Placer County

To interview, collect and record a variety of legal and related documents, including financial information from individuals involved in child support cases; to establish support obligation(s) including determining the ability to pay and resolving payment issues; to review cases and payment records for compliance; to prepare and produce court documents specific to child support obligations including payment and medical support; and to initiate remedial steps to assure compliance.

Child Support Specialist I
This is the entry level class in the Child Support Specialist series.  This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series.  Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level.  Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience.  Employees work under immediate supervision while learning job tasks.

Child Support Specialist II 
This is the full journey level class within the Child Support Specialist series.  This class is distinguished from the Child Support Specialist I by the assignment of the full range of duties.  Employees at this level receive only occasional instruction or assistance as new or unusual situations arise and are fully aware of the operating procedures and policies within the work unit.  Positions in this class are flexibly staffed and are normally filled by advancement from the entry level.
This class is distinguished from the Senior Child Support Specialist in that the latter is responsible for the management of the most complex cases and acts in a lead capacity.

Child Support Specialist I
Receives immediate supervision from the Child Support Supervisor and technical and functional supervision from a Senior Child Support Specialist.

Child Support Specialist II
Receives general supervision from the Child Support Supervisor and technical and functional supervision from a Senior Child Support Specialist.

Exercises technical and functional supervision over clerical staff.

• Conduct, respond to, or initiate personal and/or telephone interview with involved parties concerning child support matters; collect, review and verify information shown on application forms; maintain case files; draft letters to individuals and agencies to obtain information; contact persons or agencies for information regarding validity of case data and information pertinent to the whereabouts of parents; explain and initiate support agreements with parents and enforce existing support orders.
• Apply federal, state and local laws, ordinance, rules and procedures to secure current and delinquent child support payments.
• Compile background documentation and information; examine financial background and determine ability to pay; attempt to secure stipulated agreements..
• Prepare, complete and submit routine legal and related documentation and forms in order to establish and/or enforce court orders, including but not limited to orders of examination, contempt citations, writs of execution, wage assignments, summons, complaints, notice of motions and warrants.
• Locate parents by checking various sources such as current address, past and present employers, commercially prepared reference materials and services and other governmental agency data.
• Review cases, payment records and complaints concerning failure to provide child support and initiate remedial enforcement actions to assure compliance with court orders.
• Provide routine support to attorneys in preparation for court including, but not limited to, preparing guideline calculations, contacting parties in an attempt to reach agreements and ensuring their presence at court; attend court hearings and prepare, review and serve court orders.
• Utilize a variety of local and state-wide databases to locate parents and research information regarding assets, income, and liabilities.
• Receive and respond to questions regarding general child support laws, court orders, rules, regulations and policies.
• May be requested to assist with on-the-job training of newly hired staff regarding routine policies and procedures.
• Complete necessary financial instructions to initiate support processes; conduct audits to ensure correctness of financial information and payments; receive, research and respond to questions from customers.
• Follow appropriate procedures to protect the rights and confidentiality of parties.
• Prepare documentation in establishing paternity.
• Prepare daily logs and evidence for legal staff; review cases and make recommendations for appropriate legal actions; may testify in court regarding case records.
• Prepare correspondence and maintain files as necessary.
• Provide general information to the public; make referrals to appropriate agencies regarding enforcement of criminal and civil procedures, visitation and related domestic problems.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

Child Support Specialist I

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two years of responsible journey level clerical experience that includes substantial public contact involving interviewing customers, obtaining financial and personal history information.  Experience preparing legal documents or performing collection duties is desirable.

Training:  Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Required License or Certificate:

• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.                                                                                                              

Child Support Specialist II

Experience and Training
Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the required knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience: Two years of responsible interviewing experience in a public or private agency which involved the interpretation, understanding or application of Child Support laws.

Or:

Two years as a Child Support Specialist I with Placer County.

Training:  Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade.

Required License or Certificate:

• May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position.  Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.  

Child Support Specialist I

Knowledge of:

• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• Correct English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Business letter writing.
• Principles and practices of customer service.
• Basic mathematical principles. 

Ability to:

• Learn proper interviewing techniques and applications.
• Continuously, review case documents related to child support activities; interview individuals or parties; identify necessary documentation needed per legal requirements; problem solve case status and developments; understand and interpret Department policies and procedures; explain operations to the public.
• On a continuous basis, sit at desk and/or stand at counter for long periods of time.  Intermittently twist and reach office equipment; kneel or twist to retrieve files; write or use keyboard to communicate through written means; lift light weight. 
• Learn to plan and maintain adequate records and procedures.
• Learn to understand and apply complex laws and regulations affecting child support activities.
• Compose general correspondence and letters.
• Learn to work independently in the absence of direct supervision; effectively prioritize work and apply sound time management principles.
• Learn to analyze, evaluate and process customer information including financial data from an extensive case load while ensuring compliance with time frames and regulatory requirements.
• Perform mathematical calculations accurately and rapidly.
• Learn to complete and produce a variety of routine legal documents and forms as they relate to the establishment and enforcement of child support. 
• Learn to analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine proper course of action.
• Learn to exercise problem-solving abilities with sound independent judgment.
• Type at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• Operate a variety of office equipment including computer equipment, cameras with ancillary equipment, and other equipment.
• Maintain a calm and unbiased perspective when interviewing customers.
• Maintain strict confidentiality.
• Apply principles of customer service. 
• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.

Child Support Specialist II

In addition to the qualifications for the Child Support Specialist I:

Knowledge of:

• Interviewing principles and techniques.
• Case management and legal requirements affecting the processing of child support cases.
• Organization and processing of child support cases.
• Policies, laws, procedures and regulations related to the establishment and enforcement of child support.

Ability to:

• Manage a child support caseload.
• Obtain information through interview and investigation while exhibiting fair and courteous treatment of the public.
• Mediate between parties in an attempt to seek agreement on child support matters.
• Plan and maintain adequate records and procedures.
• Understand and apply complex laws and regulations affecting child support activities.
• Analyze and evaluate statements and other information.
• Work independently in the absence of direct supervision; effectively prioritize work, apply sound time management principles, and transition between different job duties throughout the day.
• Analyze, evaluate and process customer information including financial data from an extensive case load while ensuring compliance with time frames and regulatory requirements.
• Draw logical conclusions and make proper recommendations.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine proper course of action.