Child Support Agent I

Primary Purpose of Position:  This position is part of the Child Support Unit and the primary purpose is to provide initiation and organization of Child Support Establishment duties.  These duties include interviewing clients, explaining the program, obtaining data regarding the absent parent, determining the course of action, locating the absent parent, and establishing voluntary paternity and/or support obligations through the court system.  The agency will gather evidence for suits, draft proper papers, evaluate testimony and evidence, and determine the necessity of court action. Description of Work: This position intensively utilizes an automated computer system to coordinate child support cases, including:  inputting and accessing case data; applying federal and state regulations to initiate, locate, establish and enforce actions; maintaining history of actions taken; monitoring payments; and preparing correspondence, reports, and legal documents.  Employee will interview custodial and non-custodial parents, witnesses, family members, representatives from law enforcement agencies and attorneys to obtain statements and gather information to establish paternity, locate absent parents, and determine financial status; and explains to non-custodial parties or other involved parties the calculation of support amounts, obligations and legal requirements.  CSA I performs activities using sources such as the postal service, financial institutions, state and federal parent locator services, and military locator services in order to locate absent parents and/or their assets; verifies information by contacting individuals or agencies by correspondence or telephone; and initiates, receives, and responds to inquiries concerning cases where custodial or non-custodial parent resides in another state. CSA I analyzes case data to determine, within established guidelines, the need for legal action to establish, enforce, or modify orders for support; initiates legal action through preparation of documents such as orders of examination, contempt actions, wage assignments, writs of execution, and subpoenas; prepares evidence and testifies in court as necessary; and assists legal staff in preparing case data for prosecution and litigation.  Employee evaluates income and expense data of non-custodial parent to determine support capability; enters data into computer to determine payment amounts and interest; calculates arrearage amounts; prepares case summaries and histories; compiles, processes and checks pertinent accounting records; reviews and monitors assigned cases to ensure support obligations are being met and that individuals are in compliance with court orders; and recommends case closure. Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities:  The Agent needs considerable knowledge of the Child Support Enforcement Program and applicable legal procedures; ability to interview clients, absent parents and related sources and to investigate cases; considerable ability to organize, analyze and summarize case information; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with client and absent parents, location resources, offices of the Clerk of Court, Magistrates, District Attorney, Sheriff, other court officials and private attorneys and should possess basic math skills. Minimum Training and Experience Required:  Graduation from high school and two years of experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary or legal work that provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work; or an associate degree in business administration, human resources, law enforcement or closely related degree and one year of experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary or legal work that provides the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary to perform the work; or a four-year degree; or an equivalent combination of education and experience. All DSS positions are subject to reallocation contingent upon funding, agency needs and client population and are subject to perform work during emergency or disaster situations as required and may be required to staff shelter overnight.