About the Department
This position is open until filled.
The Human Resources Office is unable to provide status updates by telephone.
The salary range is listed above. Starting salary will depend on qualifications and experience.
Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit:
To provide child support services to both public assistance and non-public assistance clients. Take applications for child support assistance, assist in location of non-custodial parents, establish cases, and enforce court orders for financial and medical support for children. Includes court appearances representing the Department and utilizing law, rules and policies in securing court orders and modifications. Coordinate court cases with contracted Child Support Attorney and with designated Sheriff’s office employee. Strive to achieve established federal goals for collections, paternity establishment, cases under order, collection rate and payment to arrears, as and well as established self-assessment goals.
Primary Purpose of Position:
Provide child support services to public assistance and non-public assistance clients. Assists families in locating non-custodial parents and enforcing court orders for financial and medical support for children. Seeks to maximize child support collections within program guidelines for the benefit of children and families in Vance County. Prepare cases and represent the Department in court while following statutes and regulations to secure court orders. Maintain cases and adhere to timelines and other requirements in completion of work. Communicate with internal partners in other Units to assure that appropriate information is shared.
Position Duties
DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:
Facilitates communication between custodial and non-custodial parents, Works with clients and outside agencies and establishes paternity, by DNA testing.
Generates show cause orders, schedules hearings; testifies in court; negotiates with defendants and attorneys.
Modifies support requirements; prepares court documents including complaints, motions and orders and send to the Attorney. Works in collaboration with local, state, and federal departments to obtain documentary evidence and other sensitive information.
Utilizes ACTS, Vine, Equifax, Online data, Share Point, NC Fast, Employers and other resources to collect data information or verification to ensure accurate worksheet calculations and enforcement. Files documents, letters, and related materials in case files.
Gathers and prepares documents for court proceedings. Conducts data entry, modification and verification in the state child support system (ACTS). Assess customer needs, providing information on their accounts and/or referring them to in-house specialized services and/or community services offered by partnering agencies. Locate no-custodial parents that are behind on their child support order and filing court orders.
Prepares the disposition calendar; records note in case event files; drafts court orders; Income withholdings; Liens; workman’s compensation; and send correspondence to applicable parties. Maintains and updates case files, records, and reports.
Perform other duties as assigned by the agency director to include emergency duty and assisting with displaced children and/or adults.
Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned by Child Support Unit Supervisor or DSS agency leadership.
OTHER POSITION CHARACTERISTICS:
1. Accuracy Required in Work: Investigation and preparation of cases and determining the course of action needed, presenting cases and reviewing evidence, negotiating agreements with the non-custodial parent, testimony in court, and coordination with agency attorney all require accuracy and attention to detail. Must be aware of applicable laws and regulations, and able to understand sets of data and reports.
2. Consequence of Error: Decisions could result in incorrect calculation of child support owed to custodial parents. There could be legal consequences and damage to agency credibility.
3. Instructions Provided to Employee: Supervisor provides instructions and information, answers questions, and supports employee in performing assigned tasks. Agency attorney reviews work in preparation for cases in court. Consultation is received from State Program Consultant.
4. Guides, Regulations, Policies and References Used by Employee: Child Support Enforcement Manual and policies, applicable laws, rules, and procedures, and ACTS system guidelines. Information and letters from State Child Support Section, computer programs, general statutes and other resources are utilized.
5. Supervision Received by Employee: Directly supervised by Child Support Unit Supervisor. Regular conferences are held along with consultation as needed.
6. Variety and Purpose of Personal Contacts: Daily contacts with other staff of Child Support as well as with Clerk-of-Court’s office, attorneys, staff of other DSS Units (Reception, Security Guard, Child Welfare, Medicaid, Work First, and FNS). Sharing of information is performed regarding cases within the bounds of confidentiality. Communication with clients, non-custodial parents, Sheriff’s Office, employers regarding NCP employment, other state Child Support staff.
7. Physical Effort: Minimal physical efforts is required. High level of attention to focus on details of cases and to multi-task when needed.
8. Work Environment and Conditions: Work is in a comfortable office environment. Child Support Section has a separate area with work cubicles. May need to attend court or travel to attend training.
9. Machines, Tools, Instruments, Equipment, and Materials Used: Computer, phone, copier, shredder, calculator, fax machine, other office tools.
10. Visual Attention, Mental Concentration, and Manipulative Skills: Reviewing policy material, reports and records. Information in ACTS requires visual attention and mental concentration. Keying information into the computer. Keeping up with system changes and case information.
11. Safety for Others: Clients and non-custodial parents may become angry and hostile. Requires preparation for measures and communication with Security Guard at DSS. Assure that doors are closed/locked when leaving common areas. Follow agency and county safety protocols.
12. Dynamics of Work: Work requires flexibility in planning day-to-day work activities. Requires organization and planning with being responsible to emerging needs. Requires communication with a number of internal and external individuals. May be stressful when deadlines are present.
Minimum Qualifications
KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:
Thorough knowledge of Child Support Enforcement Program and applicable legal procedures; considerable ability to interview clients, absent parents and related sources, and to investigate cases; considerable ability to organize, analyze, and summarize case information; basic math skills; ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients and absent parents, location resources, offices of the Clerk of Court, Magistrates, District Attorney, Sheriff, other court officials, and private attorneys.
Required Minimum Training:
A four year degree and six months experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary, or legal work that provides knowledges, skills and abilities needed to perform the work; or an associate’s degree in business administration, human resources, law enforcement or closely related degree and two years of experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary, or legal work that provides knowledges, skills and abilities needed to perform the work; or graduation from high school and three years of experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary, or legal work that provides knowledges, skills and abilities needed to perform the work; or an equivalent combination of educations and experience.
Other Qualifications
Work Schedule - Standard office hours are Monday – Friday from 8:30 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. There may be occasions in which after-hours work is required
Work Conditions - Employees work in an office setting.
Hazards - Employees have frequent contact with hostile clients and absent parents, some who are potentially dangerous.
Please Note:
If offered a position, official transcripts/verification of education must be submitted directly to the Human Resources Office from the educational institution(s) listed on application. Positions requiring a minimum education/certification must also have official documents submitted to the Human Resources Office. Unofficial transcripts may be submitted by the candidate with the application for consideration of meeting minimum job requirements.