Child Support Specialist - Senior

This is a promotional recruitment - only permanent and/or probationary County employees are eligible to apply.

Placer County offers a comprehensive benefits package to employees. The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. Applicants should inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.

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For more information regarding the benefits Placer County has to offer, please visit Placer County's Human Resources website.

To perform the more difficult or complex work in interviewing, collecting and recording a variety of documents, including legal and financial information from individuals involved in child support cases; to establish child support obligation(s) and the ability to pay; to review cases and payment records for compliance with court orders and initiate remedial steps to assure compliance; and to act in a lead role by assigning, reviewing and coordinating the work of assigned subordinate Child Support Specialists and serving as first point of contact with respect to questions regarding policies, procedures laws and regulations.

This is the advanced journey level class in the Child Support Specialist series.  Positions at this level are distinguished from other classes within the series by the level of responsibility assumed, complexity of duties assigned, independence of action taken, by the amount of time spent performing the duties and by the nature of the public contact made.  Employees perform the most difficult and responsible types of duties assigned to classes within this series including acting in a lead capacity, performing specialized assignments as determined by the Child Support Supervisor and reviewing the most complex child support cases. Employees at this level are required to be fully trained in all procedures related to assigned area of responsibility.

Receives direction from the Child Support Supervisor.

Exercises technical and functional supervision over technical and clerical staff.

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Assign, review and coordinate work performed by subordinate Child Support Specialists.
• Prepare the more complex and sensitive cases;  conduct, respond to, or initiate personal and/or telephone interviews with involved parties concerning child support matters; verify information given on application forms; maintain case files; prepare correspondence; contact or locate parents by telephone or letter; contact persons or agencies for information regarding validity of case data and information pertinent to the whereabouts of the parents; determine income of the parents and determine amount of child support in arrears; explain and initiate support agreements with the parents.
• Perform specialized assignments or projects as determined by the needs of the Department.
• Review, prepare, complete and submit 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.
• Track and report to supervisory staff on the performance, progress and training needs of employees; orient and participate in the training of subordinate staff.
• Conduct case audit and quality control of child support cases. 
• Assist subordinate staff in the determinations of child support; function as a technical or subject matter expert assisting staff in the interpretation of regulations to resolve complex child support determination problems.
• Prepare evidence for legal staff and may assist during court appearance by gathering information from participants; review cases and make recommendations for appropriate child support action; may testify in court regarding case records.
• Participate in the development and implementation of Department policies, procedures and program activities.
• Monitor subordinate staff caseloads to assure dispositions are made in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
• Prepare reports and special studies; prepare daily log on contacts regarding non-support information or other possible violations; may file affidavits relative to child support and welfare fraud referrals.
• Provide general information to the public; make referrals to appropriate agencies regarding enforcement of criminal and civil matters, visitation and related domestic problems.
• Keep current regarding changes in laws pertaining to child support enforcement.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

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: Three years of increasingly responsible experience in a public or private agency involved in the interpretation, understanding or application of Child Support laws including one year performing the duties similar to a Child Support Specialist II.

Training: Equivalent to the completion of the twelfth grade. 

Knowledge of:

• Interviewing principles and techniques.
• Modern office procedures, methods and computer equipment.
• Principles and practices of leadership, motivation, team building and conflict resolution.
• Principles and practices of effective lead supervision, including training staff and the assignment and review of work.
• Case management and legal requirements affecting the processing of child support cases.
• Correct English usage, spelling, grammar and punctuation.
• Business letter writing.
• Advanced principles and practices of customer service. 

Ability to:

• Act in a lead capacity over staff involved in resolving large numbers of child support cases and receive and respond to staff questions regarding the interpretation and application of child support laws, regulations and rules and department policies and procedures. 
• 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.
• Obtain information through interviews and deal fairly and courteously with the public.
• Plan and maintain adequate records and procedures.
• Understand and apply complex laws and regulations affecting child support activities.
• Analyze and evaluate customer information including financial data, statements and other information.
• Complete and produce a variety of routine legal documents and forms as they relate to the establishment and enforcement of child support. 
• Compose general correspondence and letters.
• Work independently in the absence of direct supervision; effectively prioritize work and apply sound time management principles.
• Perform mathematical calculations accurately and rapidly.
• Draw logical conclusions and make proper recommendations.
• Analyze situations quickly and objectively and to determine proper course of action.
• 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.
• Apply principles of customer service.
• Exercise problem-solving with sound independent judgment.
• Maintain strict confidentiality.
• Type at a speed necessary for successful job performance.
• 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.

Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training, and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

The eligible list resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey level) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination, and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer, and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race (including traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), color, ancestry, religion (including creed and belief), national origin, citizenship, physical disability (including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (including cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over),  marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including parental status, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, and related medical conditions), political orientation, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact Preciosa Ayala-Burkhardt, Administrative Technician, at payala@placer.ca.gov or (530) 886-4637.