Support Specialist I (#MDDA01)
$38,770.00 Yearly Min / $48,463.00 Yearly Mid / $58,156.00 Yearly Max

Child Support Specialist II (#MDDA02)
$41,255.00 Yearly Min / $51,569.00 Yearly Mid / $61,883.00 Yearly Max

Child Support Specialist III (#MDDA03)
$46,714.00 Yearly Min / $58,393.00 Yearly Mid / $70,072.00 Yearly Max

Child Support Supervisor (#MDDA04)
$52,894.00 Yearly Min / $66,118.00 Yearly Mid / $79,342.00 Yearly Max

This class series uses four levels of work in the Health and Human Services occupational group, Human Services occupational series and describes work supporting family independence by establishing, modifying, and facilitating enforcement of court ordered child support payments/medical coverage. Work involves gathering information through client one-on-one interviews, review of various automated/on-line systems, and court documents and representing the state/assisting obligees during Family Court proceedings. Case histories are prepared and maintained through documentation of pertinent/on-going case information/changes. Case management ensures orderly progress of events, proper notification of involved parties, and administration of child support payments.     

Note: The career ladder incorporates Specialist levels I, II, III; therefore, all positions allocated to the Child Support Specialist career ladder are classified at the III level (highest level in the career ladder). The Child Support Specialist I level is to provide entry for hiring new employees into the class series but does not preclude hiring new employees at higher levels.  To implement the career ladder, current employees are assigned to the level for which they meet minimum qualifications and promotional standards. Employees may be promoted through the career ladder in accordance with promotional standards developed by the agency and approved by the Director of State Personnel. The promotional standards, a selection document under separate cover, set forth the criteria that identify, measure and verify successful performance at each level. Advancement of employees through the career ladder is dependent on operational needs and distribution of work. Therefore, all employees may not have the opportunity to advance to the III level at a given point in time.

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Interview obligees and assess their needs to determine the appropriate course of action. Update case records to include location of non-custodial parent and custodial parent, asset identification, and establishment of  paternity.
   
• Access multiple national, state, and local jurisdiction database systems to gather information for the processing, establishment, and enforcement of child support cases.
   
• Research/review obligees/obligors case record to prepare petitions, motions, wage attachments, and various legal documents.
   
• Review case record to answer questions from obligee/obligor, employers, in state and out-of-state agencies, and elected officials.  Document all inquiries in an automated system.
   
• Refer obligee/obligor to other public/private agencies for services appropriate for their needs.
   
• Maintain records and reports and shares information with other public/private agencies.
   
• Interview obligee/obligor to elicit sensitive information from persons of  various socio-economic backgrounds.
   
• May provide outreach/education programs by working with various public and private social service agencies, schools, and correctional facilities.
   
• Recognize crisis/dangerous situations and avoid/defuse through application of appropriate procedures/processes.

Child Support Specialist I

The Child Support Specialist I is the first level in this series. Positions report to a technical superior. Guidelines are available in the form of standard operating procedures and policy.

• Work is similar to the Specialist II level but assignments are structured and performed with close supervision.  This level performs the full range of fundamental case processing activities. Carries out established work processes/operations.
• Monitors and reviews case status and various legal documents to determine appropriate next steps in case processing. Confers with Specialist III/Supervisor regarding complex cases. Drafts appropriate documentation and notes.
• Informs obligee/obligor of other social services for which they may qualify.
• Observes/learns from work of higher level Specialist through various methods. (For example, Family Court proceedings, serving on various task force committees, and special projects).
• Initiates sanctions against obligees receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) should the obligee refuse to cooperate with processes to determine paternity, or refuse to relinquish direct payments provided by the non-custodial parent (NCP). Sanctions can result in reduction/elimination of cash grants, Medicaid benefits, and food stamps. Considers case history to determine if obligee is exempt from full cooperation because contact with the NCP is likely to result in violence. In this instance, authorizes the Family Violence Indicator which curtails implementation of sanctions.
• Drafts appropriate legal documents to establish paternity, child support, and medical support.  Documents are referred to DAG for court action.
• Typical contacts are with obligee/obligor, internal/external agency staff, and with others outside the supervisory chain regardless of the method of communication for the purpose of coordinating and gathering information, and explaining steps required for court ordered child support.

Child Support Specialist II

This is child support work at the full performance level. Positions typically report to a technical superior.

