Child Support Specialist

Dunn County is looking for a Child Support Specialist to join our team! If you’re ready to make a meaningful difference for children and families, this role offers the opportunity to manage cases, establish and enforce child support obligations, establish paternity, and provide valuable services to Dunn County residents.

The anticipated starting wage is between $28.41/hr and $30.62/hr.

Primary Responsibilities

The following duties are primarily performed and are essential for this position.  Employees are expected to be able to perform each of these job duties satisfactorily and successfully to be qualified for the position.   Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Manages an assigned caseload complying with required performance measure timelines associated with the various case types.  
• Maintains files including those of a highly sensitive and confidential nature.
• Make initial assessment of case venue and jurisdiction before determining the appropriate course of action for case management, assesses what is required to meet legal requirements for establishing paternity, establishing financial & medical support orders and the enforcement of those orders.  
• Determines ability to pay and calculates a support obligation by researching and interpreting various financial records and information (tax returns, pay stubs, financial disclosures, wage letters), placement schedules, and serial family obligations when applying the appropriate Percentage of Income Standard in accordance with DCF 150, Wis. Admin. Code.  
• Establish orders for parent(s) to provide employer sponsored private health insurance for their child(ren) when coverage is available at a reasonable cost as defined by the state. 
• Performs investigative searches to locate absent parents’ address, employment, income, and asset information using various sources.
• Prepares wage withholding and National Medical Support notices to employers, works to issue lien releases on property with title holders, title companies, insurance companies, or third parties.  
• Monitors cases for delinquency. Provides outreach to paying parents by phone or letter prior to initiating appropriate administrative enforcement remedies (license suspension, account seizure, lien or passport releases, etc.), filing of civil contempt actions, or making criminal non-support referrals to the Dunn County District Attorney’s office.
• Conducts paternity interviews and coordinates legal documents as required for paternity actions including documentation for Vital Records. Conducts on-site genetic testing and ensures chain of custody requirements are met.
• Initiates and responds to interstate and international case actions in accordance with the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act (UIFSA) guidelines and foreign reciprocal agreements. 
• Reviews participants’ case accounts to calculate deficiencies and purge amounts or payments.
• Conducts reviews of existing obligations as required. Obtains current financial information, placement schedules, and other family status changes prior to making a recommendation. Attempts to reach settlement agreements with case participants or private attorneys prior to bringing a court action for proposed modification. 
• Compiles written case summary and provides recommendations on all scheduled cases for Corporation Counsel’s review prior to pre-judgment establishment and post-judgment enforcement/review hearings. Testifies in court as a witness for the State as needed. 
• Drafts legal documents needed for pre and post judgment court actions, effectuates service of process, and drafts proposed orders for Corporation Counsel’s review/approval.
• Interprets and explains relevant statutes, regulations, and procedures to case participants. Explains the responsibilities and role of the Child Support Agency in establishing paternity, a legal obligation for support, and the enforcement of support orders. Provides resources for employment, assistance programs, legal counsel, and/or other local resources.  
• Responds in a timely and courteous manner to written correspondence, telephone calls, agency appointments or walk-ins.
• Maintains accurate documentation on all client contacts in the Kids Information Data System (KIDS).
• Logs mail correspondence and takes any necessary follow-up action.
• Maintains knowledge of and proficiency in multiple data systems, policies, and procedures as needed to manage casework. Keeps current with laws, rules and other regulations pertaining to the Child Support Program. Participates in staff meetings and attends training sessions as scheduled.     
• Provides back-up coverage for the Legal Secretary position.
• Performs other relevant and related duties as assigned. 

Minimum Qualifications

MINIMUM EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS:
EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Associate’s Degree in Human Services, Criminal Justice, Paralegal or other related field.

• Minimum of two (2) years previous experience in an office setting with responsibilities and substantial public contact.

• Prior to hire, a Department of Justice (DOJ) criminal background check and fingerprinting will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position.

• Knowledge of Kids Information Data System (KIDS) preferred 
• Keyboarding skills of 65+ wpm
• Notary Public eligible

• Thorough knowledge of related industry, organization and department policies, practices and procedures; legal guide, best practices, ordinance and laws.
• Knowledge of case management processes; interviewing techniques to obtain financial, medical, employment, relationship, and other sensitive information.
• Ability to manage time effectively handling multiple projects while adapting to constant changes in priority. 

• Produce a high volume of work within established deadlines with minimal direction and supervision.
• Knowledge of Wisconsin statutes pertaining to child support.

• Ability to prepare court documents and orders timely and accurately.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of office files and records, use discretion with clients, possess a non-judgmental attitude and maintain a professional demeanor.
• Thorough knowledge of standard office equipment and standard office software.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective and professional working relationships with co-workers and the general public.
• Ability to follow Dunn County policies and procedures.

• Ability to work the allocated hours of the position.

• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with other staff members, supervisors, and community members in written and verbal form. 

• English skills (oral, written and comprehension) sufficient to effectively communicate with all internal and external customers.

• Must have ability to work accurately with attention to detail.
• Ability to prepare and maintain accurate and concise records and reports.
• Ability to exercise good judgment when interpreting and applying program laws, policies, procedures and guidelines to casework.

• Moderate math skills; add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals; locate routine mathematical errors; compute rate, ratio and percent.

Physical and Work Environment

PHYSICAL AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The physical and work environments described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions. 
 
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Physical effort will typically require infrequent exertion of objects weighing up to 10 pounds.
• Continuous speaking or hearing and using hands to key, handle or feel; frequent sitting; and occasional standing, walking, and reaching with hands and arms.

• Work has standard vision requirements.
• Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word.
• Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.

• Work is generally in a moderately noisy location (e.g. business office, light traffic). 
• Work has no exposure to environmental conditions.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Dunn County is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.

By applying for this position, you acknowledge that you have read our job posting in its entirety and meet the basic requirements outlined above. Dunn County looks forward to reviewing your application.