Child Support Agent II

Alexander County, NC; Taylorsville (NC); On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Alexander County, NC is seeking a Child Support Investigator responsible for in-depth investigation and preparation of cases for court, enforcement of support orders, and gathering information from state systems to establish paternity and child support obligations.

You will file pleadings, attend hearings with the DSS Attorney, locate non-custodial parents, schedule client interviews, compute worksheets, and ensure accurate case files within required timeframes.

Qualifications

• Thorough knowledge of the Child Support Enforcement Program and applicable legal procedures.
• Ability to interview clients, absent parents and related sources; investigate cases; summarize information.
• Basic math skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, absent parents, and court officials.

Responsibilities

• Ensures case files docketed for court are prepared within established timeframes.
• Calculates arrearages and other financial adjustments.
• Prepares cases and necessary legal/administrative documents for review by attorney/supervisor.
• Accesses state systems and internet resources to obtain relevant case information.
• Files legal pleadings, orders and other documents with Clerk of Court.
• Enters docket numbers and court dates into the state computer system.
• Attends court with the DSS Attorney and assists in case resolution; records dispositions.
• Records case information related to enforcement of child support obligations.
• Completes attorney-directed court follow-up such as discovery and motions.
• Reviews cases for establishment of paternity, child support, and medical insurance.
• Schedules client and non-custodial parent interviews to obtain information.
• Compiles data for worksheets for child support orders.
• Issues civil actions to establish child support obligations.
• Prepares establishment cases for court hearings.
• Evaluates cases for appropriate paternity; establish for those born out of wedlock.
• Orders birth certificates and affidavits of parentage.
• Issues civil actions against putative fathers who do not cooperate.
• Sends employment letters and locate information letters.
• Performs other duties; participates in emergency preparedness as required.

Skills

Interviewing

Investigation

Basic math

Relationship building

Education

Four year degree in related field with experience

Associate degree in related field + 2 years experience

High school diploma + 3 years experience

Equivalent combination of education and experience

Job description

An employee in this class is responsible for in-depth investigation and preparation of cases for court, the enforcement of court support orders, and variables affecting a case and the independent role in presenting cases, with the attorney, in the courtroom. The work involves location of absent parents, determining through affidavits, DNA testing, the paternity of an absent parent, and establishing a child support obligation either by voluntary means or court action. Employees are required to be flexible, patient, kind, courteous, and able to multi-task easily. Precision and accuracy is required in all aspects of this position. The agent must be consistent and make appropriate decisions. Work is performed under direct supervision of the Child Support Supervisor I.

• Ensures case files docketed for court are prepared by reviewing the appropriate documents and case information within established timeframes.
• Calculates arrearages and other financial adjustments.
• Prepares cases and the necessary legal and/or administrative documents for review and approval by attorney and/or supervisor.
• Accesses system data, including state systems which provide information on employment, birth verification, social security information system, electronic parent locator network; and appropriate internet resources to obtain relevant case information.
• Files legal pleadings, orders and other legal documents with Clerk of Court.
• Enters docket numbers and court dates into state computer system.
• Attends court with the DSS Attorney and actively assists in case resolution. Enters court dispositions into the state system.
• Records in the automated and/or hardy copy case file all necessary information related to the enforcement of a child support obligation.
• Completes attorney-directed court follow-up such as discovery, subpoenas, and motions within required time frames.
• Reviews cases for establishment of paternity, child support, and medical insurance.
• Schedules interviews with client and non-custodial parents to obtain information.
• Compiles data for the purposes of calculating work sheets for child support orders.
• Issues civil actions to establish child support obligations.
• Prepares establishment cases for court hearings.
• Evaluates each case and the children in the case for appropriate paternity.
• Establishment for those born out of wedlock or those born to a marriage when the legal father is not the biological father.
• Orders birth certificates and affidavits of parentage.
• Issues civil actions against putative fathers who do not cooperate with the child support office in establishing paternity.
• Sends employment letters and postmaster letters for locate information.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• In the event of an emergency, as determined by the County Manager or designee, participation in preparedness and response operations is expected. Employee is required to fill a temporary assignment in a role different from standard duties, work hours and/or work location in preparation for, during, and after the emergency. Employee is also required to participate in relevant exercises and regular preparedness training.

• Thorough knowledge of the 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.

• Four year degree and six months experience in eligibility, investigative, judiciary, or legal work that provides knowledge’s, skills and abilities needed to perform the work; or
• 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 knowledge’s, 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 knowledge’s, skills and abilities needed to perform the work; or
• Equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Possess a valid NC Driver's License.
• G.S. 153A-94.2(b) requires all counties and cities in North Carolina to conduct SBI criminal history record checks, including fingerprinting, for all applicants and employees in positions that involve working with children in any capacity.
• G.S. 143B-1209.16 requires all applicants and current employees who access federal tax information to undergo a criminal background check, including fingerprinting.