Case Worker

Sac and Fox Tribe of Iowa; Tama (IA); On-site; USD 38,000 - 58,000; Full time

Job summary

Sac and Fox Tribe of Iowa's Meskwaki Child Support Services seeks a Case Worker to manage tribal child support cases, conduct interviews, coordinate court proceedings, and ensure compliance with federal, state, and Meskwaki guidelines.

The role requires a BA/BS in Liberal Arts with 2 years in human services or child support, willingness to travel for conferences, background check, and pre-employment drug testing. Annual salary depends on qualifications and OCSS funding.

Qualifications

• Must possess a BA/BS in Liberal Arts with 2 years' experience in human service or child support field
• Prefer experience working the Meskwaki Indian children or families
• Experience with Tribal or District Court systems
• Must be or able to obtain Notary in the State of Iowa
• Must be bondable

Responsibilities

• Maintains a professional environment in the MNCSS office
• Gains knowledge of federal child support rules and laws
• Learn and follow MNCSS policies and relevant tribal and federal regulations
• Reviews and processes applications for Child Support services
• Responds to inquiries regarding MNCSS or cases
• Conducts interviews with custodial and non-custodial parents
• Arranges buccal swabs for genetic testing when indicated
• Reviews cases and takes appropriate action
• Identify collection actions to minimize family conflict
• Consults with Case Management Supervisor to refer to Meskwaki Elders Circle
• Prepares paperwork for Locate activities, Service of Process, court hearings, orders, etc.
• Notifies parties regarding continuances or rescheduling
• Maintains confidential records and adheres to confidentiality agreements
• Cooperates with Financial Specialist for notices and updates
• Travels locally, regionally, and nationally for conferences and trainings
• Pre-employment drug testing is mandatory; Native American Preference
• Must submit to background investigation
• Direct supervision by the MNCSS Case Manager
• Annual salary range dependent on qualifications and OCSS grant funding

Education

BA/BS in Liberal Arts

Job description

TITLE: Case Worker DEPARTMENT: Meskwaki Child Support Services

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintains a professional environment in the MNCSS office
• Gains excellent knowledge of the federal child support rules and laws
• Learn and follow the MNCSS Policy & Procedure Manual, relevant Meskwaki Nation laws, and relevant federal and state regulations to carry out all case management functions
• Reviews and processes all applications for Child Support services received by the MNCSS in accordance with MNCSS Policy and Procedure Manual
• Responds courteously and in a timely manner to inquiries from other jurisdictions, current customers or the general public regarding MNCSS or current child support cases in accordance with the MNCSS Policy and Procedure Manual.
• Has primary responsibility for MNCSS Tribal cases
• Conducts in-office and telephone interviews with custodial and non-custodial parents
• Arranges for buccal swabs for genetic testing when indicated for paternity establishment
• Reviews child support cases and takes the next appropriate action on the cases in a timely manner in accordance with MNCSS Policy and Procedure Manual
• Identify and utilize all collection actions on cases with the goal of minimizing family conflict by working first with the non-custodial parent to obtain cooperation when possible
• Consults with the Case Management Supervisor to refer cases to Meskwaki Elders Circle for counseling and mediation
• Prepares necessary paperwork for:
• Locate activities
• Service of Process
• Genetic testing and Paternity actions
• Court hearings
• Establishment of child support orders
• Enforcement of child support orders, including income withholding orders
• Modification of child support orders
• Recognition of orders from foreign jurisdictions (pursuant to full faith and credit)
• Reviews current and past due debt obligations with the assistance of MNCSS Financial Specialist by referring to the Meskwaki Nation Child Support Guidelines and the MNCSS Policy and Procedures Manual
• Informs the Financial Specialist about new or modified child support orders
• Assists the Staff Attorney by preparing files for court and requests current payment history reports, when applicable, from the MNCSS Financial Specialist
• Works closely with the Tribal Court Staff to schedule child support court cases on the upcoming court docket
• Attends child support hearings at the Tribal Court when requested; may be required to appear as a witness for the tribal Staff Attorney or presenting officer in child support cases
• Notifies all parties concerned regarding continuances, cancellations and rescheduling of court hearings by phone, mail or personal service
• Ensures strict adherence to MNCSS, federal and state confidentiality agreements
• Meticulously maintains child support files by keeping clear records of actions, conversations, and correspondence; effective maintenance of automated records may also be required
• Cooperates with the MNCSS Financial Specialist to provide child support collection notices when requested
• Maintains a positive working relationship with other tribal programs and local and regional employers to ensure the MNCSS payment procedures are followed
• Works with State TANF/FIP counterparts to provide status updates whenever requested
• Cooperates and effectively communicates with the Child Support and court staff of other jurisdictions on intergovernmental child support cases; refer cases to other Child Support programs when necessary using the approved federal transmittal forms
• Works closely with other Tribes, States and County Child Support staff on cases that have been transferred to MNCSS
• Provides community outreach and educational awareness to the Meskwaki community regarding MNCSS and the services it offers
• Attends trainings that pertain to child support case management
• Must possess excellent customer service skills with the general public, including maintaining tact, diplomacy, and flexibility when dealing with different personality of clients who call or appear in person at MNCSS, stressful situations and potential hostile people
• Possess strong work ethic and organizational skills with special attention to detail
• Assists MNCSS Director in the preparation of narrative and statistical reports for both tribal government offices and the Federal Office of Child Support Enforcement (OCSE) pursuant to established policy and procedures and federal regulations
• Maintains high ethical standards for himself/herself and MNCSS by adhering to strict confidentiality standards; signs a confidentiality statement upon employment with MNCSS
• Complies with the law of the Tribe and, at all times, acts in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of MNCSS
• Performs other duties as needed or assigned by the immediate supervisor

REQUIREMENTS:

Must possess a BA/BS in Liberal Arts with 2 years' experience in human service or child support field

Prefer experience working the Meskwaki Indian children or families

Experience with Tribal or District Court systems

Must be or able to obtain Notary in the State of Iowa

Must be bondable

Must be able to efficiently operate office equipment, including a computer workstation, computer software, 10-key adding machine, copy and fax machines, printers and telephones

Must have a working practice of Microsoft Office applications

Must be able to record information accurately and efficiently, maintain computerized records

Must possess excellent customer service skills with the general public, including maintaining tact, diplomacy and flexibility when dealing with different personality of clients who call or appear in person at MNCSS, stressful situations and potentially hostile people.

Ability to maintain confidentiality of sensitive information

Possess strong work ethic and organizational skills with special attention to detail

Travel as required, local, regional and national for conferences, meetings, and trainings

Must possess a valid Driver's License and have a good driving record

Pre-employment drug testing is mandatory for all Meskwaki Nation positions.

Native American Preference, knowledge of Meskwaki culture and tradition

Must submit to and successfully pass a background investigation

SUPERVISION: Direct supervision by the Meskwaki Child Support Services (MNCSS) Case Manager

ANNUAL SALARY RANGE:Dependent on Qualifications and OCSS Grant Funding