Child Support Agent (High Point)

Guilford County Government; High Point (NC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Guilford County Government seeks a Child Support Investigator to locate absent parents, establish paternity, and enforce or modify child support orders across single-parent households.

You will work with courts, law enforcement, and the general public, maintain caseloads in ACTS, interview participants, and prepare cases for court. This role requires a four‑year degree (or equivalent) and strong investigative, analytical, and communication skills. Driving may be necessary.

Qualifications

• Four-year degree preferred.
• OR an Associate Degree with two years of relevant experience.
• OR high school diploma with four years of relevant work experience.

Responsibilities

• Investigates and locates absent parents.
• Maintains caseloads in the ACTS system.
• Responds to participant questions and concerns.
• Interviews and negotiates with program participants.
• Prepares and presents cases in court.
• Establishes paternity and legal support obligations.
• Contacts and confers with parents, magistrates, attorneys and law enforcement.
• Maintains support payment records and overall case compliance.
• Performs collections activities.
• Performs other duties related as assigned.

Skills

Investigative procedures

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Report writing

Education

Bachelor's degree

Associate degree

High school diploma

Job description

General Statement of Duties

This position works to establish paternity, support, enforce orders and modify orders for children in single parent households, including those where one parent lives in another state. The position works to enable single parent households and custodians of children to be self sufficient.

Distinguishing Features of the Class

An employee in this class is responsible for investigating and locating the parents of minor dependent children to determine if the parent is capable of contributing to the support of the child. The employee must be familiar with investigative procedures and techniques used in a child support office. Work requires considerable firmness and tact in dealing with the parents of minors. A high degree of resourcefulness and the ability to interpret and apply a variety of procedures and regulations is required. Work is performed under general supervision and is evaluated through reports, conferences and public reaction.

Duties and Responsibilities

Essential Duties

• Investigates and locates absent parents of children through contacts with former employers, the court system, law enforcement agencies, tax records and the general public.
• Maintains caseloads in the ACTS system.
• Responds to participant questions and concerns.
• Manages reports.
• Interviews and negotiates with program participants.
• Prepares and presents cases in court.
• Establishes paternity and legal support obligations and/or monitors and initiates procedures for enforcing child support payments.
• Contacts and confers with the parent, magistrates, attorneys and other law enforcement agencies to ensure proper paternity for child.
• Maintains support payment records and overall case compliance through use of monthly reports and system generated reminders.
• Performs collections activities by utilizing methods such as (but not limited to): telephone contact, mail/email, court action, etc.
• Performs other duties related as assigned.

Recruitment Standards

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Considerable knowledge of investigative procedures and techniques.
• Ability to analyze, evaluate and recommend appropriate child support action.
• Ability to communicate effectively with parents of minor dependent children, law enforcement agencies and judiciary personnel to obtain pertinent information.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with other employees and the general public.
• Ability to present information orally or in report form.

Minimum Qualifications

• Four-year degree, preferably in related field;
• OR, an Associate Degree, preferably in related field, and two years of experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary, or legal work that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the work;
• OR, high school graduate and four years of experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary, or legal work that provides the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to perform the work.

The primary work location may vary based on business and operational needs. Employees in this position must be available to work at either the Greensboro or High Point office as assigned.

Physical Demands and Work Conditions

Must be able to physically perform the basic life operational functions of walking, lifting, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing and repetitive motion. Must be able to perform light work exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Must possess the visual acuity to prepare and analyze data and figures, accounting, operate a computer terminal, and do extensive reading.

May Require Driving

This position may require driving for this position whether driving a County owned or personal vehicle to conduct county business such as but not limited to attending conferences, meetings, or any other county related functions. Motor Vehicle Reports may be verified for valid driver's license and that the driving record is compatible with the county's driving criteria. If a personal vehicle is operated for county business proper insurance is maintained as per Guilford County's vehicle use policy.

Special Note

This generic class description gives an overview of the job class, its essential job functions and recommended job requirements. However, for each individual position assigned to this class, there is available a completed job description with physical abilities checklist which can be reviewed before initiating a selection process. They can provide additional detailed information on which to base various personnel actions and can assist management in making legal defensible personnel decisions.