• Performs the full range of activities required to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, rules, and regulations regarding the federally mandated enforcement of child support. Work is reviewed randomly or when problems are noted. Confers with Specialist III/Supervisor regarding complex cases that involve researching/interpreting the laws and regulations of multiple states, other countries/territories, and local jurisdictions.  Assistance is also sought to review cases in which an obligor has multiple orders, multiple employers, and employer provided benefits. 
• Independently monitors case status via automated systems, reviews various legal documents, analyzes case status, determines appropriate next steps, and drafts appropriate legal documents to establish paternity, ensure support compliance, and modify existing support orders.
• Represents the State at Family Court mediation to recoup public assistance funds, and establish an ongoing support order. Attends Family Court mediation to assist non-public assistance (NPA) obligees by explaining the mediation process and discussing the various available options.
• Typical contacts are with obligee/obligor, internal/external agency staff, Attorney General staff, and Family Court staff to gather, coordinate, and provide information, and to explain case proceedings/status.

Child Support Specialist III

At this level, positions function as lead within the child support program. Positions typically report to a technical superior.

• Positions at this level are technical experts in all child support Federal and State laws, rules, and regulations.
• Provides technical guidance, one-on-one, assisting others in knowledge/skills development.
• Performs quality assurance for selected cases and recommends the next step case processing, systemic changes and/or corrective action. Responds to problems/questions requiring detailed review of case history.
• Maintains contact with obligee/obligor, internal/external agency staff, Attorney General staff, Family Court staff, and elected officials for the purpose of case analysis, explanation, and quality control.

Child Support Supervisor

This is child support work at the supervisory level. Positions typically report to an administrative superior.

• Supervision is exercised over at least two or more merit, full time positions (per the Merit Rules), one of which must be in the child support series and cannot be limited to contractual staff. The elements of supervision include planning, assigning, reviewing, evaluating, mentoring, training, and recommending hire/fire, discipline. Supervision must include responsibility as needed, for providing documentation to support recommended corrective and disciplinary actions, developing performance plans, signing performance plans and appraisals, and resolving informal grievances.
• Provides input on the development, implementation and evaluation of program policies and procedures: Establishes and implements procedures for the efficient processing of cases.
• Supervisors function as technical experts.
• Maintains contact with obligee/obligor, internal/external agency staff, Attorney General staff, Family Court staff, and elected officials for the purpose of case analysis, explanation, and quality control.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class.

• Knowledge of federal/state laws, rules, and regulations applicable to child support/public assistance programs.
• Knowledge of the preparation of legal documents.
• Knowledge of multiple data base systems applications.
• Knowledge of the Delaware Child Support Formula (Melson Formula).
• Knowledge of crisis intervention and needs assessment techniques.
• Skill in eliciting sensitive information both in person and via telephone, and obtaining information through automated systems.
• Skill in communicating complex issues both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to analyze complex problems and develop viable solutions.

In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Child Support Specialist II requires:

• Knowledge of the processes and principles of Family Court, related social service programs, and applicable legal action/terminology. 
• Knowledge of case management including interstate/international rules and regulations regarding reciprocity.
• Ability to navigate through the Family Court processes/procedures.

In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Child Support Specialist III requires:

• Knowledge of processes employed to analyze the most complex cases and to determine appropriate action.
• Skill in guiding all staff, one-on-one in knowledge and skill development.
• Skill in interpreting/applying Family Court processes
• Skill in interpreting/applying program applicable Federal/State laws, rules, and regulations.
• Ability to identify staff training needs.
• Ability to identify and research systemic deficiencies and recommend correction.

In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Child Support Supervisor requires:

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision.
• Knowledge of Division policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of methods and techniques used in preparing statistical report related to identification and analysis of patterns/trends.
• Knowledge of social services programs and the impact on Child Support  programs/issues.
• Skill in identifying, researching, and recommending methods for correcting systemic deficiencies.
• Ability to organize and develop plans to improve productivity and
  increase collections. 

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Child Support Specialist I
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

• Possession of an Associates degree or higher in Behavioral or Social Science or related field.
   

            OR

1. Six months experience in case management which includes assessing, planning, developing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating options and services to meet an individual's human service needs.
2. Six months experience in interviewing clients and their families to obtain facts, explore issues and identify courses of action.
3. Six months experience in applying laws, rules, regulations, standards, policies and procedures.
4. Six months experience in using an automated information system to enter, update, modify, delete, retrieve/inquire and report on data.
5. Six months experience in narrative report writing.
6. Knowledge of math such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, or decimals